What was med stats when U started meds? If not on meds, what's ur current stat?

[Since2005]

I hope its not a duplicate thread. There are two topics on the thread. I could not form all words into one topic sentence, hopefully its clear.

I wanted to start this thread to get some idea about one's meds stat when he/she started meds. I also wanted to find out if someone is not on meds what's his/her current meds stat and how long they have been HIV+ and/or when they were diagnosed. If you do not know me, I have been poz since Jan/Feb of 2005. I am currently not on meds. My current meds stat is:

CD4:564
VL:2953
CD4% : 25%

Can you please share;

What was your med stats when you started taking meds?
If you are not on meds, what's your current meds? And how long you have been poz/when were you diagnosed?

Thanks everyone

[Miss Philicia]

Is my telling you what meds I started with in 1993 really relevant to you?

[Raf]

I can't remember the exact stats, but was something like this:

CD4: 98
VL: 420.000 or something...

Along with a nice Aids Dx with wasting syndrome and molluscus contagious, let's say that I didn't have too much options left: Take meds or die. Hopefully you won't wait until this to start meds, isn't it?

[Since2005]

Deleted. Duplicate

[drewm]

CD4 was 8
VL was 500,000

[mecch]

I started HAART 4 months after my seroconversion.
My numbers were awful.
Doctor said I had to start.

Hey, since, you know a lot of people have AIDS when they start HAART.  You are lucky you will never be in that boat.  Not with today's medicine and because you know your numbers and see the doctor.  Keep it that way.  No AIDS.  No borderline AIDS.  Keep on truckin.

[spacebarsux]

CD4 907 @ 26%, VL 81,000- July 2011

Treatment Naive.

[hope_for_a_cure]

What was your med stats when you started taking meds?
Thanks everyone

CD4 count of 4 (and no, I did not name each of them although some folks suggested that I should)
VL of around 230K

[elf]

unprotected intercourse: 2/14/2008 & bad flu-like seroconversion that last almost a month
7/5/2008 painful headache for two weeks that didn't go away, saw a neurologist, made a head CT scan
9/2/2008 tested positive  CD4 353 15 %, VL 300 000
started meds the next day, after a month: CD4 510 18% VL UD
last numbers: CD4 1200 33% VL UD
I'm on Kaletra+Kivexa/Epzicom

My diagnosis is: HIV 1 Infection A2
(they write it every time on my lab results).

[elf]

I started HAART 4 months after my seroconversion.
My numbers were awful.

Same here. I guess we're rapid progressors. 

[leatherman]

CD4 count of 4 (and no, I did not name each of them although some folks suggested that I should)
VL of around 230K

and look at you now Hopey!  nothing like that guy that came down to SC to visit his mom and ended up in the hospital with PCP dying of teh aids just over a year ago. True your health is a little "damaged" now; but look how you handled all that walking, drinking, and carousing in Seattle. w00T!

I would give you stats, Since, but when I was diagnosed with 7 tcells way back in 1992 (probably infected in 1985 in Charlotte before I moved to Ohio) there wasn't a test for viral load. I didn't starts meds for another 4 months because of the uncertainity surrounding AZT monotherapy; but since other meds were in the pipeline I have to feel my 9 months of AZT kept me alive until something else came along. I didn't even get my first viral load until after I was out of the hospital (supposedly where I was "dying" of PCP) in 1996 because there wasn't such a thing as a viral load until that year.

As I mentioned to you before, one third of all people with HIV are not diagnosed until they are in a hospital with an AIDS-defining illnesses. Also remember that all you'll be getting in this thread is emperical evidence. We often note how HIV seems to affect everyone a little differently. some go for years without issues or treatments, others immediately have to go onto meds. You're going to get so many different stories, that you can't expect to learn to do what in your situation. All you can do is monitor your status constantly (unlike what you've been doing the last few years*), and start meds at the clinically-defined point, whenever that is - 6 months or 6 years.

*kudos for finally getting your first labs; but one time doesn't mean that you're dealing well with your HIV - and no, educationing yourself about HIV is NOT dealing with HIV. Dealing with HIV is seeing a doctor regularly and/or taking medications. Hopefully, one day you'll be able to just admit that you ignored your HIV for years and years and finally started to get a handle on it in 2011.

[buginme2]

Leatherman touches on a very important point.  You cannot determine how to proceed with treatment by comparing yourself to other with this disease.  You cannot also simply determine your treatment by cd4 count alone. 

One thing that stands out for me is how many things my doctor tests for and watches.  My liver health is very important (its THE #1 causr of death in hiv positive people), my heart health, my cholesterol, my ass (i have to get an anoscopy every year).  The issues of those who are HIV positive are enourmous.  Being treated for HIV can reduce some of the comorbidities associated with it.  Its just too simple (in my humble opinion) to say I will start treatment when my count reaches such and such.

For the record my cd4 was 410 at 36% vl was 13k

[DanMo]

I start 1st August 2011 (after having found out 11 February 2011 that I was poz). October and December 2010 test results were both negative.

My numbers were as follows before I start meds:

06 June 2011

CD4+: 298 (19%)

VL:  78,380

(BTW: I'm 23 years old...)

[Since2005]

Deleted. Duplicate.

[newt]

CD4 count 180 odd viral load 190,000 odd, now CD4 count 580 odd, viral load nada, 6-7 years meds (can't quite remember off the top of my head).

- matt

[kellybryana]

I'm on edurant and truvada

I started at CD4: 460 23% and a VL: 75,000

waiting for first labs on meds

[emeraldize]

Leatherman touches on a very important point.  You cannot determine how to proceed with treatment by comparing yourself to other with this disease.  You cannot also simply determine your treatment by cd4 count alone. 

One thing that stands out for me is how many things my doctor tests for and watches.  My liver health is very important (its THE #1 causr of death in hiv positive people), my heart health, my cholesterol, my ass (i have to get an anoscopy every year).  The issues of those who are HIV positive are enourmous.  Being treated for HIV can reduce some of the comorbidities associated with it.  Its just too simple (in my humble opinion) to say I will start treatment when my count reaches such and such.

Between what Mikey wrote previously and what Bugsy's written here is the reason I won't reply to your request (and I've already indicated similarities between our counts and length of time positive in a previous post) Instead of developing a relationship with your doctor, and learning the ropes of living with HIV, I believe as do others you're looking for reasons to put things off further.

Comparing your numbers to others' is just another mode for this. This virus in many respects is like a snowflake as it is different for every person. So get your quarterly bloodwork done, get into the groove of good contact with your doc and it will all work out such that you need not ruminate. You can put that energy elsewhere  -- like on laundry, a new recipe, a brisk walk in the park -- something other than HIV. Glorious -- I think I'll take my own advice and log off.

[Since2005]

Let’s not all get confused and start assuming ‘ do as others do’ approach is taken. This is strictly for ‘information purpose’ only. I believe that's why we have the ‘signature option’ where we see others med stats, treatment starting time etc. As I stated before one should always monitor his/her health and decides on the meds based on the stats, doctors advice, readiness to adherent to meds, etc. One has to decide on that at his/her own pace. I appreciate the concerns, however, this thread is intended to get information from others specifically on two things only.

What was your med stats when you started taking meds?
If you are not on meds, what's your current meds? And how long you have been poz/when were you diagnosed?

I sure hope we all could stay on the topic as I would do the same for others.

P.S. I am yet to see some who has not been on meds for long time. It seems, the ones who have started meds, they did at the right timing based on the immune stat.

[Since2005]

Hi New Poz Guy,Thanks for your comments on the "Asymptomatic to Symptomatic" thread. Figured, this info belong here

I was diagnosed in late July and decided at 438 CD4 and 90K plus VL - I wasn't going to let my body do this on it's own. I started Atripla 8/13 and haven't looked back

Thanks everyone for participating!

[le_liseur]

I think I was infected in July 2009, and I was diagnosed in September 2009.

I have not started meds so far. My CD4 is around 750 and my VL is around 12,000.

[aztecan]

My original cocktail was Saquinavir (the original formulation), AZT and 3TC (Epivir).

I started when my T cells were 440 ish and the viral load in the 50 or 60,000 range. Hard to remember without looking it up.

Last labs: Viral load Undetectable at <20, CD4 was 1,053.

HUGS,

Mark

[wolfter]

Hi New Poz Guy,Thanks for your comments on the "Asymptomatic to Symptomatic" thread. Figured, this info belong here

Thanks everyone for participating!

Is this on topic for this post?

[Since2005]

@ Wolfer.. yes it is! Answer the original topic ,please don't hijack one's thread.

To stay on topic:

I wanted to start this thread to get some idea about one's meds stat when he/she started meds. I also wanted to find out if someone is not on meds what's his/her current meds stat and how long they have been HIV+ and/or when they were diagnosed. If you do not know me, I have been poz since Jan/Feb of 2005. I am currently not on meds. My current meds stat is:

CD4:564
VL:2953
CD4% : 25%

Can you please share;

What was your med stats when you started taking meds?
If you are not on meds, what's your current meds? And how long you have been poz/when were you diagnosed?

Thanks everyone whoever participated!

[emeraldize]

this thread is intended to get information from others specifically on two things only.

Why?

[mecch]

If you do not know me, I have been poz since Jan/Feb of 2005. I am currently not on meds.

And though my first HIV doctor recommended I start the other day - cause I finally got labs after many years of living in denial -- he does see the other side that it's not an emergency, so I'm going to wait until I am good and ready.  I will only pay attention to information that feeds what I have already decided, but please everyone participate. I am too lazy to read your old threads where this sort of information is discussed, dozens of times a year.  Just give me the information I need to do what I want.  Thank you.  

Just ragging on you Since, but be careful, huh?  Read Leatherman's and buginme's posts.

[Since2005]

..this sort of information is discussed, dozens of times a year.  Just give me the information I need to do what I want.  

I apologized earlier if this is a duplicate thread. My bad, if it is. Again, there are also some new people here so I guess they wouldn't be in the older threads..

Read Leatherman's and buginme's posts.

My doc already has done the testing what Bug said his doc had done. My liver, cholesterol, diabetes, heart, kidneys etc are normal and he is yet to test TB and anal cancer. Please read reply # 17

Let's not all get confused and start assuming ‘ do as others do’ approach is taken. This is strictly for ‘information purpose’ only. I believe that's why we have the ‘signature option’ where we see others med stats, treatment starting time etc. As I stated before one should always monitor his/her health and decides on the meds based on the stats, doctors advice, readiness to adherent to meds, etc. One has to decide on that at his/her own pace.

Why?

I have already answered that. Here it is , "knowledge". The same reason you and everyone are here. Get to know each other, find out, the same reason as Mecch stated others have started the similar thread “to know”.

I feel like some may be intentionally/unintentionally hijacked my thread. Regardless, if it came from a good heart or not, I feel that the etiquette has not been followed.

What I would ask the moderators is to close this thread.  Mostly because the thread is going somewhere other than where I wanted it to be. I hope to get the information from somewhere else. Thanks everybody who have participated!

- Since2005


**Edited to correct spelling, grammer...

[kellybryana]

Don't get so butthurt. Its the nature of these forums. Most threads get off topic at some point. You have gotten a lot of on topic responses...ya know?

[mecch]

Since, I didnt mean to hijack your thread, sorry.

But you don't get to control what people say. 

Also, threads don't get "closed" unless people insult each other or post denialist crap.

You tried to shut down your first thread, when people started talking about misc. stuff, and stuff about you and hiv as well, that you didn't want to hear.   We continued posting and you had to listen eventually.

[WillyWump]

CD4 225
VL 180k

[bufguy]

May 2008
CD4 511
Vl 47,500
Today
CD4 924
Vl undetectable     Atripla is my friend

[heartforyou]

Started meds 1995
CD4 : 7
VL in the millions
AZT

Now latest CD4 :670. Undetectable since 1996.

Infected 1983. Diagnosed 1987

[BM]

Started meds (abacavir, lamivudine and nevirapine) in 2008. CD4 37 (6%), viral load 1,108,190. Had PCP, oral thrust and leukoplakia for good measure. A few months later my virus developed resistance (most likely 'archived' resistance) and I started atazanavir, ritonavir tenofovir and raltegravir. Been undetecatable since the start of 2009 and my last CD4 was 427 (22%).

[Since2005]

Thanks everyone for sharing your information.

The following topics that I have found in the forum are related to my thread somewhat.. meds/no meds/cd4/med stats etc.  are very interesting if anyone wants to read..

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=33382.0

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=34278.0

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=25821.0

[mecch]

Also, since, I think you do not mean "med stats" you mean blood work - or "labs". 
I don't think there is any such thing as "med stats" and certainly not when someone isn't taking medicine.

[Since2005]

Also, since, I think you do not mean "med stats" you mean blood work - or "labs".  
I don't think there is any such thing as "med stats" and certainly not when someone isn't taking medicine.

Lab works it is! CD4 counts, CD4 % or CD4/CD8 Ratio , VL counts. It too late in the game to bring that up Meech.  I will take it as 'nothing is too late'...... look at me (j/k)

[joemutt]

1997 : 220/500 K.
now 1480/undetectable <30

[wolfter]

I couldn't play the game.  Back in my day we didn't have VL, percentages and CD4's were still measured in terms of Tcells.  By the time the 90's rolled around, I managed to hold onto a handful of Tcells. 

I saw a written report from my doctor at the time who indicated I was in denial.  Yeah right, since there were no effective treatments, what were we expected to do?  I guess we were supposed to just stay home and start dying slowly.  Since I didn't expect to hit 30, I ignored the illness (not denied) and lived as much as a I could and as quickly as I could.

[GusInJune]

Hi guys, long time lurker here, thought it was time to make an account. Thanks for all your help in the past, even if you didn't know it.

My stats/history are in the sig, there's not much, haven't had a lot of bloodwork done in the past, wish I knew more about my baseline, how I progressed etc. I don't think I was poz for two long before I was diagnosed, which means I had full-blown AIDS before I was even poz for 2 years. BUT as you can see my current regimen is working ridiculously well! (rapid progressor as well as a quick rebound).

[Ann]

Hi Gus, welcome to the forums. Thanks for becoming an active member!

Your neurosyphilis could well be what caused your hiv to progress so dramatically. Your numbers may have improved once the syphilis was taken care of, but with those numbers you were absolutely right to start hiv treatment. Onwards and upwards!

[GusInJune]

Your neurosyphilis could well be what caused your hiv to progress so dramatically. Your numbers may have improved once the syphilis was taken care of, but with those numbers you were absolutely right to start hiv treatment. Onwards and upwards!

That is the case exactly. I encourage people to watch for signs of co-infection, as ambiguous as they might be (Syphilis is known as "the great imitator" for a reason, I received several misdiagnoses). Syphilis can really destroy your body quickly if you're untreated, and for HIV/AIDS patients, it can cause all kinds of problems that stay long after the syph is gone, like my retinal detachments and arthritis. The antibodies can stay for years, and those can cause problems! Everyone should look out and get tested if you are still engaging in high risk behavior. There's other threads for this though. But yes you are correct, the co-infection is probably why BOTH diseases progressed so quickly, according to my ID doctor. I could not have gotten AIDS or Neurosyphillis so quickly had they not been in the same body, it just wouldn't make sense even in the most rapid of progressors.