Bit of bad news

[Almost2late]

So I saw my ID today and kidney numbers are better at GFR 74, up from 53 couple of years ago but my cd4 is 177 down from 307 in January. My vl is at 106 so the doc wants to do the test again in a couple of weeks. Percentage is up to 15%, that's up from January​ which was 14%.. I'm a bit down about it, trying not to let it get me too depressed.

It's funny but I kind of had the feeling this shit was going to happen bc I was feeling that pressure around my neck which I wasn't feeling when I was at 307.

Sorry to be such a big baby about this, just don't know why I'm going through this.. seems everytime I start moving forward the fucking virus knocks me down. So tired of this.

[Ptrk3]

I wouldn't worry much about the CD4 fluctuation.  They happen.  It's good that your percentage (15%) is decent and that your viral load is nearly undetectable (and would be so considered under "undetectable" viral load standards not long ago).

If anything, your goal is to continue adherence in order to achieve an undetectable viral load in order that your CD4's consistently improve, but it is not unusual for someone who had a low CD4 nadir and who likely had the HIV infection for a long time before diagnosis to have a slow CD4 recovery (I, too, am one of those people).

Your viral load is the more important factor at the moment and you are making considerable progress there!

Are you still on Bactrim?

All you can do is continue to adhere to your antiretroviral regimen and work with your healthcare provider (and he/she appears to be well on top of things, so that's very good).

Things will improve in time. 

Continue to be well.

[Jim Allen]

Its a blip, can happen no need to stress.I know that is easier said than done.
But look you will be fine, keep taking you meds and see what the next result is.

Jim

[paintedroom]

Just to echo what ptrk said on slow risers and low nadirs  - I had a nadir of 50 about 9 months ago at dx which meant i probably had the virus for a long time.Almost 3 months ago it was 193 so i`m a slow riser and it is disappointing..but i`m undetectable and i feel pretty good apart from my salty sea dog below hiding his bone.
I`m being master of the obvious i know but listen to those most experienced here and take their advice to the bank.They have been sage guides for me throughout and have eased my terrors and anxieties no end.It`s a blip.Put it out of your mind,blow a kiss up to the gods and carry on regardless !

[harleymc]

You still have way more cd4s than me so go out and celebrate life.

[DANIELtakashi]

Almost,

   It is natural for us to feel down when the blood result is not what we expect or hope for.  But in your case, it is a blip as everyone has said.   I was down with a cold one week ago - fatigue, cough, fever - l think my number might have been lower than usual at that time. But without medicine, l got over it in three days.  Sometimes we get indisposed but maybe we are stronger with our boosted immune with medication?  You will be all right.

[Almost2late]

Okay, got a better perspective today.. I know somethings up with my body cause I had night sweats last night and still some tightness around the neck, never the less  got my workout in this morning, moving forward cause I got a trip coming up.

Yeah, putting it out of my mind for now if I can, I'll try.. I'm usually an optimist so should be easy, lol.. thanks a lot fellas for the help, I think I was just overwhelmed yesterday.

[leatherman]

cd4 is 177 down from 307

if you consider how cd4s can change by 100 pts in a single day, then this isn't that big of change. 

Of course, you should never really much care about the results from just one test. You need to always consider the trend over at least 3 tests. Looking at your numbers (like the last four of 167 - 222 - 307 - 177), you have trended (with some small dips down and some bumps up) on an upward trend. WooHoo!

unfortunately it just takes time, when you've been at such a low point, to recover. Hang in there, stay adherent, and you'll see the improvement you've had in the last few years continuing

(I hit a nadir of 7 one time and it took me 12 years to get and sustain >200. Of course, that was through the early years of meds, so it's no wonder it took some time; but I can totally understand your worries about the length of recovery time.)

[Almost2late]

Thanks for that too Leather, you always clear things up so well.

[Tonny2]

          OJO         HELLO @ALMOST2LATE...I FEEL BAD YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS SITUATION WITH YOUR "SOLDIERS", PLEASE HANG IN THERE, BE PATIENT. i ALSO THINK THAT YOUR VIRAL LOAD IS A BLIP, LET'S WAIT AND SEE NEXT BLOOD WORK RESULTS, YOU WILL SEE, AGAIN, <20, UD...NOW, GO AND ENJOY YOURSELF, FORGET ABOUT THE "NUMBERS" AND ENJOY LIFE AND YOUR TRIP. IF YOU INVITE ME TO YOUR TRIP, I WILL SHARE SOME OF MY SOLDIERS WITH YOU, DEAL?...BIG, CYBER HUG ON YOUR WAY, WHEREVER YOU ARE                                                       ojo

[daveR]

The trend in your CD4 % shows a steady increase from day one. Heading in the right direction still.

[Almost2late]

BIG HUGS TO YOU TOO TONNY2  AND daveR, THANK YOU BOTH.. REALLY AM FEELING MORE AT EASE WITH NOW

[JosephP]

  Almost2late, I echo everyone's sentiment although I know how disturbing and scary it can be. I also had a 'blip' on my VL and I was almost in full panic mode. Dr. reordered tests and I think I broke every single traffic law trying to get there... Then the wait.. Man, the wait... Finally results came back and they were better! The blip was just two points off! I always feel uneasy when it is time to have blood tests again... But I think we share a special bond, although not necessarily one we want to have! Hang in there...

[TheNormalLife]

As others have said, don't worry too much for absolute CD4 numbers. They fluctuate and they do that a lot. On my very last visit to the vampire, the lab performed two counts (God knows why) with different absolute numbers. The percentage, however turned out to be the same.

Wait for the next set and examine the trends.

Ray.

[Almost2late]

Thank you Normal and Joseph..

So I'm now supposed to go and get re-tested since the two weeks have gone by.. but now i got a nasty cold and i know this could effect the blood test in a negative way.. Thinking I should wait another week to retest.. Or are there any reasons I shouldn't wait?

[Almost2late]

So yeah, I was sick with the cold, a pretty nasty one so I postponed my test about a week.. then I went in to take the blood test although I was still congested with mucus in my lungs and sinus.. Results came back with cd4's at 255 and vl 71, oh well that's better than before and who knows maybe most of those badboys aren't even harmful, dead virus..

In hindsight I think it was the colonoscopy I had months earlier that fucked up my guts and send the virus outta whack.. not ever doing that again..

On the brighter side, I've lost ten pounds due to intermittent fasting and feel a hell of a lot better.

[Ptrk3]

I'm glad to read that your CD4's are safely above 200, that your viral load is, essentially, undetectable, and that you are feeling much better!

[Wade]

Hey... That's great news Almost !

[Tonny2]

         OJO         HELLO ALMOST...CONGRATULATIONS...KEEP FIGHTING...HUGS