Got my 2nd test results and they look very confusing

[Japito]

I was diagnosed 2 months ago, my 1st results came out not bad according to my doc CD4 484, VL 7080, 27%.
Yesterday, went for my 2nd test results and they look very confusing, CD4 383, VL 5080, 21%.  I got concerned about the 100 drop in CD4, it's a lot.  It's true I'm been deeply depressed, but 100 drop seems to be too much to blame depression for it. I've been having issues with my stomach as well, and have lost around 10 lbs since diagnosed. My stomach has been bothering me for a while and I feel like it's inflamed, I'm afraid I might have a poisoned stomach.
My doc recommended to start taking pills against depression and I said we'll consider it. 
Do this number behavior seems normal to you guys? Am I going through the average "newbie to poz adaptation period" or I should get concern about my health?
Thank you,

[darwin]

I am still fairly new to all this as well:  As I understand it, CD4 count varies with circadian rhythm, diet, age, temperature... many, many factors.  I think changes of 100+/- are normal even in HIV- folks.

We'll need a more experienced poster to back me up though

[BT65]

Japito, given your recent diagnosis, it's not at all abnormal for your t-cells to jump around for awhile.  And your viral load might as well.  Your % is good.  It takes the body time to get used to the new "invader."

About your stomach, since you mentioned depression, I would guess that maybe your tummy problems are due to the depression.  I'm not trying to diagnose you; if you have serious problems, seek the advice of your doctor. 

I would suggest that you try to get into a good therapist to talk out what's going on with you.  Depression can play lots of tricks on one's mind and one's body.  You might want to get in contact with your Aids Service Organization; they could recommend a good therapist, and a support group if warranted.  About the antidepressant, well, that's really a call between you and your doctor.  Good luck.
  Luv,
Betty

[27years]

Numbers can jump from being high to extremely being low.  Since you are newly diagnosed its nothing very surprising.  It might take 2 or more test to find a trend in your numbers.   

As for stomach problem i cant really say its associated with depression.  Your Dr should be able to rule this out for you.  I think for now it would be ideal to find a professional counsellor whom you can open up on one to one basis so that he can find out the route of your depression.  Its easier to turn to hiv as a route when actually its other underlying problems which are causing the depression.

personally i was on antidepressants for five days and i stopped them because how i felt on them was worse than how i felt without them,  i realised I can deal with depression by talking to someone i feel comfortable with even if i know the person might not offer that much help but the fact that someone is listening makes it feel better for me.

Please seek medical advise on health issues and its my hope you get to grips with things as soon as possible, have a great better day

[Bicepguy]

Dont worry about the 100 drop - as stated above.  Also time of day, working out the day before, diet, being tired, and especially fighting an infection (eg in your stomach) can all effect CD4 and lower it. CD4s have a job to do - if you have an infection they wil e busy fighting it.
 
 Once you reach a steady state and your body starts to re-gain control then CD4 becomes more stable and it will be monitored for a trend.  Your body will be killing of copies of HIV, whilst HIV continues to multiply, and the battle starts.

The trend in CD4 numbers is measured over 6, 9 12 months.  Each time you get blood results it adds to the trend data.  This way you can ignore blips up or down and see the long term pattern.

[Andy Velez]

Japito, others have already said what I would about the numbers jumping around. Just make sure your doctor is keeping an eye on them and on your health in general.

As for the emotional part, you're bound to have a whole range of feelings coming up. The thing to avoid is isolation. I don't know where you're writing from and what is available to you in your area in terms of informed support like AIDS service organizations. If there is anything like that in your area they will likely offer either individual or group counseling. You are of course always welcome here to talk, to ask questions and to bring up anything that's on your mind.

If your stomach is really bothering you that's something to let your doctor know about. As far as medicating in relation to feelings I'm in a minority about that. We have our feelings and they come and go for good reasons. Sometimes medicating maybe helpful, but if one can tolerate them and know they aren't permanent, that's what personally I think is best.

It's good to hear from you. How is your day going today so far?

Cheers,   

[aliveinla]

Don't worry about the jump. See my signature.