Charles.M:
Got blood work results today CD4@143 and CD4/CD8 at 7%. I have been ud for a year and a half and my numbers wont go up? I also did not get the anti bodies from the hep b vaccine (the three shot one). I am scared and starting to think my numbers will never improve and that I am on borrowed time. Can live very long with such low CD4 numbers? I recently had covid but only had mild systoms, though I do experience mild chest pains occasionally as well light cough with some post nasal drip. Going to see doc on the 9th. Not real opptomistic about my future.
Jim Allen:
--- Quote from: leatherman on August 05, 2024, 10:33:48 am ---hello! Good to hear from you again.
let's tackle your cd4 number first. Being older always means a slower recovery from any problem than when someone is in their 20s or 30s. And some people just take a longer time. While the data shows that most people take about 1-3 yrs to get their numbers into a good range, like most other diseases there are also the outliers who recover faster and other who recovery slower.
It took me 12 years to get above 300. Of course the meds weren't as effective in the mid 90s; but I was consistently on modern meds for nearly 10 years before getting above 300. In the last 20 years since then, my cd4s remained around 350.....until oddly enough about 4 years ago my cd4s began creeping up and eventually reached 700. In the last 2 years though, they have dropped back to 450. It's like a crazy roller coaster ride.
So let's tackle the second issue about cd4s. The cd4 count is not a measure of how effective/strong your cd4s are. It's only a measure of how many. The general consensus is that more cd4s equals better immune response thus better health. but that isn't true either. Some people with high cd4 counts get sick also.
If you've been feeling healthy (and with what you wrote, it sure sounds like you're feeling pretty good), and UD then I say you should feel happy and just keep on enjoying life.
--- End quote ---
Jim Allen:
I quoted Micheal's post, it took him 12 years to reach 300 and I know plenty of people who had single digits for many years before they started to increase and it's not a measurement of overall health.
My CD4 count is 719 /40% (see vampire thread) and I would give you some of mine but mine are lazy useless CD4 cells. In short, I end up visiting the hospital & doctor's office far too often but I get on with it and unfortunately, there is no test or cure against lazy CD4s & immune system, but it seems you are doing better than I am. ;)
Like Micheal said there are various factors at play including genetics, age, stage of diagnosis etc. You are doing well and you are not going to drop dead tomorrow because of your well-controlled, stable and managed HIV status, stop focusing on CD4 counts and focus on things that are within your control instead.
--- Quote ---I also did not get the anti bodies from the hep b vaccine (the three shot one) --- End quote --- .
Same here and I've tried it twice, so 2x3 shots, still no antibody.
Loa111:
I can only offer you reassurance here. It took me well over 2+ years on our meds for my CD4 to get over 200 (I'd an advanced DX originally with a low CD4 22). I'm now 6 years on treatment & my CD4 is 400 ish, sometimes less like 380 etc. There is nothing I can do about this only take my pill daily. I really don't care anymore, it is what it is.
ID clinic held back on some of the vaccines including the Hep shots until my CD4 trended above 200, so was 6 - 9 months above 200 before they gave me the shots. I think they had to repeat the hep shots too if I remember correctly.
Don't worry, you'll get there in time. Just take your pills daily & try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. :)
harleymc:
From a nadir of 10 cd 4s it took me 6 years to pass 200.
I've not had any AIDS defining health issues since starting ARVs.