New set of lab results for raltegravir (aka MK-0518 aka Isentress)

[allanq]

I know several people are currently taking Fuzeon and are contemplating switching to the Merck integrase inhibitor raltegravir when it gets approved (in October, I hear). Here's my latest set of lab results, which I just got back today. This is the third set of labs since I stopped Fuzeon and started raltegravir in February 2007. (My other HIV meds are Sustiva and Prezista/Norvir)

The important thing is that my VL is still undetectable. So I feel confident that the switch from Fuzeon to raltegravir was the right decision. After 3½ years of Fuzeon, the injection site reactions were only getting worse, and it is a huge relief to be free of them. It took about a month and a half for all the sore spots to heal.

My CD4's continue to go nowhere. They're currently at 151, which is about the same as they have been for the past 4 years. Two months ago, I started a selenium supplement (200 mcg daily), but it seems to be doing nothing to improve my CD4's. My CD4% has improved very slightly. It used to be in the 9 to 10% range; it's now 11.6%. Not exactly an earth-shaking improvement! Despite the low CD4's, I feel fine and have not had any problems. I've seen people on these forums panic when their CD4's go below 350 or when their CD4 percentage goes below 25%. I'm living proof that you can do well with under 200 CD4's.

Allan