2nd Lab Results. . . . . . .questions questions. . . . . . . .

[audioholic]

ok, got my second test results back. . . . .
my first were                  cd4: 415  vl:  29,800    around (dont remember exact, i think there in my sig.)
and my second are          cd4:354   vl;38,710

I dont really know what to think about this, the doctor said the numbers are still good and i should just come back in a month or two for my next tests.    i mean, both numbers got worse. . . !?!?!?!?    is that just the nature of things??? what can i do in my everyday life to make these better???   should i start meds? its just kinda scary. . . . i dunno. . . .

any and all advice would be grand. . . . and VERY HELPFUL!!. .
thanks in advance. . . .

[milker]

Hi audio,

the numbers show a slight decline in cd4 and non-significant increase in VL. You must have read all over those forums that cd4s go up and down during the course of the day, and that the viral load tests have a 3 times margin of error.

Also this is only the second test, your doctor is right in asking you to come back in two months, get another test and see what the trend is.

What would be interesting to see is your CD4 percentage, do you have it?

What you can do in your everyday life to make those better is be healthy, go out, see friends, and try to not think about those numbers too much

Milker.

[audioholic]

thank you so much milker for the kind words. . . .

does no one else have any pointers or advice? it really would be like uber helpful. . . . . .


anything???

[Life]

Hay Aud...   At this stage, I would get your percentage up on your tag line as Milker suggests....  When you look at all three of these markers, they give us a better idea of what the virus is doin......   I would relax a bit... Your still safe and by no means are you needing to jump into meds.   Now on the other hand,  you should at least begin investigating about what the meds world is all about.  You can ofcourse do all that right here...   That step is in all of our paths...  Take your time and breath... 

Hugs,

Eric

[aztecan]

Hey Audio,

As Milker and Eric said, your numbers are still OK. Since it is only your second set of labs, you really can't be sure what direction things are going. Your doc is being prudent in scheduling another set of labs.

CD4s can vary substantially. Mine have been known to go up and down by 200 to 300.

Keep an eye on the percentage and watch to see what the next lab results show. You are still in the safe zone and there is no reason to get panicky.

As far as keeping yourself healthy, there are no magic potions or vitamins to improve your numbers. But, keeping healthy in general is something all of us should strive for.

If you smoke, consider quitting. Heavy alcohol or recreational drug use should be curtailed.

Eating healthily, getting some exercise and staying properly hydrated are important for overall health as well.

So, make sure you're getting your veggies and fruits, drink plenty of water and take some exercise each day.

If nothing else, it will make you feel better and give you less time to worry.

Keep us posted on how things go for you and how the numbers look.

HUGS,

Mark

[red_Dragon888]

they look ok