POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: thomas1947 on August 27, 2013, 05:57:26 pm
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I am 65 and was diagnosed in April, In June with a viral load of 155 thousand and cd4 267 I started on Stribild and in a month my viral load was 90 and cd4 was 314.
Here is the issue. I just got my latest blood work and my cd4 is the same and my viral load went up to 110. I am scared that the drug is not working. My doctor told me she thought perhaps I was not eating enough when I took the pill. I generally eat a banana, an egg or two and once in a while a breakfast sandwich. She told me to make sure I eat some good fat with the pill and that could be the issue.
Should I be worried that this pill is not working. Please take the time to answer as I am freaked right now.
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No, that doesn't mean that it's not working. First of all, there is no clinical significance between a viral load of 90 and 110. Second of all, both of those numbers for practical purposes are "undetectable" -- it's just that they've begun using more sensitive tests that tend to freak out newly diagnosed people. Just a couple years ago <400 was the cut off for what was defined on lab work as undetectable.
Bottom line is that the medication is working. Frankly your doctor should have explained this to you instead of going on about the food issue. With the newer lab testing it can take patients six months or so to reach <20 for a viral load.
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Yeah I'm with P on this, no need to freak out. You essentially have the same Viral load.
btw, it took me almost 6 months to go UD ;)
Hang in there
-WIll
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I am also on Stirbild and my VR was <20 in May and a couple weeks ago it came in at 55. I asked the question if I should be concerned and Doctor told me no worries...
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Thanks for the comments. I was worried all night, and these comments have lowered my worries.