Help needed to understand

[worried100]

Hi all

I started my meds on the 15th of feb and was scared as hell! but was plesently suprised untill day 12 when i got oral thrush and a real bad headache, it feels like a sinus type of headache but the doctors dont seemed to concerned and told me to keep an eye on it(they asked if i felt dizzy/how my eyes are etc)

Could the outbreak in oral thrush have anything to do with my headaches? (they come and go)
I am taking fluconazole for the thrush and also a mouthwash.

My CD4 count on starting meds was 140 and VL was 17,000

I asked if it could be IRIS but docs say it doesnt normally happen with people with cd4 counts over 100(its possible but not likely, i got told)

I am on Truvada, Prezista and Norvir

Why am i getting thrush if my immune system is getting stronger??

Many thanks

[roy100]

The key mark for not getiing fungus infections is between 200 to 250 CD4.
Acording to my Dr.

When you get it, wich is like every month before reaching that level, you need to take Fluconazole, from 5 to 10 days,  dependign on the severity.

Dont worry, your Cd4 will climb and you will get rit of this nasty visitor.

[worried100]

Thank you for your reply

How would i know if thrush was affecting my esophagus(sp)

After taking my second dose of Fluconazole today i felt like there was a lot of mucus needing clearing out and a gritty feeling (I dont know how to explain)

I do have a pain that comes and goes behind my breastbone but i doesnt stop me eating and i can swallow ok. I have had CXR and nothing was on that.

Any ideas??

[roy100]

Hi again :

The only way to know if you have trhush ( Candida in your esophagus) is with an endoscopy.
Actually it can  make more harm than good , as the endoscope can irritate more the esopahgus and lead to other infections.

Actually when you start a treatment for candida, which can be anywhere from the skin, to the mouth to your esopahgus, you would take Fluconazole.

10 to 15  days of Fluconazole will get rid of any candida growth in your esophagus.( I only took it for 10 days)
That was exactly my case, at the begining of my treatmen I had a nasty Dr, that instead of giving me confort, he would charge his fee, and make me do all kinds of stuff to keep me busy
Finally after he gave the order for endoscopy, I thought the nasty SB just send me througt the tube.

Thats when I started going with another Infectiologist.
And told me anybody taking the medication your are taking would  feel very nasty until you get use to the medication.
He said no need for an endoscopy, as it would be worse for you.
Gave a prescription for generic Fluconazole. And fine.


From there on after you have 200 to 250 cd4 , do take the fluconazole for about 3 to 4 days every month.
Yo shoudl know very easyly if you have candida, as in your tooth you would get a white coating that you can actually scratch of with your nail. It will always come back if you dont take the fluconazole

You know that actually the candida in your intestins where it also go, can give you bad absortion of your food, making you anemic and weak?

So do try the fluconazole, it will make the whole difference.

Cheers.