changes

[MarkB]

Hi all.

First of all, many thanks to those of you who have been both patient and supportive of me since I joined this site - you know who you are, and you know that I am grateful.

Last December I changed my clinic to one which is much closer. To be fair, I have only been there twice, but already I feel more comfortable with the setup they have and with the way I am being treated there. And my results have been unusual too. The last test I had in my ex-clinic showed that my CD4 had dropped to 480 and the % was also dropping (to 37%). The first sets of results in my new clinic came back with a CD4 of 934 and 47% (my HIV- lady consultant tells me that her CD4 is "... a measly 600" (her words)). These are the highest results I have ever had. Now as I haven't noticeably changed my sedentary, junk-food eating, red-wine consuming, exercise-free lifestyle, this all came as rather a surprise. Why the difference, and what to make of it all?

As to other things in my life, I now have employment again and am working my butt off, so at night I drag myself back to my virgin couch and just crash; also a recent legacy means that for the first time in my life I am able to buy a place of my own, which I will be moving into in April. That thought gives me great contentment. The ferocious depression of earlier years (which may perhaps have been at least partly Atripla-related) has not magically vanished, but there is a measure of peace these days and my life is more stable and productive now. Occasionally I even have feelings curiously reminiscent of happiness.

In one sense, the ex-clinic was turbocharged and, at times, just a tad menacing. I stopped talking to them about my depression because they would mutter darkly about having to "take action". So I just pretended to be happy whenever I went. They also were on my case about changing meds, which is certainly something I myself had considered. But the new clinic, which is much kinder and more laid-back (the laughs are good), has simply said that while the choice is mine, if it ain't broke why fix it?

It is, of course, a very good question. I would imagine that all meds come with side effects of one kind or another, but while Atripla has been a toughie in some ways, I have not had any physical problems (maybe I'm just getting used to it). Plus it would appear to be doing the job. So I ask myself, "stick or twist"?

Any thoughts?


/... edited for clarity and typos

[weasel]

 Hi Mark ,
              You sound like everything is going great !

    Numbers change ,   I don't know why ?

    Your outlook is what really matters .   

   As for changing  your  HARRT  .    My first  HIV Doctor told me never to change

    unless  something went wrong !   

    I am on  Truvada ,Rayatz ,Norvir ..........And several  Mental pills 

    I feel FAB   , Most of the time .    Maybe cause My Mental pills MASK  the pain

    and anguish ?     Life is good .

                                         Wishing you the best   .

                                                         Weasel 

[MarkB]

Thanks for replying, Weasel, and all the best to you too.

 

M

[Theyer]

Enjoy the contentment , only you can decide on the meds but you are allowed to go for all three. Clinic,Home AND meds.

Take care
mhtv