Undetectables....I have a question

[racingmind]

For those of you out there with undetectable viral loads....

Did you feel better after your viral load diminished?  I am not on any meds yet, but I have been dealing with inflamed lymph nodes, periods of slight dizziness, and general fatigue.  I have a viral load of 100,000+. (CD4:442 (28%). It's almost as if I can feel the virus going to town on my body sometimes.

Do you think that I might feel better after going on meds and getting my viral load down? 

Any experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dxx

[blondbeauty]

I feel better since starting meds but I am not undetectable.

[newt]

Better since meds, like world's better after 5 days.

a viral infection, flu whatever, makes you feel tired

- matt

[J.R.E.]

For those of you out there with undetectable viral loads....

Did you feel better after your viral load diminished? 

Hello Racing ,

ABSOLUTELY ! I went from a viral load of 500,000 to <50, within 7 weeks of starting meds, back in 2003. My percentage at that time was around 3%. T-cells were at 16.

 I was also fortunate enough not to suffer any ill effects from the medication. I started feeling better, within a couple days of starting meds. The issues of fatigue/dizziness started diminishing. I started sleeping better. The grogginess went away. I was functioning again ! Couldn't stop eating either !!



Ray

[blondbeauty]

I agree with Ray. I have been sleeping better than in the last five years.

[racingmind]

THANKS for your replies....it makes me feel so much better to know that I am not always going to feel like I do now....


 

Dxx

[whizzer]

I felt better about two weeks after starting meds. A few weeks after becoming undetectable (which took me six months), I really started to feel like my old self.  The extreme tiredness was no longer a problem.  I was back to sleeping all night and resting soundly.   I got back in the groove of exercising again, after many failed attempts because I was just too damn tired.  I feel really good now.

Some say meds are a curse, to me they are a godsend.  I am lucky to have very few side effects from my regimen.  I just hope this keeps up.

[Blixer]

I had significantly swollen lymph nodes prior to beginning treatment.  That was actually what led my doctor to do the HIV test in the first place.  Within two months of starting meds my lymph nodes had pretty much returned to normal size.  I never had the fatigue factor though.  So I can't address that issue.  I pretty much am keeping up with my old schedule which includes an average of 6 hours of sleep per night and I'm doing fine.

[catwoman]

I felt better about a week after I started my meds (Jan. '06).  When I was diagnosed (Dec. '05), I had 5 T-cells and my VL was 48,000.  Now, my VL is undetectable and my T-cells are over 200.  I just feel stronger and stronger as time passes.

[megasept]

Dxx: I have never "felt" my HIV. Over 16 years with a VL 43,000 down to as low as undetectable, I have never noticed a change in feeling. I have treated my HIV (no treatment for the last 6 years) so it won't kill me soon or diminish my capacity to enjoy life. I am not always in perfect health. So, if your higher VL is a sign of slightly higher disease progression, then you may well "feel" the improvement in a huge VL drop due to meds, but I have not. Common things like lymph node changes are not the kind of thing I remember months or years later. Good luck! Get treated when it seems best. 
-megasept

[Ihavehope]

Wow Mega

sounds like you have it under control. I was diagnosed last week with the virus and believe I got it about 1 year ago or less. I feel a little different and night sweats but my immune system has been good all my life so I have a good outlook.

[David_CA]

For those of you out there with undetectable viral loads....

Did you feel better after your viral load diminished?  I am not on any meds yet, but I have been dealing with inflamed lymph nodes, periods of slight dizziness, and general fatigue.  I have a viral load of 100,000+. (CD4:442 (28%). It's almost as if I can feel the virus going to town on my body sometimes.

Do you think that I might feel better after going on meds and getting my viral load down? 

My numbers were similar to yours... they bounced up and down a bit, but weren't far off.  I was having night sweats, fatigue, a few skin issues, and most recently ended up in the hospital for 8 days with PCP.  I wouldn't have thought I was a 'candidate' for PCP with my CD4's and %, but it happened. 

I've been taking Atripla for about two weeks now with minimal side effects.  I'm on so many other meds at the moment I don't blame a whole lot on the Atripla, 'cept the drunk feeling when I get up in the night to take a leak.  Also, if I take it too early before bed, it's hard to get to sleep. 

The short answer is yes, I feel TONS better since going on meds, even with the few side effects.

David