Back from the brink -- cd4's up big time, not on meds yet

[Nashvegas]

I think I was infected last summer and am not on meds yet.  As of February 8, my CD4's were at 228 (down from 373 just two months earlier) and my viral load was a 865.  I was preparing myself for the possibility of having to go on meds immediately, but a look of folks here recommended that I sit tight and make sure that the t-cell drop wasn't a fluke.  Well, I'm happy to report that my latest labs (taken a month later), show that my CD4 count has risen to 365 (one for every day of the year!).  A  big sigh of relief from me!  (I'm not particularly afraid to go on meds, but my prescription drug cap is just $1,500 and I don't qualify for ADAP, so I'll be paying out of pocket when I do start).

I had a nasty little staph infection in early January, which my doctor thinks may have been responsible for the CD4 drop I experienced.   Once it resolved, my numbers rebounded.  But being so close to the magic "200" did give me a swift kick in the butt, and made me a little more proactive.  I started working out on a more consistent basis, and I also started taking K-Pax supplements.  I don't know whether these things contributed to my t-cell rise, but I'm feeling pretty good right now. 

Just wanted to let others know that fluctuations in CD4's are common, and you numbers can rise even without starting meds.  My t-cells may well have gone below 200 when the staph infection was active, but they're well above that level now.   Especially if you're in your first year of infection, the numbers are gonna bounce around a bit. 

Cheers!   

[aztecan]

Hey Nash,

Yep, the first year or so, the numbers can bounce around like a member of the Folies Berger!

I'm glad you rebounded and all is going well.

HUGS,

Mark

[Nashvegas]

Thanks Az... 

You were one of the people who helped me get through this. Appreciate it!

[Longislander]

glad you've rebounded and recovered from the infection~

Your VL count is nice and low. Did this have anything to do with deciding not to start when you had CD4s at 228?

Going to the gym, and taking better care of yourself definitely won't hurt~

Congrats~

[sdcabincrew74]

1500 dollar cap?  Are you sure that is not your deductible?  My meds are like 2000 PER MONTH!  You need to look into getting coverage BEFORE you need meds man.  I have never heard of cap so low on 'scripts??

[Nashvegas]

Hi LongIslander -- Yep, the low viral load was deifnitely a factor in not starting meds sooner.  If my viral load had been heading north at the same time my load was heading south, I suspect I would have started meds already. 

And, no, CabinCrew, it's NOT a typo, I'm afraid.  $1,500 CAP.  I have an individual policy through Blue Cross that didn't require a physical.  So once I've used the first $1,500 (say three weeks into treatment!), I'll be picking up the tab.  I know: it sort of sucks doesn't it.  :-(   

[aztecan]

Hey Nash,

I know someone who had a very similar cap on his prescription coverage. It really sucked because he needed to start meds.

I told him to drop his private insurance and we finagled a little and got him on ADAP, then on a state-sponsored insurance plan.

Since yours is an individual policy, can you renegotiate for another plan with a better prescription plan?

If not, you may want to examine all of your options and speak to your ASO about what is available for those without insurance, such as Ryan White and ADAP.

It is preferable to do this before you actually need it, so you aren't operating under crisis mode.

While private insurance is usually pretty good, there are some plans that it is actually better to do without.

HUGS,

Mark