POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: moxieinme on December 11, 2013, 02:25:49 pm
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Nearly jumped off the examining table when my doc gave me my latest lab results: VL <20, CD4 637, and percentage 27%. I have NEVER had a CD4 count or percentage that high, and only three times had CD4 over 600, the last time in 2002. Of course I am thrilled that my current regimen appears to be working so well for the last 5 years.
But I have a niggling doubt. These are the first labs through a new doctor and in-state lab. The majority of the labs for the past several years had been done in a major city through clinical trials. Seems silly, but could the significant change in numbers be due in part to a different lab running the samples?
Just curious. In the meantime, a small celebration...
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WooHoo!
I say take the happiness when and where you can.
Previously my cd4s rose to an amazing (for me anyway) 415 - the highest ever in 21 yrs of treatment. I made a bet with the doc that it was a fluke and my next labs would be back down to my "normal" 315 - and sure enough that's what happened. However, I do have bragging rights now on 415!!
So enjoy your bragging rights of 637 and be happy about it is what I say. ;) ;D
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Thanks, Leatherman!
Of course any "up" numbers -- aside from VL -- are good news. My 25 year averages have been in the low 300s too, but I'm on a long-overdue upswing.
But yes, it's all about the trend. I'll just put a gold star next to this one for now and keep on truckin'.
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Hi Moxie!
Great news! Not sure if a different lab would produce different numbers to any great degree. Sometimes for unexplained reasons numbers just bounce a bit.
My numbers generally were in the 500-800 range for over a decade of my 31 "pleasantly positive" years but the past two years the cork popped off and bounced off of the ceiling with numbers around 1000.
Physically I felt better before the pop so I'm not seeing the correlation in that regard. Still, it's nice to know that some things are improving even if it's just reading the CD4 count from a lab report. :)
m.
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so I'm not seeing the correlation in that regard.
to me, that's the big misconception about cd4 counts. Higher does not equate to feeling better. It doesn't equate to working better either. Higher only means your immune system is "larger". Just because someone has a high cd4 doesn't neccesarily mean that they "feel well"
and it's similar on the other end too. I know a LOT of people who had less than 100 count and couldn't hardly believe they were positive because they didn't "feel sick".
I would simply proffer that some of that not-feeling-as-well-as-before could be a side of effect of your 31 PP :) yrs (long term HIV inflammation damage) and quite simply those 31 years (seeing 2014 coming up on us reminds me that getting older is simply a problem all in itself). ;)
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to me, that's the big misconception about cd4 counts. Higher does not equate to feeling better. It doesn't equate to working better either. Higher only means your immune system is "larger". Just because someone has a high cd4 doesn't neccesarily mean that they "feel well"
and it's similar on the other end too. I know a LOT of people who had less than 100 count and couldn't hardly believe they were positive because they didn't "feel sick".
I would simply proffer that some of that not-feeling-as-well-as-before could be a side of effect of your 31 PP :) yrs (long term HIV inflammation damage) and quite simply those 31 years (seeing 2014 coming up on us reminds me that getting older is simply a problem all in itself). ;)
I agree on all counts. I am just hoping that 2014 has less stress than 2013. It took a toll and aging with hiv does a number on you on it's own.
I certainly don't want to scare the newly poz ,meaning those who were not the early guinea pigs, as their experiences may and probably will differ drastically because of the better meds. Each "generation" that face this illness are guinea pigs but the "kinks" are being worked out along the way. :)
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I agree on all counts. I am just hoping that 2014 has less stress than 2013. It took a toll and aging with hiv does a number on you on it's own.
I certainly don't want to scare the newly poz ,meaning those who were not the early guinea pigs, as their experiences may and probably will differ drastically because of the better meds. Each "generation" that face this illness are guinea pigs but the "kinks" are being worked out along the way. :)
Amen, Mitch!
And sometimes I have to kick myself to remember aging is a privilege. Someday it may sink in.
Thanks for the support you guys.
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And sometimes I have to kick myself to remember aging is a privilege. Someday it may sink in.
lol. same here.
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Even if it is an upward blip, I say CELEBRATE!!!!!!
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Place you Gold Star and Celebrate.
I agree with the feeling better before getting a glowing report. My doctor just shrugs and states that everyone is different.
Maybe your body will catch up to the news and you will start to feel better later.
congrats on the good news
Ronnie
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Nearly jumped off the examining table when my doc gave me my latest lab results: VL <20, CD4 637, and percentage 27%. I have NEVER had a CD4 count or percentage that high, and only three times had CD4 over 600, the last time in 2002. Of course I am thrilled that my current regimen appears to be working so well for the last 5 years.
But I have a niggling doubt. These are the first labs through a new doctor and in-state lab. The majority of the labs for the past several years had been done in a major city through clinical trials. Seems silly, but could the significant change in numbers be due in part to a different lab running the samples?
Just curious. In the meantime, a small celebration...
I have to learn of this wonderful news off this site? Really!
Maybe the significant change is not so much a change in docs and tests but a change in how you feel about yourself?
Loving life is healing. Feeling valued and loved and cared for . . . twice as healing...
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I have to learn of this wonderful news off this site? Really!
Maybe the significant change is not so much a change in docs and tests but a change in how you feel about yourself?
Loving life is healing. Feeling valued and loved and cared for . . . twice as healing...
Thanks, Dr. Fisher Feelgood!
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Sounds good to me Moxie :)
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas time :D
Weasel
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C E L E B R A T E ! ! !
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Hello Moxie ,
Bit late to this but would add my vote to both sides.Celebrate off course , I like One Tampas celebration here , but keep somewhere in mind that numbers are not the be all off life , then when you have done that celebrate again , and again .......
Michael