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Author Topic: Two things...  (Read 6844 times)

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Offline unseenparagon

  • Member
  • Posts: 7
Two things...
« on: August 05, 2007, 05:36:14 pm »
Hi.  Ok. First: I am so freaking BORED!  Next: I have a question about my blood work.  I was infected about 5 months ago and tested positive about two weeks ago.  My CD4 count was 502 28% and my VL was 55,121.  Is this normal?  Would you go on medication; since the VL is high?  Is it high due to recent infection?  My doctor tells me that I am fine, but seeing as how this is my first test--it's freaking me out!!  Last:  Thank you for all the support and answers!!
--Shane

Offline thunter34

  • Member
  • Posts: 7,374
  • His name is Carl.
Re: Two things...
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2007, 05:54:22 pm »
Yes, it can be high due to recent infection and...

No, not a chance I would go on meds with those numbers. 

Relax.  You've got your whole life to be one 'em once you start. 
AIDS isn't for sissies.

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: Two things...
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2007, 06:02:00 pm »
You need to wait to have a couple of more lab work ups done to see how your CD4 and VL are doing. It's possible with what you have if it's maintained you won't go on meds for a long time.

Offline milker

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  • Posts: 4,034
  • Protected phone sex
Re: Two things...
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2007, 06:48:30 pm »
If you're bored then you can read the lessons: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/BloodTest_5030.shtml You will see that 55000 is not high, it's average. Like Rapid said, you need more blood tests done to see how your body reacts to the infection. Relax and don't be bored, educate yourself there is plenty to learn ! :)

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

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Offline kellyspoppi

  • Member
  • Posts: 153
Re: Two things...
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2007, 03:20:38 pm »
i have to agree with thunter, rapid, and milker on this one, and reinforce the need for you to get yourself educated.

there are many theories out there on when to start meds. as someone who went 10 years without having to take them, and in the last 12 years have only been on 2 different regimens, it bothers me to know there are so many newly infecteds that have been put on meds soon after diagnosis. to me the more treatment options i have, the greater my chance is to live a quality life

i understand the theory that, within the medical community, the sooner you are on the meds the less compromised your immune system gets. but that is their belief, and i am not a doctor who can scientifically prove them wrong.

i only have my experience to go by, and i will take the 10 years without meds and their side effects any day over what might have happened to my immune system. i haven't even had to be hospitalized over the last 22 years and haven't missed a day of work for hiv related medical problems. yet, i also know i was diagnosed early after initial infection.

some newly diagnosed folks may have been infected quite some time ago and are having to go on meds because they were so sick by the time hiv was found in their system. these folks need to get on meds if the numbers indicate that.

but if someone is involved in a risky behavior one night and decides to get tested shortly thereafter, and tests positive, i would get as educated as i possibly could to be able to make an informed decision with my doctor when to start.

i have posted this feeling once and i will post it again. who stands to profit the most by getting us on meds as soon as possible?

being an informed and educated patient assures you your best chance of a long life with this disease.

good luck and may you live a long and healthy life!

kellyspoppi     

Offline raroy273

  • Member
  • Posts: 126
  • Me
    • For amore about me....
Re: Two things...
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2007, 03:21:19 pm »
Since your CD4's are good I would not go on meds.  And this is only your first test so wait and see, meds change your life.  I did not have the luxury that you have of waiting to go on meds, my VL was 85,000 and CD4's were 135 so I had to.  Like Milker said there is plenty to learn both on here from others as well as books.  One that I picked up and is helpful is the First Year of HIV.  It explains what to expect, what to think about, creating the life you want, etc.  I am going on 3 months of knowing that I am postive.  Take it day by day.  
6/8/07 VL = 86,000 CD4 = 135
6/14/07 Started Combivir/Kaletra
6/29/07 VL = 364 CD4 = 351
8/30/07 VL =<50 CD4 = 156
9/19/07 VL=<50 CD4 = 361
12/3/07 VL = <50 CD4 = 250 14.3%
5/2/08 VL = <50 CD4 = 491 25%
8/4/08 VL = <50 CD4 = 292 21%
9/8/08 VL = <50 CD4= 331

Offline NYCguy

  • Member
  • Posts: 181
Re: Two things...
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2007, 07:39:25 pm »
Also agree - 55,000 isn't that high. Mine was over 250,000 and I know people who had it go over a million when they first found out.  Just do what the doctor says, watch the t-cells (esp. the %) and educate yourself - not obsessively!  And you'll be fine.  As I said in response to one of your earlier posts, the 'statistics' now say 33 years is an average time you can expect to live if newly diagnosed at current treatment levels.  While stats should always be taken with a huge grain of salt, what this one means to you is that as long as you take care of yourself (and this means mentally as well as physically) you'll be happy and healthy for many, many years and most likely live way beyond that silly number due to all the advances that are and will happen.
11/9/06 = #$%^&!
sometime early Dec 2006:
CD4 530 20%/VL >250,000 (&*$$%!!)
started Reyataz300mg/Norvir/Truvada 12-27-06.
1/30/07 CD4 540 30%/VL <400
4/07 CD4 600+ 33%/VL <50
6/9/07 CD4 720 37%/VL <50
10/15/07 CD4 891 (!) %? VL <50
1/2010 CD4 599 (37%) VL<50 (drop due to acute HCV)
9/2010 - looks like HCV is gone for good! And I'm finally drinking again, thank GOD
2013 - considering a switch to Stribild. but I love my Kidneys (but I hate farting all the time!)...
June 2013 - switched to Stribild.  so far so good...

 


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