POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: hope_for_a_cure on June 12, 2013, 07:27:49 am
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UUUGH!! I got my last lab results back yesterday and my VL came back at 200. I entered into my 4th year of treatment this March and I have had zero adherence problems since I started taking Atripla in 2010. Last summer I had a little spike in my VL numbers as well.
My doctor is not overly concerned yet but I always get a bit disconcerted when my VL numbers move upward from the previous test. Any input from those of you who have had this happen would be appreciated. I know its not doomsday for me yet (per say) but I am not happy about the lack of progress when I compare my situation to others that seem to do so well.
I guess the good thing is that I feel just fine.... the numbers are just not stellar.
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when you say "lack of progress" what do you mean? have you had any other deviations besides that one last summer?
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James, two small VL spikes separated by the amount of time you described really is of no clinical significance, and my opinion is that you should not worry about it. If your next lab result show a further increase, and it's at the level where they can do a genotype test (I forget the cut off -- maybe it's 500 now, it used to be 1,000) then your doctor should do one and switch you to another regimen. At the end of the day, with current medications available, even that scenario should not cause you any worry. That said, I don't believe that will happen.
Also, wearing my lecturing hat, you should not compare your situation to other's on the board in terms of actual cd4 counts. You've only been on treatment for four years. While personally my numbers are very high now, at four years they most certainly were not though they were a respectable "safe" number ~350 and that is something anyone should be able to live with.
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I agree with Miss P James . I was on atripla or sustiva truvada since it became available and have had little spikes like that only to see undetectable again next draw .
It took me almost 10 years to see 400 cd4 counts and just in the last 2 years I have seen 700 range . It just takes time for some of us to get there .
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Those are good points everybody. Thanks for the quick responses! I am not as concerned about CD4 counts (although I would love them to be higher) as much as I am about the VL. A result showing 200 copies/ml is not terrible actually, its just not a number I wanted to see.
Mikie... no other deviations. The second year I was on treatment, I saw consistent VL numbers coming in under 20. I will just keep on doing what I am suppose to in the meantime.
OK... off to Savannah for a few days of R&R...thanks again my friends!
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I have had the same problem I have been at 80VL for over a year now I had TDM done again a few weeks ago and waiting for the result. I have not missed one dose of my meds.
I started out with significant drug resistant HIV. Its wait and see until the next test.
My ID DR said some people have trouble absorbing the full dose of Meds and there are a few other people that have the same problem.
I am concerned as there was talk about going on Fuzeon but I will hold off on that.
On the Plus side my Cd4 went up to 870 highest I have had so far.