Viral Blip but that's not the confusing part...

[BigAndStrongSoul]

Went to the doctor for blood work and got my results back which are baffling.

T Cell 388

Viral load is now 1700

Two months ago my viral load was 2016. My doctor is telling that this is a blip. I'm not on meds yet due to being charged 1300 which I informed him of.

[Jim Allen]

Why the surprise?

You are not on meds and have a detectable viral load, sounds pretty much expected.

Jim

[Ptrk3]

You should get on meds as soon as practicable so that your CD4's do not fall below 200.

If you have financial issues, get advice from your doctor as how best to proceed, since he or she will likely know how to put you into contact with social support systems or other advocacy groups.

Pharmaceutical companies also have programs to assist people with the cost of HIV antretroviral medication(s) and/or the cost of (private) insurance copays.

Access this link and peruse the information found through it:

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/drug-assistance-programs

Link to HIV antiretroviral medications:

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/hiv-medications

Starting HIV antiretroviral medication link:

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/starting-hiv-treatment

[Jim Allen]

Yeah, OP its been 3 years now?

I agree with Patrick on getting help for the financial situation and coat of meds.

Because next to the directly measured results the indirect damage being done will be something you want to avoid. Long term outcomes people even with low VL's are better on medication, hence the treat all recommendations.

https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=51849.msg719533#new

Jim

[BigAndStrongSoul]

Thanks. There working on it. I just surprised by him calling this a blip when it's not. I'm aware of this and will starts meds soon once my insurance situation is resolved.

[Wade]

I just want to add there are several on these boards that put off meds also for what ever reason. Most have admitted regretting it, the sooner you are on meds the less damage is done to your body.
I only hope you are serious about starting, because to be honest you don't sound it.

Wade

[Mightysure]

I'm very confused. A blip is typically defined as a small increase from a very low or undetectable Vl. Usually 200 copies or less.
You had a decrease, you're not on treatment and I'm guessing you've never been undetected. So I don't know why your doctor called this untreated decrease a blip.
Seems like a natural fluctuation.

[ray_in_texas]

Hi bigandstrongsoul! I hope you are doing well and I hope you get your insurance and medication difficulties all resolved.

I can see the confusion about how a decrease in viral load could be a "blip". In my experience and understanding it is not uncommon to have viral load blips, mostly showing an increase from undetectable or low VL. I can kind of understand how your VL change could still be a blip. Although I haven't experienced this, it is my understanding that if my VL were checked say weekly, I would likely show more blips, simply from machine errors. You're looking at a microscopic count of a virus in a tiny drop of blood. Although the machines have gotten very good, they are not perfect and will show a variance (high or low) from time to time, therefore, a blip. I am truly amazed that medical science is even advanced enough to detect and count the HIV-RNA in such a microscopic amount of blood sample.

[mecch]

BigAndStrongSoul - you have to start treating your HIV infection. It sounds like the issue is financial so put your head to the grindstone and figure out a way you can treat HIV.  Is the NUMBER ONE and only thing to do, really.  If you can't figure out the finances on your own, why not enlist a social worker of some kind to come up with a solution? I hope you find one soon. Courage