Should I start treatment?

[Lguy]

Hi All,
 I am poz for 1.5 year already. At the beginning my vl was 370. Doctor told that until vl is above 350, I do not need meds if its ok for me and no opportunistic diseases. Now my vl is around 355-340 (past several tests). I am of the opinion to start meds as later as possible (in any case not bellow vl 350-300). Now using herbs to maintain vl.

What is your suggestion, to start meds or wait for some time, if I fell normal at vl 350. Btw, in my country meds are prescribed if vl is bellow 350.

Thank a lot.

[buginme2]

You mean cd4 count right?  You keep saying vl (viral load) but that doesn't make sense.

If you mean cd4 then yes you should start meds.

[ad2san]

I  agree w bug ... Under 500 CD4 it is recommended to start treatment.

PS: herbs won't help, unfortunately

[Lguy]

Yes, had in mind cd4 instead vl. Thanks for replays. I afrraid to start med (side affects) and psicholigical grounds also exist. Herbs from China helps to maintain cd4, but deffinetly not for long.
Doctor told me that if i care of myself, i can start meds only after year or two. But as i see this approach has negatyve part and risk for me and others (vl is reduced but still high of course).

[ad2san]

Herbs from China helps to maintain cd4

no they don't ! this is BS.

Don't delay the start of therapy ... it is the best way to take care of yourself ... and, you will see afterward, not such a big deal !
The higher the CD4 count, the better the chances to reach, within a reasonable time,  good level of CD4.

Cheers

[mecch]

You should start treatment as soon as the meds are offered to you and are not a financial burden.

The herbs are probably a placebo. Its been proven nothing really stops the march to AIDS, except HAART. 

On the other hand, I don't want to dismiss your fears about side effects because I don't know what kinds of antivirals you have access to.  Why don't you list the drugs that you have in your country or the combo that is being proposed to you and people here can comment.

Everyone should remember that not everyone in the world has access to the latest medicine.

If you get side effects, its a pity, there may be workarounds.  But without meds you die.  And if you wait and wait and wait, all that time the virus continues its destruction of your body.

[Ann]

You might find the treatment guidelines put out by the European AIDS Clinical Society helpful as they are available in several different languages. http://eacsociety.org/Guidelines.aspx

edited to add...

You may also find the translated guides at i-Base helpful: http://i-base.info/category/translations/

Good luck.

[eric48]

Btw, in my country meds are prescribed if vl is bellow 350.

In many countries they will be very cautious about cost/health benefits

the ones you may want to avid (if possible) are (didanosine, ddI) and (stavudine, d4T), they are referred to as d-drugs, and maybe zidovudine, AZT, ZDV

If the combo that is offered to you does not include any of these, then you may want to start as early as the 'system' allows

On the other hand if there is no way you can avoid d-drugs, you may want to inquire about what is in the pipe for local approval and coverage before making a decision.

You way also seek opinions from people you have actually been taking these drugs.

Were I live, they have been phased out, so I have no idea. But many regular posters here have experience with these drugs and can tell you their experience

Hope this helps you

Eric

[buginme2]

Yes, had in mind cd4 instead vl.

. Herbs from China helps to maintain cd4, but deffinetly not for long.

 ok  so what is your viral load?

 Herbs from China don't do shit

[Lguy]

Hi guys,
Today I got my tests. Vl 3000, cd4-420. Actually cd4 raised up to 100 units in comparison with Oct. my doctor is of the opinion that Chinese herbs could help to increase cd4, but noticed that it also can increase vl. So next month we will think about meds.
In my country i could get Truvada plus Stocrin or  Kaletra. There is not available meds as 3 in 1. Also i have some kind of antigen (dont remember how it is called) so not all meds could be used.

Could you give me your opinion about Truvada plus Stocrin / Kaletra and most common side effects.

Thanks in advance.

[mecch]

My first combo was Stocrin Truvada.  Its the same as the one pill Atripla.

An awful lot of people are quite content with this.  A few people it doesn't play well with.

Some people get wild dreams. Some people get wild dreams that can be a bit too wild, AND/OR nightmares.  For some of these people, that side effect may wear off. 

Some people who have had depression or anxiety might get some side effects such as anger or depression.  If you have had any depression or anxiety issues, it might be better to go with the Kaletra. (I've never taken that however, and can't speak for the potential side effects.)

I got the anger on the Stocrin, thats why I switched off.  I enjoyed the dreams for the most part.  Also got incredible boners. 

[maziukas]

Hello,

 I am from Lithuania. My husband is positive since April 2013. The test result at that time  was cd4-700 and vl - 18K. After half a year cd4 dropped down to 420. And vl also dropped down to 6K. The doctor said we don't have to worry a lot as the cd4 could change several times during a day. And the vl is not very high.
 But I wonder if the decrease of cd4 isn't too big for 6 months? like almost 300?
Should we take another test..
Treatment is available in this country when cd4 is less than 350.

Thank you

 

[ad2san]

Hello maziukas,

Ur doc is right, CD4 level may vary a lot and u should not worry too much. If ur husband can start at 350 he would be fine.

Cheers

[maziukas]

Thank you