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Author Topic: Numbers not looking good  (Read 13857 times)

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Offline poglip

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Numbers not looking good
« on: March 20, 2011, 10:08:41 am »
Hello new to this forum and scared, got infected Feb 2010
tested March 2010 Neg
retested May 2010 Poz V/L 7000 CD4 460
September 2010 V/L 26512 CD4 434
December 2010  V/L 78262 CD4 275
Two weeks Later V/L 152669 CD4 308
March 2011 V/L 251539 CD4 226
As you can see the numbers are not good I've gone from infection to needing meds in around 12 months, had been told by my doctor when first tested positive it COD be 5 to 10 years before i needed to take medication , so I'm worried as hell about whats happening to my body, does anyone know of anyone who has had a similar experience Thanks Chris.
Infected        Feb    2010
Negative test  March 2010
Tested Positive May 2010
VL 7568 CD4 465 21%
Sept 2010
VL 26512 CD4 434 18%
Dec 2010
VL 152669 CD4 308
Mar 2011
VL 251539 CD4 226 9% Started Atripla
Apr 2011
VL 256 CD4 256 11%
July 2011
VL Undetectable CD4 346 21%
23 Oct 2011
VL Undetectable CD4 199 17%

Offline Hellraiser

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,155
  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2011, 12:23:21 pm »
It's a decision for you to make with the consultation of your doctor but it looks like it's time to start meds.  It's not out of the ordinary and everyone progresses at a different pace.

Offline skeebo1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,931
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2011, 12:41:22 pm »
As you can see the numbers are not good I've gone from infection to needing meds in around 12 months, had been told by my doctor when first tested positive it COD be 5 to 10 years before i needed to take medication , so I'm worried as hell about whats happening to my body, does anyone know of anyone who has had a similar experience Thanks Chris.

I went on meds after being infected for only 14 months.  My initial numbers were in the 800 range and declined to 103 in December of 2006, this is when I started meds.  I was disappointed at the time because, like you, my doctor advised that it would be another 5-10 years before I would have to take meds.  As Hellraised suggested it's nothing really abnormal, and just in case you're wondering it doesn't necessarily mean you have anything more than the next pos person in regards of a deadlier strain.  Everyone's body is different and it's difficult to put an exact time line on these things.

Btw... welcome to the forums, Chris.
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline WillyWump

  • Member
  • Posts: 7,367
  • EPIC FIERCENESS!
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2011, 01:12:03 pm »
Hi Pog,

Your numbers are strikingly similiar to mine when I was first diagnosed and then progressed into needing meds 8 month later. It's not unusual and is not an indicator of future problems as my CD4's are now at 842 after 3 years. We all wanted to be "that person" that didnt need meds for many years, but it is what it is.

Welcome to the Forums and hope to see you around buddy.

-Will
« Last Edit: March 20, 2011, 01:19:10 pm by WillyWump »
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2011, 01:19:09 pm »
A fast progression one could term as unusual but not unknown, and for this reason I'm never comfortable with doctors telling their patients this common "you won't go on meds for 5-10 years".  If they're going to say that then they need to clearly state the caveat that "X" % progress quickly, etc.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline poglip

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2011, 02:39:34 pm »
Thanks Lads that's the sort of a info i was after will keep a close eye on this forum Cheers.
Infected        Feb    2010
Negative test  March 2010
Tested Positive May 2010
VL 7568 CD4 465 21%
Sept 2010
VL 26512 CD4 434 18%
Dec 2010
VL 152669 CD4 308
Mar 2011
VL 251539 CD4 226 9% Started Atripla
Apr 2011
VL 256 CD4 256 11%
July 2011
VL Undetectable CD4 346 21%
23 Oct 2011
VL Undetectable CD4 199 17%

Offline mecch

  • Member
  • Posts: 13,455
  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2011, 05:20:11 pm »
I was an "instant" progressor.  Its all in the genetic cards. 
While your doc stated the 5-10 year figure - it wasn't the ocmplete story and everyone's experience is individual.
I'm sure if someone bothered to study infections (not diagnosis) within the last 5 years, there would be more people going on meds faster than that 5-10 year statistic, which sounds kind of out-dated to me.
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2011, 07:14:05 pm »

I'm sure if someone bothered to study infections (not diagnosis) within the last 5 years, there would be more people going on meds faster than that 5-10 year statistic, which sounds kind of out-dated to me.


There have been studies, and I recall reading of one published in the past year that showed an increase during the past decade (obviously these are, by nature, long-term type studies) of disease progression compared with the previous decade.

Last time I needed to point to this study I wasn't successful at finding it again, but I know I read it.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline mecch

  • Member
  • Posts: 13,455
  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2011, 07:35:05 pm »
Yeah I remember reading that.
And it does seem more and more doctors just want to treat pretty quickly. So this 5-10 years is going to be meaningless, especially if there comes more consensus that an active HIV infection is more serious than the potential damage of HAART.
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline mikeyb39

  • Member
  • Posts: 980
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2011, 08:23:19 pm »

my doc gave me the option, he said some folks don't start meds until their first OI, but i didn't want to do that  I wanted to avoid that as much as possible. My numbers were low at the beginning, which were taken during my seroconversion  I was sick as hell, so it was an easy decision on my part.  Some doctors have different opinions on when to start, but mine believes in getting the VL load to UD as soon as possible instead of having higher active VL.  Since he has been working with HIV since the mid 80's i trusted his opinion. 
11/02/2010  cd4-251, vl-591000
12/09/2010  started Atripla
02/18/2011  cd4-425, vl-800
06/10/2011  cd4-447, vl-70
10/10/2011  cd4-666, vl-80
01/05/2012  swiched med (prezista,norvir ,isentress, )
02/10/2012  cd4-733, vl-UD  Viread removed
06/10/2012  cd4-614, vl-UD
12/14/2012  cd4-764, vl-UD
09/01/2013  cd4-785, vl-UD
03/06/2014. cd4- 1078, VL-UD
09/05/2014  cd4-850 , VL-UD
09/05/2014 switched meds isentress, prezcobix -still only two antivirals
10/14/2015  cd4-600 , VL-UD

Offline brenner

  • Member
  • Posts: 93
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2011, 04:40:07 am »
yep, my numbers are just like yours.  started atripla within 2 weeks of diagnosis.  feeling pretty good, and cannot wait to see how its working for me at my next labs.  and the meds have been good to me, in terms of not having any side effects....i was freaked out that it all happened so fast...but it gets better with time, really.
Feb 23. 2011  poz diagnosed
Feb 28.  cd4 257, vl 262400, %21
Mar 14.  start Atripla
May 18.  cd4 639, vl 690, %33
Aug 19.  cd4 583, vl 60, %38
Nov 18.  cd4 450, vl UD, %38
2012
Feb.19   cd4 649, vl UD, %35
Jun 08.  cd4 524, vl UD, %34
Sep 16.  cd4 567, vl UD, %35
Dec 02.  cd4 592, vl UD, %35
2013
Mar 10.  cd4 688, vl UD, %35

Offline TakingAChance

  • Member
  • Posts: 42
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2011, 01:06:07 am »
My numbers are supposedly good for the first round of test. 529 Cd4 and 5000 vl. My Phenosense test was very bad. I evidently am infected with 2 different resistant strains which cut out 2 entire panels of meds and then some ..the Doc said. I just tested positive in Feb and I know I got infected last dec/Jan. So fast progressions for meds here too. The Dr. wanted me on them from the first test though. He didn't believe in waiting for numbers to dip and replication to take over. Now he's worried bacause if this series of medication doesn't work for me I am out of the med's game for a while. I am shocked to not only find out I wasn't even in the league to be an HIV+ person who could progress slowly like they tell you, but an HIV+ person who is in trouble right off the gecko.
Fasten Your Seat Belts...It's going to be a Bumpy Ride!

Offline TakingAChance

  • Member
  • Posts: 42
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #12 on: March 26, 2011, 01:07:21 am »
My numbers are supposedly good for the first round of test. 529 Cd4 and 5000 vl. My Phenosense test was very bad. I evidently am infected with 2 different resistant strains which cut out 2 entire panels of meds and then some ..the Doc said. I just tested positive in Feb and I know I got infected last dec/Jan. So fast progressions for meds here too. The Dr. wanted me on them from the first test though. He didn't believe in waiting for numbers to dip and replication to take over. Now he's worried bacause if this series of medication doesn't work for me I am out of the med's game for a while. I am shocked to not only find out I wasn't even in the league to be an HIV+ person who could progress slowly like they tell you, but an HIV+ person who is in trouble right off the gecko.
Fasten Your Seat Belts...It's going to be a Bumpy Ride!

Offline RichardfromIndy

  • Member
  • Posts: 17
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2011, 11:22:12 pm »
When I was first diagnosed in December of 1990, I did not begin meds immediately.  However, it was more because of my own ignorance about the disease and coming to grips with the fact that I was hiv+.  It was about a year later that I committed to seeing a doctor and began a regimen of medication.  As time progressed I became more proactive with my treatment and began to get involved in protocols in order to help facilitate the production of more drugs that could be developed to help my disease.  A change in lifestyle was also in order because I could not continue to put myself and others at risk with my behaviors.  Over time it has become very apparent that eating properly, getting exercise, taking my meds (Atripla at this time) and getting away from risky behaviors all contribute to an effective healthcare program.  I track and keep records on all of my tests so that I have a clear understanding as to how I am doing.  My cd4 was about 250 at it's lowest and about 725 at it's highest.  For the past 3 years it has stayed in the upper 600 to low 700 range with no measureable viral load.  Stay positive and proactive in your treatment program and do everything possible to keep yourself as healthy as possible.

Offline drewm

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,248
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #14 on: May 07, 2011, 11:30:51 pm »
Welcome Chris. Try not to freak! My dx and first test ever was last year. My VL was 500,000 and CD4 count was 8 (eight). A year later on Atripla, my VL is undetectable, CD-4 count at 327. The numbers can be scary and they are a benchmark for treatment, etc, but they can be managed. This disease can be managed.

The folks on here are on point that everyone progresses differently HOWEVER that has nothing to do with how you will respond to the meds, in other words, just because you have progressed faster than originally thought does not mean that meds cannot turn back the hands of time.

 ;)
Diagnosed in  May of 2010 with teh AIDS.

PCP Pneumonia . CD4 8 . VL 500,000

TRIUMEQ - VALTREX -  FLUOXETINE - FENOFIBRATE - PRAVASTATIN - CIALIS


Numbers consistent since 12/2010 - VL has remained undetectable and CD4 is anywhere from 275-325

Offline poglip

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #15 on: May 11, 2011, 05:48:15 pm »
 :-\
Infected        Feb    2010
Negative test  March 2010
Tested Positive May 2010
VL 7568 CD4 465 21%
Sept 2010
VL 26512 CD4 434 18%
Dec 2010
VL 152669 CD4 308
Mar 2011
VL 251539 CD4 226 9% Started Atripla
Apr 2011
VL 256 CD4 256 11%
July 2011
VL Undetectable CD4 346 21%
23 Oct 2011
VL Undetectable CD4 199 17%

Offline newt

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,900
  • the one and original newt
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #16 on: May 22, 2011, 06:46:27 pm »
Quote
5 to 10 years before i needed to take medication

Yes, doctors say this but it is not always true. Often isn't.

The important thing is antiretroviral meds restore health so I wouldn't worry about the missing years off treatment.

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

Offline poglip

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #17 on: July 15, 2011, 05:49:06 pm »
Hi Sorry haven't posted for a while, the last one was a bit of a balls up, just posted  a smiley face don't know where the text went LOL, will check in future before i log out.
Anyway been on the Atripla for around fourteen weeks now no side affects to speak of yet, as for long term ill have to wait and see ,got the results this morning viral load has gone from 251539 to less than 40 so undetectable using the machine my hospital does the test with, so quite a reduction in viral load. CD4 has gone from 211  11% to 312  21% so numbers are starting to look  like I'll be around a bit longer than i thought after diagnosis.
So why is it i still feel like S**t, Tired no sex drive depressed and still pretty sick of life, thought that starting on the meds and getting them numbers up to a more healthy level would help me bounce back to a point in my life when things didn't look so grim, keep being told am turning into a proper T**t Could it be the meds ?
Infected        Feb    2010
Negative test  March 2010
Tested Positive May 2010
VL 7568 CD4 465 21%
Sept 2010
VL 26512 CD4 434 18%
Dec 2010
VL 152669 CD4 308
Mar 2011
VL 251539 CD4 226 9% Started Atripla
Apr 2011
VL 256 CD4 256 11%
July 2011
VL Undetectable CD4 346 21%
23 Oct 2011
VL Undetectable CD4 199 17%

Offline Matty the Damned

  • Member
  • Posts: 12,277
  • Antipodean in every sense of the word
Re: Numbers not looking good
« Reply #18 on: July 15, 2011, 07:57:23 pm »
Hi Sorry haven't posted for a while, the last one was a bit of a balls up, just posted  a smiley face don't know where the text went LOL, will check in future before i log out.
Anyway been on the Atripla for around fourteen weeks now no side affects to speak of yet, as for long term ill have to wait and see ,got the results this morning viral load has gone from 251539 to less than 40 so undetectable using the machine my hospital does the test with, so quite a reduction in viral load. CD4 has gone from 211  11% to 312  21% so numbers are starting to look  like I'll be around a bit longer than i thought after diagnosis.
So why is it i still feel like S**t, Tired no sex drive depressed and still pretty sick of life, thought that starting on the meds and getting them numbers up to a more healthy level would help me bounce back to a point in my life when things didn't look so grim, keep being told am turning into a proper T**t Could it be the meds ?

Pog,

It could be the meds but, in my 'umble 'pinion, it's more likely to be depression.

Your posts have a depressive tone to them and things like low libido, tiredness and a general sense of ennui all scream depression. Have you discussed this with your doctor? Depression is a terrible thing but can be treated most effectively.

Good numbers by the way. :)

MtD

 


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