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Author Topic: First labs  (Read 4529 times)

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Offline LM

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  • Posts: 409
First labs
« on: August 10, 2011, 03:13:13 pm »
I've seen many people post their first labs here, like a tradition, so I thought I should do the same. So here they are:

CD4: 734
VL: 26,612
CD4/CD8: 38%

My infection is recent, in late March, so my doc thinks that next time my CD4 should be a little higher and my VL should go down a little. Some liver numbers, I don't remember what, were a bit over the limit. Doc said we would monitor that but that it was probably still due to the seroconversion, that I was probably still recovering from that. The rest was fine, no syphilis, HBV, HCV, etc.

I'm not an expert, but I felt kinda relieved with these numbers. Maybe I'm pessimistic, but I was expecting worse. So it made me somewhat happy.

PS: That said, I think I'm in love with my doctor. She is exceedingly beautiful, caring and sweet.  :D

Offline spacebarsux

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,350
  • Survival of the Fittest
Re: First labs
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2011, 06:08:45 pm »
Hey LM, those are pretty good numbers and your CD4 percentage is excellent.  :)

But like everyone keeps saying, its more about the trend. As of now at least, it seems that you could go without meds for quite some time, if you wish.

PS- In case you ask your doctor out on a date make sure you tell her you're Bi (sorry, couldn't resist saying that- only joking. She already knows you have HIV  ;) )
Infected-  2005 or early 2006; Diagnosed- Jan 28th, 2011; Feb '11- CD4 754 @34%, VL- 39K; July '11- CD4 907@26%,  VL-81K; Feb '12- CD4 713 @31%, VL- 41K, Nov '12- CD4- 827@31%

Offline eric48

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Re: First labs
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2011, 07:48:06 pm »
CD4: 734
VL: 26,612
CD4/CD8: 38%

Heaven can wait !!!

very enviable numbers

Cheers

Eric
NVP/ABC/3TC/... UD ; CD4 > 900; CD4/CD8 ~ 1.5   stock : 6 months (2013: FOTO= 5d. ON 2d. OFF ; 2014: Clin. Trial NCT02157311 = 4days ON, 3days OFF ; 2015: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02157311 ; 2016: use of granted patent US9101633, 3 days ON, 4days OFF; 2017: added TDF, so NVP/TDF/ABC/3TC, once weekly

Offline WillyWump

  • Member
  • Posts: 7,367
  • EPIC FIERCENESS!
Re: First labs
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2011, 09:02:17 pm »
Pretty sweet numbers.  ;D

It will be real interesting to see what they do over the next 6 to 9 months, hopefully you will be able to forego meds for a while.

Congrats

-Will
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline Since2005

  • Member
  • Posts: 434
Re: First labs
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2011, 11:19:52 pm »
Congratulations! Nice numbers.. Keep up!!

Offline metekrop

  • Member
  • Posts: 428
  • Is time running fast for you.
Re: First labs
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2011, 07:33:13 am »
I've seen many people post their first labs here, like a tradition, so I thought I should do the same. So here they are:

CD4: 734
VL: 26,612
CD4/CD8: 38%

My infection is recent, in late March, so my doc thinks that next time my CD4 should be a little higher and my VL should go down a little. Some liver numbers, I don't remember what, were a bit over the limit. Doc said we would monitor that but that it was probably still due to the seroconversion, that I was probably still recovering from that. The rest was fine, no syphilis, HBV, HCV, etc.

I'm not an expert, but I felt kinda relieved with these numbers. Maybe I'm pessimistic, but I was expecting worse. So it made me somewhat happy.

PS: That said, I think I'm in love with my doctor. She is exceedingly beautiful, caring and sweet.  :D

Your numbers are great.  You can wait for sometime without meds. God only knows a cure may come into being in the mean time.   :D
Diag.on 12/8, 2000, CD 440 VL 44K, No Meds
12/08 - 2/09 CD< 50 & VL >500k hosp'z.
St. Atripla - 7/09 CD 179, VL 197k
10/09 CD 300 VL U
3/10 468 U
8/10 460 U
12/10 492 U
3/11 636 U
8/11 530 U
1/12  616 U
7/12 640 U
12/12 669 U
5/13 711 U
11/13 663 U
4/14  797 U
10/14 810 U
4/15 671 U
10/15 694 U
3/16 768 U
8/16 459 U
2/22 780 U
8/31 940 U
2/26 809 U
8/18 882 U
3/28 718 U
8/15 778 U
2/25 920 70
8/11 793 U
2/22 690 U
6/8 834 U

Offline LM

  • Member
  • Posts: 409
Re: First labs
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2011, 02:39:29 pm »
Thank you so much guys, your comments are really, really appreciated. They sure give me strength.  :)

metekrop, it will be great if I can wait a good number of years before taking meds, just so I can try to be in a better financial situation and afford better drugs when the time comes. As for a cure, bless you and your words. But we have to be realistic, and taking meds, like leatherman once told me, is much better than being dead.

spacebarsux, not that topic again, lol. Actually, I did tell her I swung both ways, she was quite curious about it as she didn't get it how it "worked". So I gave her that Italian/Japanese food talk and she found it interesting. She is just great. But she is married, good girls like her don't stay single that long. Besides, asking your HIV doc out on a date sounds wrong in many levels, lol.

and Since2005, your numbers are up next!  ;)

Offline DanMo

  • Member
  • Posts: 235
  • Finally undetectable! ;D
Re: First labs
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2011, 07:09:09 pm »
Wow! Those numbers are great!
“I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo

11 Feb 2011 - Preliminary positive
07 Mar 11 - Inconclusive WB
14 Mar 11 - Diagnosed positive
05 Apr 11 - 355 (21%) / VL: 186,054
27 Apr 11 - 390 (20%) / VL: 285,095
06 Jun 11 - 298 (19%) / VL:  78,380
01 Aug 11 - > STARTED ATRIPLA <
30 Aug 11 - 699 (31%) / VL: 1,938
03 Nov 11 -                / VL: 645
27 Dec 11 - 559 (35%) / VL: 1,189
11 Jan 12 -                 / VL: <20
09 Apr 12 - 686 (40%) / VL: UD
11 Jul 12 - 793 (37%) / VL: 25

Offline Nestor

  • Member
  • Posts: 430
  • What we love, we shall grow to resemble.
Re: First labs
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2011, 11:05:09 pm »

Beautiful numbers--congratulations!  I have never had a % anywhere close to 38, so I envy you.  (I did get a date with a cute doctor at the hospital at Vientiane when I was a patient there, but he wasn't my doctor, so I hope that wasn't wrong on any levels...) 
Summer 2004--became HIV+
Dec. 2005--found out

Date          CD4    %       VL
Jan. '06    725    25      9,097
Nov. '06    671    34     52,202
Apr. '07    553    30      24,270
Sept. '07  685    27       4,849
Jan. '08    825    29       4,749
Mar. '08    751    30     16,026
Aug. '08    653    30       3,108
Oct. '08     819    28     10,046
Jan '09      547    31     13,000
May '09     645   25        6,478
Aug. '09    688   30      19,571
Nov. '09     641    27       9,598
Feb. '10     638    27       4,480
May '10      687      9    799,000 (CMV)
July '10      600     21      31,000
Nov '10      682     24     15,000
June '11     563    23     210,000 (blasto)
July  '11      530    22      39,000
Aug '11      677     22      21,000
Sept. '12    747     15      14,000

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: First labs
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2011, 09:30:38 am »
LM, there's been so much about your bisexuality that I'd completely forgotten that you were only diagnosed this past spring! Those are great numbers when you consider that you believe you became infected shortly before your diagnosis.

And with numbers like those, you really might be someone like me who can go for some time before needing meds. (14 years and counting here) Just make sure you don't ignore your hiv; keep going for bloods at least every three months. That way you can monitor any trend your numbers might take, so you can take action (start meds) when you need to. Don't be tempted to economise by going without regular labs and appointments with your hiv doctor. Good luck!
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline LM

  • Member
  • Posts: 409
Re: First labs
« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2011, 12:05:08 pm »
Thanks all of you for the nice comments.  :)

Beautiful numbers--congratulations!  I have never had a % anywhere close to 38, so I envy you.  (I did get a date with a cute doctor at the hospital at Vientiane when I was a patient there, but he wasn't my doctor, so I hope that wasn't wrong on any levels...) 

Thanks Nestor! Doesn't sound wrong getting a cutie at the hospital, he wasn't your doctor anyway. Maybe I should change doctors and then ask her out. Still, that ring on her hand is a bitch.  :P

LM, there's been so much about your bisexuality that I'd completely forgotten that you were only diagnosed this past spring! Those are great numbers when you consider that you believe you became infected shortly before your diagnosis.

And with numbers like those, you really might be someone like me who can go for some time before needing meds. (14 years and counting here) Just make sure you don't ignore your hiv; keep going for bloods at least every three months. That way you can monitor any trend your numbers might take, so you can take action (start meds) when you need to. Don't be tempted to economise by going without regular labs and appointments with your hiv doctor. Good luck!

That's great to hear, Ann! Gee, you rock even at kicking HIV's ass, huh?  ;D

14 years without meds sounds too lucky for me, but hey, who knows? I thought I would get bad numbers because my immune system has always been shit. If there's a flu season or any other illness around, I'm one of the first to get it. Maybe it was HIV season as well and I didn't know about it. But looks like my body is putting up a good fight, so hang on, my valorous CD4s!

Btw, I'm curious now, how did you manage to be for so long without meds? I mean, like, what has been your average viral load and stuff?

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: First labs
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2011, 06:42:26 am »
I haven't done anything special to stay off meds. It appears that people like me have some sort of genetic component that allows us to handle hiv better than some. Some people handle their virus even better than me - they manage to keep their VL UD and their CD4s tend to be up in the 900s or higher. Those people are referred to as Long Term Non-Progressors or Elite Controllers. (ECs tend to keep their VL UD) I'm a Long Term Slow-Progressor.

A few times in the past couple years, I thought it was going to be time to start, but then my CD4s went back up. Such is life.

I only have numbers records starting in Feb 2001, but was infected in the spring of  '97.

2001-02-22 VL 80,700 CD4 490
2001-03-30 VL 21,000 CD4 997 32%
2001-05-29 VL 43,700 CD4 440
2001-07-10 VL 43,700 CD4 350
2001-08-07 VL 25,000 CD4 480
2001-08-21 VL 00,000 CD4 660
2001-10-08 VL 91,100 CD4 470
2001-12-04 VL 96,200 CD4 620

2002-02-04 VL 21,000 CD4 620
2002-04-11 VL 00,000 CD4 530 26% Started hep C treatment
2002-07-10 VL 00,000 CD4 460 27%
2002-09-11 VL 00,000 CD4 530 26%
2002-10-09 VL 30,300 CD4 322 31%

2003-01-08 VL 17,800 CD4 363 23%
2003-04-02 VL 06,940 CD4 410 Ended hep C treatment
2003-07-07 VL 40,700 CD4 474

2004-01-28 VL 29,900 CD4 518 28%
2004-03-?? VL 07,370 CD4 281 23% had shingles
2004-06-01 VL 07,740 CD4 460 27%
2004-08-30 VL 13,000 CD4 568 26%
2004-11-23 VL 11,000 CD4 645 28%

2005-02-15 VL 03,350 CD4 532 27%
2005-03-29 VL 00,000 CD4 715 28%
2005-06-21 VL 06,580 CD4 660 26%
2005-08-02 VL 00,000 CD4 732 28%
2005-10-12 VL 00,000 CD4 320 25% minor op previous day
2005-11-08 VL 10,200 CD4 786 28%

2006-01-31 VL 12,500 CD4 787 32%
2006-04-25 VL 11,800 CD4 628 29%
2006-07-18 VL 18,400 CD4 550 26%
2006-10-17 VL 14,500 CD4 447 26%

2007-01-16 VL 12,600 CD4 567 26%
2007-04-10 VL 07,610 CD4 441 26%
2007-07-03 VL 05,630 CD4 411 25%
2007-09-25 VL 16,700 CD4 525 27%
2007-12-18 VL 12,900 CD4 299 22%

2008-02-05 VL 13,700 CD4 489 19%
2008-04-29 VL 10,700 CD4 433 26%
2008-07-22 VL 10,200 CD4 314 27%
2008-11-04 VL 03,050 CD4 470 29%

2009-01-27 VL 06,700 CD4 459 25%
2009-04-21 VL 07,390 CD4 399 25%
2009-07-21 VL 35,000 CD4 561 32% New VL assay used
2009-11-03 VL 39,900 CD4 576 26%

2010-02-09 VL 00,000 CD4 392 29%
2010-05-18 VL 20,500 CD4 368 26%
2010-10-12 VL 08,000 CD4 576 28%

2011-01-18 VL 27,500 CD4 332 20%
2011-04-20 VL 38,700 CD4 581 28%

I don't have my numbers from July back yet.

PS - where you see VL 00,000, it's not that I was UD, it's just that the test wasn't done. I've had low VLs, but never UD.
« Last Edit: August 14, 2011, 06:45:27 am by Ann »
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline LM

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  • Posts: 409
Re: First labs
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2011, 02:15:00 pm »
Thanks for posting that, Ann. It's very interesting how your numbers were pretty much stable all this time. I'd bet my money you'll still continue without meds for some time.  ;D

Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: First labs
« Reply #13 on: August 16, 2011, 07:46:39 am »
Thanks for posting that, Ann. It's very interesting how your numbers were pretty much stable all this time. I'd bet my money you'll still continue without meds for some time.  ;D

You're welcome. I'm not so sure that I'll be off meds for a whole lot longer. I've known a few people (mainly here on the forums) who had numbers like mine for years, but when their numbers went south, they did so quite quickly. My doctor tried to get me to go four to six months between labs, (that's why I only had three results in 2010) but I insisted on at having them done at least every three months, and explained why. My doctor agreed with me.

To be honest, I'm getting to the point of just wanting to start and get it over with already. However, I live in the UK and the NHS Trust I'm under in Liverpool insists on a clear and steady trend of CD4s being around 350 before treatment can be offered. So far every time I've gone into that range, I pop back up into the 500s. Go figure.
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

 


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