POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: ChaplinGuy on August 26, 2007, 02:08:06 pm
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Okay, so I am doing my best to take this in stride, and heed my doc's advice that this is not necessarily "bad news." But my latest labs as of August 8th:
CD4 366
% 21
VL 5,000(ish)
This is down from the last few sets, and is the lowest CD4 I've ever seen come back. My doctor says that because of percentage is stable, and my VL has not moved, that this is not a cause for concern. But obviously any time I get close to that 350 mark my mind starts working overtime about the "Big M" (starting meds).
I'm due back in December to do another check, and hopefully this will prove my doctor correct. In the meantime, I am trying not to imagine myself suddenly getting some of the infections many folks get when they start hanging around the lower decks of t-cell normalcy.
Chap
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Hey Chap,
Your numbers are in the "iffy" range. You are not at the point where meds are definitely called for, which I think is pretty good. Your CD4s are getting to the "maybe should consider" range, but your viral load is deliciously low at 5,000ish.
Your percentage isn't bad and, as you posted, stable.
So, don't fret. One set of labs does not a pattern make. When you get the next set done in December, it will better show what's up.
Now, about the meds thing. I know, it is a big step. I won't harp about things being better, etc. I'm sure you've read or heard this all before.
Even if meds are called for, it isn't the beginning of the end. In fact, it is you taking control of your life and exercising that control by showing the virus you are in charge.
At least, that is how I look at it.
But don't put the cart in front of the horse just yet. It could well be December's results will show no need to consider meds at this time.
Try not to let it get you down.
HUGS,
Mark
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I agree with Aztecan, remember CD4 is crazy thing. It goes up then down and then up again. There are several people in here who has faced it.
Also, the fact your CD4 would one day go down enough to start meds does not imply you will necessarily have to face "some of the infections many folks get when they start hanging around the lower decks of t-cell normalcy", not if you are careful with your health. You know i have a friend who has CD4 250 and he is actually doing ok, being careful with his health but not OI's to report.
Keep the mood up,
Juan Carlos
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Try not to get too worried about it between now and December. I know that's easier said than done. You know, when I think about being on meds, I just tell myself it's better than the alternative. Keep smiling. :-*
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Thanks everyone for the replies. Yes, I know that it's not all coming to an end and remind myself that all the time. Every time I start slipping back into "normal" there is a little something that gets my attention. This is just the latest attention getter.
Gonna keep chugging along. Thanks all for your kinds words.
Chap
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Hey Chap,
I wouldn't worry too much. You can see by my labs that I dip and go back up by about 100 cells each draw. The thing I don't understand is why you'll wait 4 months for another draw? I do 3 mos at the most. When my cd4's dip down a hundred, I get redrawn at 2 months. Something to consider~ may save you some worry for 2 of 4 months?
Paul