First blood work numbers are in. Feedback please!

[indyguy]

My doctor called and said the following numbers were in vl 17,000 and 384. He wants me to start Atripla. What are your thoughts? Does this sound right? They took 9 vials of blood and I really trust this guy. He has been very supportive and of course him being gay is a big help. He has about 250 hiv patients.

[redhotmuslbear]

My doctor called and said the following numbers were in vl 17,000 and 384. He wants me to start Atripla. What are your thoughts? Does this sound right? They took 9 vials of blood and I really trust this guy. He has been very supportive and of course him being gay is a big help. He has about 250 hiv patients.

Hmmm.... remember this always:  it's your choice, not your doctor's, whether you take meds and what meds you take;  and you need to take those choices based on as much logic and knowledge as possible.

Now, were I in your shoes today, I'd be torn between the CD4 and viral load indicators.  You were not quite at the common trigger point of CD4=350, but damned close;  and the viral load isn't THAT high.  If I didn't start meds now, I would re-test in two or three months with a concrete set of target numbers in mind that would trigger taking meds.

As for the choice of meds, it's nice that there's a one-a-day option;  however, it does contain Sustiva with its potential effects on your nervous system, like feeling hung over or groggy for days as you adjust or not.  Viramune plus Truvada would be a one pill in the AM, two in the PM, combo from the same drug classes and without the CNS effects.... how would the doc feel about that?  would you be able to handle it? 

Best,
David

[indyguy]

Well being new to this I have put everything in his hands. He did say I was right on the brink. He also said that if I wanted he would prescribe me a anti-depressant to help with side effects and overall stress of everything. But he said that was up to me. I am a little worried, I suppose that is normal. The deductable is going to be high and on my income that sucks. What to do?

[mjmel]

Do it.

[Ihavehope]

Hey Indy

Follow your heart and if you trust your doctor then start. It will not hurt you to get another lab test in a month or so to see if they went up or down. If they went up than perhaps you can wait a little longer but your number kind of indicates that it is time. You have the choice to start in a few weeks or in a few months. Did your doctor do a geno test to find out if you are resistant to any drugs? Most people aren't resistant to any drugs but there has been an outbreak of people newly infected who are. Don't read to much into the side-effects because it will only worry you more than u need to.

Al

[indyguy]

I think he did. He has about 250 patients so I am sure he knows whats up.

[aupointillimite]

I'd get another set of labs and then see what they are.  Yes, you're close to the 350 range, but your viral load isn't really high.

You have the luxury of time with those results... I'd wait.

[woodshere]

I think he did. He has about 250 patients so I am sure he knows whats up.

Even though he has 250 patients doesn't mean he will get everything right with every patient.  My ID doc is one of the leaders in HIV medicine where I live and has been doing this for a long time. At my second visit he gave me my initial labs and was going to recommend medications and realized he had not ordered the geno test.  So we did that one and then got my meds.  Things sometimes fall through the cracks so be diligent in your healthcare.  In deciding meds I went with what was best for my lifestyle with out major regards for side effects and choose meds that would be easier for me to be adherent.

Good luck
Woods

[Ann]

Indy,

I don't care how many patients your doctor has, one thing he doesn't have is a crystal ball. You can't really tell anything from one single set of labs - and your numbers are actually quite good. Your next numbers a couple months down the line could very well be in the 4 or 500s. You are in no immediate danger and you do have time to consider your options.

Please have a look at my post here: http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=8821.msg107430#msg107430

Your CD4% is also a very important number. You can read about it in this lesson: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/1122_4727.shtml

You do have time to learn more about hiv and the meds. They are a big commitment and if you aren't really ready to start taking them, you could be setting yourself up for trouble in the future. Please don't feel pressured by your doc to start sooner than you need to.

Ann

[indyguy]

I will discuss this with him. Thanks for all the feedback. Not wanting to take meds if I dont have to not to mention the expense even with insurance. Thanks everyone you all have been a big help. Michael

[tinydaniell]

indy another thing that you might want to do is to get a copy of all blood work ask if he did a geno or pheno test that way he knows what drugs study up and go to www.rxppa.com to see if you can gat some assistance on the drugs

[tinydaniell]

sorry its www.pparx.org

[PJC0510]

My first results (April 15, 2006)  were TCells 130 and the VL around 9000...My doctor who is gay also, put me on Truvada and Kaltera, which I am still on.

My last results (Jan 7, 2007) were Tcells 379 and the VL undetectable.

I left it in my Doctors hands also and it is working out with the numbers.

I went through the beginning side effects of the meds, and do not want to go through any of that again.  As long as the currents meds keep doing what they should be, I will not change.

Good Luck!  Keep us informed of how everything is going!

Peace, Love and Happiness!

[Fosbery]

Hey everyone,

I'm curious about something, my numbers are pretty much where Indy's are, and his ID doctor wants to start him on meds at 350, I have one if not the top ID doctor in my area and he's been my doctor for around 15 years. He told me that the magic number to start me on meds is 300, is this something that changes doctor to doctor or by whom ? I have only known about this about a year now and still so confused by all the medical terminology and do's and don't's. I'm going to Europe for 6 weeks in September and I would rather not have to worry about meds at that time. Does anyone know if it is better to start at 350 or 300 ?  I'm going for my 3 month test on April 9, I hope it goes up some but it seems that everytime I'm tested my CD4 goes down by about 20. Any feed back on this. I know how Indy feels, I also know I would like to go as long as I can without being on meds. But if I have to go on them for my sake earlier I most certainly would.