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Author Topic: Question about 3 month follow up...  (Read 2936 times)

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Offline d-boy86

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  • Posts: 123
Question about 3 month follow up...
« on: January 19, 2011, 03:42:51 pm »
I know its necessary to get your blood done every 3 months (or 6) right?

Well I'm with Kaiser P. And lab work is free (for me anyway), but the doctor always wants me to come in (which requires a 30$ co-payment). Is it really necessary for me to go in for a follow up every three months just to chat with her if my labs are fine every 3 months? I just went in during the middle of December for my last labs (no check-in with the doctor) and my VL decreased from 103k down to a whopping 80. My CD4's went up from 390 to 630+. Again...that was only a month ago. Is it even needed for me to go in again? I just sent her an email asking if I needed to or if I could just go in for the labs and be about my business. I work two jobs and go to school. I really don't have time to drive 35 miles to just have a conversation with her if my last set of labs was just done a month ago when I can simply go to the Kaiser up the street and get blood drawn there.
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Offline newt

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  • the one and original newt
Re: Question about 3 month follow up...
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2011, 04:36:40 pm »
Hello

If you're not on treatment, and not near the starting point for treatment (CD4 around 350)  then 4-6 months is safe. Concentrate on CD4 count. If you're on treatment and have achieved a viral load of 50 below, the 4-6 months is safe. Concentrate on viral load, kidney, albumin and heart (cholesterol) markers.

The days of 2-3 month monitoring are historical, from before ARVs when people got sick and died quickly.

- matt
« Last Edit: January 19, 2011, 04:48:02 pm by newt »
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"The object is to be a well patient, not a good patient"

Offline d-boy86

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Re: Question about 3 month follow up...
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2011, 04:49:33 pm »
Thanks Newt. I'm on Atripla. I just started in November. Which is why I was able to get a much lower VL. I just got my last labs on the 18th of Dec. So is it really needed to see the doctor? She usually wants me to meet with her which requires a co-pay. However, going straight to the lab is free.
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Offline newt

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  • Posts: 3,900
  • the one and original newt
Re: Question about 3 month follow up...
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2011, 04:56:10 pm »
Hmm, up to you, other reason to see doc besides labs, like side effects etc. Especially at the beginning of treatment.

ARVS can sometimes do strange things to your blood and body.

After a few months settled in then me, personally, if I had to pay (which I don't), I'd be down the lab first and on the 'phone if anything was odd (which supposes you understand your labs, I guess).

- matt
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"The object is to be a well patient, not a good patient"

Offline thunter34

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  • Posts: 7,374
  • His name is Carl.
Re: Question about 3 month follow up...
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2011, 07:59:43 pm »
Yep.  My doc has long since put me on a 6 monther.  I call or post an email message if anything comes up, and only go in when really necessary.

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AIDS isn't for sissies.

Offline BJS2011

  • Member
  • Posts: 62
Re: Question about 3 month follow up...
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2011, 01:00:29 pm »
Quote from: d-boy86 on January 19, 2011, 03:42:51 pm
I know its necessary to get your blood done every 3 months (or 6) right?

Well I'm with Kaiser P. And lab work is free (for me anyway), but the doctor always wants me to come in (which requires a 30$ co-payment). Is it really necessary for me to go in for a follow up every three months just to chat with her if my labs are fine every 3 months? I just went in during the middle of December for my last labs (no check-in with the doctor) and my VL decreased from 103k down to a whopping 80. My CD4's went up from 390 to 630+. Again...that was only a month ago. Is it even needed for me to go in again? I just sent her an email asking if I needed to or if I could just go in for the labs and be about my business. I work two jobs and go to school. I really don't have time to drive 35 miles to just have a conversation with her if my last set of labs was just done a month ago when I can simply go to the Kaiser up the street and get blood drawn there.
If your tests are great I think 6 months would be fine. Doctors are money hungry. Its solely your choice when you want to go in and make that clear to doctor
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