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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: ds4146 on February 24, 2013, 08:20:53 pm

Title: Well shit.....
Post by: ds4146 on February 24, 2013, 08:20:53 pm
So I have gone from undetected of less than 20 to a plus 60, ugh. CD4 from 368 to 260, however the percentage went from 23 to 26.

I have not missed any meds, religious about taking them. I will most likely not wait the six months for new testing which I have been doing for a while now.

I don't think of myself as too much of a worrier when it comes to this, but for some reason this one has me a bit worried and I guess that is why I'm writing this.

No major issues except for being tired, I work a lot, so maybe I just need to slow down.

Okay just needed to get this out. Maybe I'll try The Big W's diet and see if that helps!
Title: Re: Well shit.....
Post by: WillyWump on February 24, 2013, 08:29:17 pm
I dont think this is really anything to worry about. although I know it's hard for us not to worry.



 Maybe I'll try The Big W's diet and see if that helps!

No, don't do that, I just recently lost half my CD4's.
Title: Re: Well shit.....
Post by: Jeff G on February 24, 2013, 08:53:33 pm
Willy is correct . You will see some ups and downs but the percentage going up is an indication you are on the right track .

I mentioned to my doc that my cd4 was climbing very nicely and she reminded that my labs were good and trending well but she also reminded that the higher than normal cd4 counts could be due to the fact I am now having labs drawn in the afternoon instead of early morning like we have done for years . Higher Cd4 counts are something that can take years to achieve , so steady goes the race .   
Title: Re: Well shit.....
Post by: leatherman on February 24, 2013, 09:12:11 pm
So I have gone from undetected of less than 20 to a plus 60, ugh. CD4 from 368 to 260, however the percentage went from 23 to 26.
Okay just needed to get this out. Maybe I'll try The Big W's diet and see if that helps!
cd4s can change by 100 pts within one day, so this change between 2 tests doesn't mean much. That percentage however, does show that you're still in your "normal" range. Remember you should always consider your cd4 counts not by a one-off test but by the trend over 3 or more tests.

just a few years about <=400 viral load was considered UD and it's only down to <20 now because the test have improved so much. Staying under 100 is basically no change. When you're viral load jumps into the thousands, that's when to start worrying.  ;)

if I were you I wouldn't bother testing again for another 3-4 months; but I can understand how this probably bothers you. Trust me though. In another 20 yrs. tiny changes like these recent results you got won't even make you think twice. What did your doctor have to say about these results?? I'm guessing he/she wasn't too worried, right? ;)
Title: Re: Well shit.....
Post by: DrewEm on February 25, 2013, 02:34:26 am
As the others have said, the per centage is the number to watch. My numbers bounce all over but as a percentage viral load have been decreasing. One of the biggest helps to my recent stats has beena very good dental cleaning.

I didn't change anything prior to my recent labs (call me a student of the scientific procedure) except going to a dental school for treatment. My local ASO sent me to a dental school with a Ryan White card because the dental plan my employer offers is, well, piss poor. The plan covered so little, I paid a bit and Ryan White picked up some. And, I can say, it really wasn't that bad. So, look for a dental school which accepts "RW" - the students will appreciate it as we have the most complete medical histories - something the students must have if they ask you to be a "boards exam" patient.
Title: Re: Well shit.....
Post by: ds4146 on February 25, 2013, 09:27:24 pm
Thank you guys!

Yup I will definitely be getting labs in three months this time versus the six months just to be safe.

It was the undetectable that caused the angst, but I will worry about that tomorrow, or in three months Ms. Scarlett!
Title: Re: Well shit.....
Post by: Jeff G on February 25, 2013, 09:32:13 pm
Thank you guys!

Yup I will definitely be getting labs in three months this time versus the six months just to be safe.

It was the undetectable that caused the angst, but I will worry about that tomorrow, or in three months Ms. Scarlett!

I hate to use the F word but you are doing Fabulous    ;) .
Title: Re: Well shit.....
Post by: thunter34 on February 25, 2013, 09:46:10 pm
I was going to say what leather said.  I think the tests they give at the ADAP clinic here in Atlanta may still be of the higher 60 or 80 style because they are cheaper.  At least that was what they were going with the last time I thought to ask.

So if you were here, you'd still be declared UD. 

No worries.  None at all.