CD4 drop

[alliance]

I went to the doc a few days ago and found, what I think is,  a drastic drop in my cd4 - check out my signature below. He said the good news was my % increased and even better I am still undetectable.

He ordered some blood tests, he said I could get them today or wait for my next draw in 3 months, so I got them right away. White blood cells etc.

So it was kind of a kick in the ass, I was hoping for more improvement - Im still kind of new at this. But I was starting to feel more in control but not so much now.

What do you think?  (Usually some one answers here "you're going to die")

[pozniceguy]

Not to worry, this sort of "blip"  seems to happen occassionally....  the longer term trend is whats important...  it could have been a wrong reading in the lab or just some anomaly  in the normal course of your body fighting the virus...  I have had several of those over the last 12 yrs  but always undetec..  and gradually the have climbed higher,  ..  started at  2...yes no mistake...  2 ... now over 400 

Nick

[tednlou2]

I got the "You're going to die" remark recently myself.  However, he redeemed himself with some helpful info.  

I keep hearing after starting meds docs really look at the % and vl, but I'm not telling you anything you haven't heard.  Have you been sick with anything?  More stress than norm?  Less sleep than norm?  I'll let the better informed folks take it from here on the CD4.  

[skeebo1969]

I got the "You're going to die" remark recently myself.  However, he redeemed himself with some helpful info.  

 I would never do such a thing.


  Alliance,

      I understand your disappointment and to be honest I would have felt the same five years ago.  It takes time is all I can say.  It's really not about control of the virus, let your immune system work that out.  What you have "control" of is your life and that means not letting it turn a good day into a bad one. 

     It's really not that big of a drop.  The problem lies in that your immune system is still recovering so your numbers are low to begin with.  A drop like you've just experienced seems like a lot with numbers that low, but it is a flunctuation that many of us here experience every blood draw.  I agree with the doctor, the % increase is a very good sign; your immune system is recovering.

     Just relax, you'll be ok.  Talking about it (sharing here) sure does help though.... well, it did in my case anyways. 

     Skeebo

[Robert]

hi alliance.

maybe it's time to hang ten again.  Your %'s are good so I wouldn't worry.  In another 3 months the numbers will pop right back up where they were.  I hovered in that range for 5 years. 

With fall coming I guess you can forget the surf board (unless you can fit in a business trip to Laguna Beach) so maybe you shuold just enjoy the fall colors.
that does wonders for t-cells.

robert

[esper]

hey alliance, I just had the same thing happen when I got my tests last week, so was glad to see your topic and the responses. My doc wasn't concerned, said long-term trend is the key (as pozniceguy said), and like the other responses confirm, he said there will definitely be ups and downs in CD4 count for various "normal" reasons. keys are undetectable VL, which you've had (it only took you 4 months to get to UD, great....I just got there and we started the same meds about the same time), and CD4%. I did have a bit of an uptick in lipids so gotta keep an eye on that. anyway, you've got the two keys going in the right direction. good luck and keep well. esper

[bmancanfly]

It's hard not to be concerned when you see your CD4 absolute number go down,  but as others have said fluctuations in the absolute count are normal.  Your CD4 percentage went up and that's good news.  Try not to worry.

And you are going to die - eventually.   

[WillyWump]

  (Usually some one answers here "you're going to die")

MissP should be along shortly to give you the token "you're going to die".

But like the others stated since your percentage held/slightly increased I think this is just a blippie. I know it's hard not to freak out, but hang in there buddy youll bounce right back up.

-Will

[metekrop]

where is your CD drop.  It rather increased.  But your need to request why your VL is some how high. 

[skeebo1969]

where is your CD drop.  It rather increased.  But your need to request why your VL is some how high. 

You might be reading it backwards.  His latest labs are at the top.

[metekrop]

You might be reading it backwards.  His latest labs are at the top.

Wow..

[Nestor]

Hi Alliance,

Your percentage has gone up steadily the whole past year; I think that's the main thing and it's good news.  As for your cd4 count, it's basically been in the same ballpark the whole time, and this time it happened to be on the low end of the spectrum.  It happened to be on the high end of the spectrum last time, which makes the change from that to this seem, perhaps, more dramatic than it is.  I would think this is a case where the percentage is telling the more important part of the story. 

[eric48]

Hi Nestor,

Just noticed that you have been 5 years 'enhanced'

and you are not on meds.

Yr CD4 and % are fine but VL a bit high which in my humble opinion means that you have a good number of CD8 killing 'enhanced' CD4, which in your case, fortunatly regenarate petty well so that balance is maintained.

But this, at the expense of CD8. They replicate, but extensive replication leads to aging and exhaustion

Just wondering... Keep well

Eric 

[Granny60]

Still a pretty decent CD4. A lot of things can affect CD4,  another illness like the flu, stress, your age, time of day of your test,  how well you have been eating. All kinds of stuff. What makes a difference is your trend line.  chart if  for  several months and see if it continues to drop, or rise.  Hubby has been up and down like a yoyo.  Anywhere from 309 to 138 and all over between.  That is why they  say the percent   is a better predictor  though I personally think some put a little too much stock in that , because percent relies a lot on how well CD8 helper cells are doing too. If your CD4 continues to drop over the next few months  and your percent  drops, especially with a continued rise in VL I imagine you doctor will start to react.   Hope this gives you a little insight. Your numbers are still better than most people I know.

[tednlou2]

Wow..

I made the same mistake at first. 

[Lou-ah-vull]

Percentage up is the key...yours is going nicely in the right direction.  Absolute numbers fluctuate, maddeninly sometimes, but well within the range of fluctuation.  Keep the faith!

Gary