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Author Topic: Viral load question  (Read 5214 times)

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Offline songs06

  • Member
  • Posts: 114
Viral load question
« on: October 12, 2012, 04:03:24 pm »
hello again,
i am on kaletra and truvada for like 3 months now. i think it is quite effective treatment, well with lots of side effects but i manage to live ok.

my question is, in first month of usage, my VL went down 150.000 to 3000. it was a success. but after that i used 2 more months and after total 3 months treatment my VL now went 3000 to 700. i heard we can expect to see get VL to down %10 every month while in treatment. and i was disappointed to see 700. i was expecting to see something like 300 or 100.

so does it mean my treatment is ineffective or i started to get resistance? i mean it is still gets down but now slower. i only forgot twice to take my meds on time. (and took them like 4 hours late but i took them.) i thought it is quit ok but i started to think maybe it cause some kind of resistance if my drug level got down.

so in short: i am kind of nervous about getting resistance with this regimen. (because i have only 2 combo options in turkey)

you can see all my labs in my signature, and i don't know my new cd4s yet.

cheers.
18.03.2012 - infected.
14.04.2012 - first positive elisa - UD western blot
30.04.2012 - western blot confirmation positive
03.05.2012 - first lab- CD4: 256   VL: 2.3 M
01.06.2012 - sec lab- CD4: 390 (end of ARS)
01.07.2012 - third lab- CD4: 388 VL: 150.000
11.07.2012 - Started Truvada + Kaletra
04.08.2012 - CD4: 401 VL: 3800
30.09.2012 - CD4: 510 VL: 709
04.01.2013 - CD4: 650 VL: UD! (aka 20)
01.04.2013 - CD4: 460 VL: UD
09.2013 - CD4: 510
02.2014 - CD4: 490

Offline songs06

  • Member
  • Posts: 114
Re: Viral load question
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2012, 04:02:57 am »
my ID appointment is on 18th, so is there really no one who could say something about this topic? i am thinking about this a lot, and afraid of resistance.
18.03.2012 - infected.
14.04.2012 - first positive elisa - UD western blot
30.04.2012 - western blot confirmation positive
03.05.2012 - first lab- CD4: 256   VL: 2.3 M
01.06.2012 - sec lab- CD4: 390 (end of ARS)
01.07.2012 - third lab- CD4: 388 VL: 150.000
11.07.2012 - Started Truvada + Kaletra
04.08.2012 - CD4: 401 VL: 3800
30.09.2012 - CD4: 510 VL: 709
04.01.2013 - CD4: 650 VL: UD! (aka 20)
01.04.2013 - CD4: 460 VL: UD
09.2013 - CD4: 510
02.2014 - CD4: 490

Offline Anqueetas

  • Member
  • Posts: 116
Re: Viral load question
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2012, 07:22:05 am »
Hey you can look around the internet on VL graph after taking ARV, the reduction it not linear. The virus decrease very fast in the beginning but slower when it get very low before going UD. SO don't worry, wait until you take ARV for 6 months u should be UD by then.  Hey you initial VL is high so it going to take a while to get UD.

Hang on there.

If you have question talk to your doctor next time you visit him/her.  I doubt you developing resistance to Kaletra.
ARS, hospitalized for very high fever-July 2011
diagnosed HIV positive - October 16 2011
CD4 460 19.5% VL 49000 - late October 2011
CD4 625 19.5% VL 50030 - January 2012
CD4 369 19% VL 69000 - March 2012
Start Sustiva+ Truvada - April 17 2012
CD4 524 24.5% VL UD - August 22 2012
Switch to Nevirapine+Truvada
CD4 490 26% VL UD - November 2012
CD4 539 29% VL UD - February 2013
CD4 621 28% VL UD - May 2013

Offline leatherman

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 8,583
  • Google and HIV meds are Your Friends
Re: Viral load question
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2012, 10:26:24 am »
studies have shown that it takes less than >95% adherence to begin to have inadequate treatment. Taking doses late is still 100% adherence.

according to your signature line, your viral load decrease looks to be:
07/01 150.000
08/04 3800
09/03 709

that is not only a huge decrease, but an excellent decrease - and in only 3 months! One thing you'll find out about HIV is that it affects everyone slightly different. To "expect" a steady percentage in decrease is just crazy. Stats like 10 yrs from HIV infection to AIDS or 10% decrease per month in VL are all just generalizations.

You should also keep in mind that your specific case probably won't always match all the reported generalizations because you began meds at the very beginning of your infection instead of waiting for the viral load to complete it's natural fall. (if you need more information to understand the general pattern/time-table of HIV infection, please see this previous post of mine)

If you haven't gotten to undetectable within 6 months to 1 year - then worry. Until then you've got great numbers and being nervous is a waste of your time.  ;)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline songs06

  • Member
  • Posts: 114
Re: Viral load question
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2012, 07:48:38 am »
thanks both of you. my cd4 count came 510 which is my highest nubmer to date. i think i should wait couple of months before getting nervous :)
18.03.2012 - infected.
14.04.2012 - first positive elisa - UD western blot
30.04.2012 - western blot confirmation positive
03.05.2012 - first lab- CD4: 256   VL: 2.3 M
01.06.2012 - sec lab- CD4: 390 (end of ARS)
01.07.2012 - third lab- CD4: 388 VL: 150.000
11.07.2012 - Started Truvada + Kaletra
04.08.2012 - CD4: 401 VL: 3800
30.09.2012 - CD4: 510 VL: 709
04.01.2013 - CD4: 650 VL: UD! (aka 20)
01.04.2013 - CD4: 460 VL: UD
09.2013 - CD4: 510
02.2014 - CD4: 490

Offline Hideyoshi

  • Member
  • Posts: 11
Re: Viral load question
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2012, 12:42:53 am »
hello again,
i am on kaletra and truvada for like 3 months now. i think it is quite effective treatment, well with lots of side effects but i manage to live ok.

my question is, in first month of usage, my VL went down 150.000 to 3000. it was a success. but after that i used 2 more months and after total 3 months treatment my VL now went 3000 to 700. i heard we can expect to see get VL to down %10 every month while in treatment. and i was disappointed to see 700. i was expecting to see something like 300 or 100.

so does it mean my treatment is ineffective or i started to get resistance? i mean it is still gets down but now slower. i only forgot twice to take my meds on time. (and took them like 4 hours late but i took them.) i thought it is quit ok but i started to think maybe it cause some kind of resistance if my drug level got down.

so in short: i am kind of nervous about getting resistance with this regimen. (because i have only 2 combo options in turkey)

you can see all my labs in my signature, and i don't know my new cd4s yet.

cheers.

looks like your viral load is going down great and responding very well to the drugs. The third test is a positive decrease. It may take 6 months to a year to get to the undetectable level. I think your numbers would show your body is responding very positivly to the medication.  I would be happy with the results if I was you.
10/12 tested positive
11/12 296 23% 176,000
12/12 433 28% 696

Offline songs06

  • Member
  • Posts: 114
Re: Viral load question
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2013, 05:43:22 pm »
yep 6th month result: cd4:650 vl:20! i am very happy to be UD finally. from millions to just 20!
18.03.2012 - infected.
14.04.2012 - first positive elisa - UD western blot
30.04.2012 - western blot confirmation positive
03.05.2012 - first lab- CD4: 256   VL: 2.3 M
01.06.2012 - sec lab- CD4: 390 (end of ARS)
01.07.2012 - third lab- CD4: 388 VL: 150.000
11.07.2012 - Started Truvada + Kaletra
04.08.2012 - CD4: 401 VL: 3800
30.09.2012 - CD4: 510 VL: 709
04.01.2013 - CD4: 650 VL: UD! (aka 20)
01.04.2013 - CD4: 460 VL: UD
09.2013 - CD4: 510
02.2014 - CD4: 490

Offline leatherman

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 8,583
  • Google and HIV meds are Your Friends
Re: Viral load question
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2013, 06:09:57 pm »
i am very happy to be UD finally. from millions to just 20!
awesome news!!!
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline texaninnyc87

  • Member
  • Posts: 251
Re: Viral load question
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2013, 07:10:32 pm »
awesome! great progress!  ;D
Dxd: 9/11/12
Blot confirmed: 11/12
12/12 cd4: 280 (20%) vl: 129,000
1/13 $tribild
2/13 cd4: 350 (26%) vl: 80
4/13 cd4: 510 (29%) vl:: 35
6/13cd4 350 (31%) vl: 21
9/13 cd4 492 (30%) vl: ud
12/13 cd4 846 (36%) vl: 100
1/14 cd4 480 (31%) vl: UD
3/14 cd4 650 (33%) vl: UD
6/14 cd4 410 (35%) vl: UD
9/14 cd4 439 (38%) vl: UD
12/14 cd4 551 (37%) vl: UD

Offline songs06

  • Member
  • Posts: 114
Re: Viral load question
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2013, 08:35:28 am »
thanks everyone on this site, for you infinite help. :) i celebrated wtih some good coffee and a great dinner yesterday evening. i hope it will go smoother from now on.
18.03.2012 - infected.
14.04.2012 - first positive elisa - UD western blot
30.04.2012 - western blot confirmation positive
03.05.2012 - first lab- CD4: 256   VL: 2.3 M
01.06.2012 - sec lab- CD4: 390 (end of ARS)
01.07.2012 - third lab- CD4: 388 VL: 150.000
11.07.2012 - Started Truvada + Kaletra
04.08.2012 - CD4: 401 VL: 3800
30.09.2012 - CD4: 510 VL: 709
04.01.2013 - CD4: 650 VL: UD! (aka 20)
01.04.2013 - CD4: 460 VL: UD
09.2013 - CD4: 510
02.2014 - CD4: 490

 


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