My doc refreshed my memory : lowest CD4 / highest viral load 5.000.000 !

[heartforyou]

Upon my last visit to my HIV doc with Dan, she refreshed my memory.

In 1995 my CD4 count was 5 and my viral load was more than 5.000.000 copies
or 6.7 blog.

The good news is I have been undetectable ( < 50 copies) since 1996 and my CD count has been up to 950, now at 606.

I hope this gives a positive message to people who worry if their high viral load could ever go to an undetectable level again.

And to be curious....... anyone with a higher viral load than 5.000.000?.

Hermie

[thunter34]

I was unaware that VL was measured that high (5 million?!), as I thought the tests only measured up to >750,000 (which is where I was).  The med staff told me that I was likely well into a million- or millions- but that the test stopped counting past 750,000. 

Unless, of course, you really meant 500,000...in which case I WIN(?) !!

[J220]

Wow! 5 million...a meds success story if I ever saw one. Thanks for sharing that. J.

[DanielMark]

In November 2002 I was overwhelmed (hijacked by HIV as my specialist calls it) by a VL more than 500 000.

Since going on meds at that time my VL quickly dropped to less than 50 and has remained there since.

That you survived a count of five million copies is nothing short of miraculous, Hermie.

Daniel

[poet]

Great information for you, personally, Hermie and as you know for everyone reading how far you have climbed! Best, Win

[Jnm594]

You beat me! When I was diagnosed mine was 1,549,000 so they told me. So you are the champion!!!

[pozniceguy]

Great success story ..when I was diagnosed  in 1994 the Lab / Dr both sat with me and explained that my cd = 2  and the VL was over a million.....don't know how far over... and that was a very difficult place to start treatment from... of course had other issues to contend with ( PCP < TB< and other infection )
  I have been in the cd= 350 to 400 range for several years and undetectable also for most of that time///   so the meds work if you stick with it and have a good DR....

Congats to you Hermie..

Nick

[Queen Tokelove]

Hermie,

That is indeed a great story and comeback. And here I am sniveling because my cd4 is 307 and viral load is 85,000 (highest it's ever been), ok, you have permission to slap me. Just reading your post reminds me that I still have alot of life left in me. Thanks...

[J.R.E.]

Hello Hermie,

Thanks for sharing, it certainly does give hope many, when they see the progress you have made !!

continued success with your numbers !



Ray

[Christine]

Hermie,
It does give me hope that things can improve. On those bad days it is hard to see it sometimes.

When I was hospitalized in 2001 for a month, I remember the doctor saying the vl was over 2 million, cd 4 was around 30. This past year, the vl was over 1 million at one point.

Right now I am at vl-900, and cd4 at (i think) 17. Hopefully, with the study drug, the cd4 will keep going up and up.

Thanks for sharing your numbers.
Christine

[Ihavehope]

Hey Hermis

Thanks for posting your difficult experience on the site. I know it must have been a very tough time for you but you are brave and a survivor and God will bless you with more life and strength. It really calms me down a bit to know that meds do help us get better.

Al

[skeebo1969]

  Hermie...

      You have me beat for sure..  My highest was 234,000..  Funny thing was it got kicked down by my immune system without the use of meds.  Although I think it really had something to do with the sudden collapse in CD4's at the end.  When I started meds my Vl was 8,000 lowest since being diagnosed.  When it was 234,000 my CD4 was 611.   When at 8,000 my CD4 was 137... still trying to figure this damn thing out!

  Thomas