bloodwork done and viral load question

[Bsc86]

So I got my first bloodwork done since being discharged from the hospital at the end of November! Kind of nervous, but hoping for good numbers.


On another note, can someone explain the log thing? I've tried reading websites and threads on here on calculations and tried figuring it out, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. What exactly is my Viral Load? Here's a screencap of my chart from November...but I just don't know exactly what it means.


Thanks guys! 

[J.R.E.]

Hello,...

Here's a chart that helps explain it. If you look in the column on the right for your approximate viral load  ( copies/ml ), you will get the log on the left column ;

http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/viral-load-converting-log-values-to-numbers


Ray

[Bsc86]

Thanks for that so basically what I'm getting is that my viral load is between 200 and 251? That's pretty damn awesome for someone who was near death 3 months ago! You just made my day! Thank you!

[J.R.E.]

Thanks for that so basically what I'm getting is that my viral load is between 200 and 251? That's pretty damn awesome for someone who was near death 3 months ago! You just made my day! Thank you!

   And eventually,   your log should get down to 1.9 or less ( depending on the test your doctor uses)

My blood test are done @ the VA and the test they use measures 75 or below.

So my log always comes out @ < 1.9 , or a viral load of 75


I would say that in the next few viral load tests, that your Viral load and Log will be even lower, so yes, that's a good thing !! Your goal is to be undetectable.


Did you switch to the new regimen on 11/12/12 or 1/8/13 ( today)



Take care ------Ray

[Bsc86]

I was actually switched to the current reg just after Thanksgiving...the combo of Truvada and Valcyte, with the Amphotericin treatments threw my kidneys in to quittin' mode and landed me in the hospital for severe dehydration. My ID doc and the docs at the hospital switched me right away and told me to quit Valcyte. Recovered pretty quick from that.

[Bsc86]

Well, I just got my test results from last week! Incredible. It's amazing how quick it's improved...maybe the vitamins actually do help. All my life I thought they were a joke. Now I just need to work on quitting all the soda....that's the toughie.


CD4 - 232 / 11%
VL - 182 / 2.26

[wolfter]

slow and steady, but getting there.  I assume you're done with the Ampoterrible treatments?  That's when I really started seeing my greatest improvements.

Take care
Wolfie

[Bsc86]

... I assume you're done with the Ampoterrible treatments?  That's when I really started seeing my greatest improvements ...

Oh yeah. I finished those back in November. But you're right, after finishing that, it's been increasing pretty nicely. I did have a slight drop back after getting off of it at the end November...my calcium sky-rocketed to like a 14.9 or something ridiculous. So, back to the hospital, and lots of saline w/ potassium later, and switching to Epzicom from Truvada...that really seemed to push it higher, too.

[wolfter]

Oh yeah. I finished those back in November. But you're right, after finishing that, it's been increasing pretty nicely. I did have a slight drop back after getting off of it at the end November...my calcium sky-rocketed to like a 14.9 or something ridiculous. So, back to the hospital, and lots of saline w/ potassium later, and switching to Epzicom from Truvada...that really seemed to push it higher, too.

I guess after 22 straight days of that, we can survive anything.   I was taking Truvada at the same time but luckily didn't have any issues.  My only problem was that I was already emaciated when I entered the hospital and the Ampo caused such nausea that I couldn't eat. 

Onward and upward!!

Wolfie

[bulldogpride02]

I use that  "IStayHealthy" App on my phone and tablet to chart my levels and had this same issue, i recently emailed the developer and explained to him that the app should give us the option to type in our #s and specify it as a LOG or absolute value, you can imagine my shock when he emailed me back DIRECTLY and thanked me for my advice (offered some of his own) but said he would be talking with his team about adding the option to the next update that will be coming out this summer, not only did i feel like i was touched by a famous person but i may have done something excellent for our community to make it easier to chart your results.

So I got my first bloodwork done since being discharged from the hospital at the end of November! Kind of nervous, but hoping for good numbers.


On another note, can someone explain the log thing? I've tried reading websites and threads on here on calculations and tried figuring it out, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. What exactly is my Viral Load? Here's a screencap of my chart from November...but I just don't know exactly what it means.


Thanks guys!