Checking in: hope y'all are well. Aussie style.

[auspoz]

Hi everyone.

I just felt like checking in and saying hello. I hope you all are well.

So, Australia has changed its guidelines after the "start" trial, and I'm seeing my Dr this week to start treatment before going below CD4 500. Seems immensely sensible to me, still just very "real". Aust government obviously wants everyone on treatment.

So, just thought I'd say hello, been a while, and hey... I'm still here.

Best to all.

auspoz

[harleymc]

Good on you auspoz
 Hugs from Marrickville

[AusShep]

That's great news. 

After the START trial, and now the W.H.O. recommending immediate treatment for everyone, I hope we see more countries offering treatment right away.

It does get "real" once you commit to going on meds, but soon it gets better than it was before.

[Denvaux]

Hi everyone.

I just felt like checking in and saying hello. I hope you all are well.

So, Australia has changed its guidelines after the "start" trial, and I'm seeing my Dr this week to start treatment before going below CD4 500. Seems immensely sensible to me, still just very "real". Aust government obviously wants everyone on treatment.

So, just thought I'd say hello, been a while, and hey... I'm still here.

Best to all.

auspoz

I think the general consensus of med professionals on this issue is said to be:  A positive should start treatment immediately;     Personally I hung it out as long as possible as  like you good- " numbers",  but I hated the prospect of med commitment - why commit to meds unless absolutely necessary was my thinking...... But looking back along with experience, I now i see the sense of the general consensus; we have this thing - we're gonna need treatment possibly forever- so get on with it.
500 cd4 is as good as 1500 cd4, but your choice sensible ;-)

[tednlou2]

I'm right there with ya.  Finally got my gene test back for Triumeq.  I was ready to just go with Stribild, but they wanted me to consider Triumeq.  Last CD4 was high 600's and vl around 20k.  But, I know I've had HIV, for sure, since 2008.  I am pretty confident the infection goes back to 2001.  So, it's been 14 years.  Even at lower viral loads, that must be causing inflammation.

Right now, I am dealing with a cold.  Of course, I got it from my HIV Neg friend, so it doesn't necessarily mean I got it because I'm not on meds.  But, I may not have got it so easily, if my immune system was stronger.  First cold since January 2014.  And, I do always worry about something like a cold or flu turning into pneumonia.  Although, people on meds get pneumonia, as some are just more prone it seems.  But, meds surely would only give more protection. 

I have a bottle of Stribild here and thought about just starting it now.  I'm still considering the Triumeq, but it just seems easier to use the med I have.  I wish ya the best with your start.