POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Bartro on November 16, 2006, 08:20:53 pm

Title: Six Months Out.
Post by: Bartro on November 16, 2006, 08:20:53 pm

It's been a little more than six months since my diagnosis.  I appreciate the support provided by the members of the forum.  The first couple of months were very frightening. Your kind words and understanding were, and still are of immense help to me.  I feel lucky that I have responded so well to treatment.  Thank you all.

4/27/2006
40,800 viral load
Platelet count of 1000
CD4 339 17 %

6/1/2006
Platelets 27000
CD4 342
VL 181 19%

8/4/2006
VL undetectable. 
CD4 301 20%
Platelets 31,000

11/2/2006
CD4  364 27%
Platelets 38000
VL undectable

Title: Re: Six Months Out.
Post by: allopathicholistic on November 16, 2006, 08:24:37 pm

(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/aycm8620/Urocklavend.jpg)
Yup, we're here for you honey! Keep up the good work!

Title: Re: Six Months Out.
Post by: ndrew on November 16, 2006, 08:40:10 pm

Wow, congrats!

Drew

Title: Re: Six Months Out.
Post by: Eldon on November 16, 2006, 08:41:39 pm

Hey Bartro,

Yes, we are here for you and your numbers are looking good. Congratulations!



Make the BEST of each Day!

Title: Re: Six Months Out.
Post by: Life on November 16, 2006, 08:56:08 pm

SLAM DUNK! ;D

Title: Re: Six Months Out.
Post by: Blixer on November 16, 2006, 08:58:16 pm

Great results!  Thanks for sharing!!!!

Title: Re: Six Months Out.
Post by: poet on November 17, 2006, 09:04:06 am

Excellent progress.  Now, six months out, since I am a demanding person, see if you can start stretching out when you go for labwork (with physician approval) and go for the long view in which the numbers may go up, may go down, but you can start to see a straight line ahead.  Best, Win

Title: Re: Six Months Out.
Post by: Bartro on November 17, 2006, 09:43:00 am

The doc wants to keep seeing me every three months.  I'm more worried about my blood platelets (Thrombocytopenia) than the other.  The excessive bruising and bleeding is what initiated my HIV test.  Initiially I could push on my skin and develop a huge bruise.  I was getting nosebleeds that wouldn't stop.  It was very frightening.  There was also a risk of brain hemmorhage.  I was given an MRI to make sure there was no damage to the brain.  In a way I guess this wasn't the worst way to find out I was infected.  My CD4s hadn't tanked out yet and I hadn't developed PCP or any of the other illnesses I've read about here.  I feel kind of foolish now for not getting routine testing for HIV.  There is an anonymous testing center just a few blocks from where I live.

How often do most of you get your lab work done?  Once my platelets are in normal range I would feel comfortable seeing the doctor less often. 

Title: Re: Six Months Out.
Post by: poet on November 17, 2006, 04:02:20 pm

Hey Rusty.  We had a whole range the last time we discussed the time between labwork.  I am trying to push for every 6 months since I have been on the same meds with the same results for so many years.  I started, as with you, at every three months, then pushed for every four.  It's a question for you to think about, read about and talk over with your doctor, perhaps slowly moving away from 3 once you and your doctor feel that things are stable.  I simply got to the point of being guilty that I was using funds for labwork which could go to someone else for labwork.  Win

Title: Re: Six Months Out.
Post by: northernguy on November 18, 2006, 01:05:07 pm

Thrombocytopenia?  I'd never heard of that until today.  Now after googling it I see it's just one more treat we might have to deal with  :(