latest Results

[Movingon]

Hey all - i haven't posted for a while as i have been concentrating on living a healthier lifestyle and trying to get my head back on since diagnosis in August. I just want to share my latest results with you all

1st set , August 07 . CD4 284, 29% , V/L 98,000

2nd Set , September 07 . CD4 330, 29%, V/L 257,000

3rd set , today, Nov 22 07. CD4 282, 28% , V/L 306,000

I haven't even had a cold, fever or even a runny nose for almost a year, and nothing since diagnosis. I hit the gym most days and feel great, strong and healthy. I even got my cholesterol down from 5.5 (borderline high) to 4.0 (normal) with regualr work outs and a great diet. I still have the odd drink and the odd smoke, but nothing compared to my old habits.

My doctor now thinks i need to start treatment , and there seems to mixed opinion from a few who think i could wait, to others who say whats the point in waiting ? might as well start now.

In my own mind i have resigned myself to the fact that i should probably start now, but its a hard one to swallow especially when i have never felt fitter and healthier in my entire life than i do at the present moment.

Your comments / advice would be appreciated, as i am a bit scared and worried about what the future holds

cheers

[Robert]

I wouldn't start yet.  Your t-cells are OK but the percentage is great.  Why not wait until the new year and see how you feel?

robert

[next2u]

being a newbie myself, please take my advice with caution and understand my lack of experience with the disease. from what i understand, a baseline/trend has not been fully established, but it appears that you are on the threshold of taking the meds. i've spoken to others on this site about the same subject. it appears that taking meds might be a good option, but i believe you should wait for others to comment and talk with your doctor at length on this one. there is contention on when a good star time is, but it is generally accepted that tcells of 350 and below is a good time to start meds. your viral load is meduim/high, but your cd4 percentage looks good.

do you know how long you have been positive? have you looked at the lessons section of this site? i just read some info on the when to start meds debate. i have yet to start meds. i have decided when my tcells are around the low 400's ill probably begin taking them. this, of course, if my cd4 percentage is showing a steady decline also. once again, please take my 2 cents with a grain of salt, i do not have much practical experience in the field. hopefully the others will chime in soon.

let us know how things work out for you bud.

[Movingon]

all i know is that my doctor thinks i have been infected for 3-5 years, and due to the fact that i was a bit of a party animal in my single days, and slept around,  i cant really pin point the time when i might have become infected.

I am quite keen to wait as long as i possibly can before starting treatment, but at the same time i dont want to shaft myself and end up sick , just for the sake of a few months off treatment.

It really is a very tough decision.

Thanks for your advice and kind words

[BT65]

A decision to start meds can only be made between the person and the doctor.  At least that's what I think.  I know there are certain #'s that are usually referenced as far as "when" to start meds.  But the final decision, again, I think is between patient/doctor.  Also it helps if there's faith in the doctor's judgement.