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Author Topic: My counts are starting to worry me...  (Read 3193 times)

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Offline Buckeyerob75

  • Member
  • Posts: 25
My counts are starting to worry me...
« on: November 29, 2012, 05:45:35 pm »
Hey everyone...

So I went to my ID doc a few weeks ago and had all my blood work done again to follow up on counts, etc.

I've been on Atripla since April of this year so just about 8 months coming up but my CD4 has never climbed above 157. At diagnosis my CD4 was 129 and now it's 157. My viral load is 40 so obviously that's good (and continuing to fall) but I'm puzzled why my CD4 is not coming up. They also tested me for syphilis and all other STD's as I had syphilis and HIV diagnosed at the same time. I was treated with 3 shots for the syphilis in April and my count is still 1:4 today.

I take Atripla consistently at 10pm (or within an hour of it) every single night and have maybe missed 2 doses in 8 months. A buddy of mine who has been poz for 15+ years says that it can take a year or more for the numbers to improve.

Does anybody have any experience with low CD4 counts not coming up or some possible explanation? I have read that once the CD4 drops below 200 some people are never able to get it much higher. Just worries me as this is considered AIDS and the risk for cancers and opportunistic infections goes up dramatically.

Thanks in advance
6/2011- Tested Negative
1/2012- Tested Positive- CD4 180/VL 105,000
4/2012- CD4- 129/VL 29,000
4/2102- Started Atripla
11/2012- CD4- 157/VL 40

Offline buginme2

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,426
Re: My counts are starting to worry me...
« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2012, 08:05:59 pm »
Here is an article recently from UCSF discussing cd4 non-responders.  It should answer most questions regarding this issue.


That said, you started treatment recently.  It does take time.  You can still achieve a substantial cd4 response.  No need to worry yet.  Patience, some just take longer than others


http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite?page=md-expert-hatano
Don't be fancy, just get dancey

Offline Hellraiser

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,155
  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: My counts are starting to worry me...
« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2012, 10:56:17 pm »
Here is an article recently from UCSF discussing cd4 non-responders.  It should answer most questions regarding this issue.


That said, you started treatment recently.  It does take time.  You can still achieve a substantial cd4 response.  No need to worry yet.  Patience, some just take longer than others


http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite?page=md-expert-hatano

Well that's certainly depressing to read.

Some of us just don't respond the same to the medication.  I've been on HAART for 3 years + now and I've gone from 15 to about 250 CD4 count, however every time I visit the doctor my gains a little more and a little more.  This is something that takes time, and at some point I'm sure I will plateau.  There really isn't much you can do to affect it however.  The only thing I've heard is Selzentry or Maraviroc has a beneficial effect on CD4 count.

Offline Anqueetas

  • Member
  • Posts: 116
Re: My counts are starting to worry me...
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2012, 11:49:33 pm »
Sometimes CD4 numbers can be depressing but the most important is that 1.you don't get sick easily, that means you immune system is working all right and 2. You maintain undetectable viral load.

Nobody know how our CD4 pre-infection was, so some people might natural have low CD4 numbers in the first place. So don't get depressed and keep taking your meds.

What your feels also important too, if you feels great and your VL is UD. Enjoy your life and relax.

You will be fine, please take care. I know several people who never get about 200 CD4 but there feel fine.
ARS, hospitalized for very high fever-July 2011
diagnosed HIV positive - October 16 2011
CD4 460 19.5% VL 49000 - late October 2011
CD4 625 19.5% VL 50030 - January 2012
CD4 369 19% VL 69000 - March 2012
Start Sustiva+ Truvada - April 17 2012
CD4 524 24.5% VL UD - August 22 2012
Switch to Nevirapine+Truvada
CD4 490 26% VL UD - November 2012
CD4 539 29% VL UD - February 2013
CD4 621 28% VL UD - May 2013

Offline Buckeyerob75

  • Member
  • Posts: 25
Re: My counts are starting to worry me...
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2012, 12:03:55 am »
Thanks for the information and words of encouragement.

I had cancer about 15 years ago and went through a lot of chemo and radiation so it tore down everything including my immune system. That may likely be the reason for the low CD4 counts today as it may have been low for quite some time prior to HIV.

Thanks again  ;)
6/2011- Tested Negative
1/2012- Tested Positive- CD4 180/VL 105,000
4/2012- CD4- 129/VL 29,000
4/2102- Started Atripla
11/2012- CD4- 157/VL 40

Offline Anqueetas

  • Member
  • Posts: 116
Re: My counts are starting to worry me...
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2012, 03:09:26 am »
Thanks for the information and words of encouragement.

I had cancer about 15 years ago and went through a lot of chemo and radiation so it tore down everything including my immune system. That may likely be the reason for the low CD4 counts today as it may have been low for quite some time prior to HIV.

Thanks again  ;)

It is possible that your bone marrow might be damage from previous chemotherapy.
ARS, hospitalized for very high fever-July 2011
diagnosed HIV positive - October 16 2011
CD4 460 19.5% VL 49000 - late October 2011
CD4 625 19.5% VL 50030 - January 2012
CD4 369 19% VL 69000 - March 2012
Start Sustiva+ Truvada - April 17 2012
CD4 524 24.5% VL UD - August 22 2012
Switch to Nevirapine+Truvada
CD4 490 26% VL UD - November 2012
CD4 539 29% VL UD - February 2013
CD4 621 28% VL UD - May 2013

 


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