Author Topic: I am on Cloud Nine!!! (Read 7541 times)

numbersguy82 · « **on:** October 11, 2010, 05:36:06 pm »

Wow well I have been on my meds (norvir, prezista, and truvada) for a month now. Last month before starting I was at 73 cd4, 7%, and 300k vl. I went in today for my labs and before I found out anything I asked my doc to switch me from Dapsone back to Bactrim. She looked up and said "Oh Hunnie you don't need those anymore"

I was shocked. She had given me certain realistic expectations for getting over 200 but deep down I instantly cut it in half (from 96 mos to 48 mos) as a personal goal. I committed to no alcohol, lots of veggies/fruits, and more vitamins and was ready to prove to myself that I could beat this. I know from reading here that everyone is different so I really went in with no expectations other than I feel great and if my numbers reflected how great I felt then they would have improved. I'm proud to announce that my new numbers blew me away.

511 cd4s, 22%, and VL of only 886. I AM SO EXCITED!!! I also have gained 20lbs. I am so thankful to get some good/positive news. The Doc now thinks its possible I was seroconverting, but who's to know, and does it really even matter

I just wanted to share my joy with all of you. I am honestly so blessed to have you all, and this resource available to me! Now to throw some steaks on the grill and have the Boys over for a celebration.

Alan

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2010, 05:45:07 pm »

That's such a quick increase (and I don't want to rain on your parade) but I'd almost request (OK, I would) to be retested in 4 weeks just to make sure there was not any lab error. I only say this because if the situation was reversed (as in you dropped from 511 to 73, etc.) you'd also want to get re-tested.

ElZorro · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2010, 05:56:17 pm »

Excellent news! I'm happy for you!

numbersguy82 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2010, 05:57:33 pm »

BOOO HISSS.... yeah the doc mentioned that so I'm getting retested in Dec, but she was confident enough to start the Hep A and B vaccines, so I hope it wasn't a bad reading

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2010, 06:01:08 pm »

Quote from: numbersguy82 on October 11, 2010, 05:57:33 pm

BOOO HISSS.... yeah the doc mentioned that so I'm getting retested in Dec, but she was confident enough to start the Hep A and B vaccines, so I hope it wasn't a bad reading

The only reason I suggested sooner, is that I'd hate to see a lab error when one is on Bactrim and/or Dapsone, which caused them to go off of this too soon. Just seems prudent to know for sure before doing so.

AaronbytheC · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2010, 06:03:55 pm »

Wow that is great news Alan! I'm really happy for you!

Now go enjoy the boys, err I mean steaks!

Snowangel · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2010, 06:05:13 pm »

That's great news, I'm happy for you and hope you get the same news next time.

HowYouDoin · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2010, 07:29:15 pm »

Those number are excellent. It took me 2 years on meds to get to you numbers. Good job and glad your body is recovering like lightning speed. Keep living your life my friend.

Al

eric48 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 11, 2010, 07:44:32 pm »

congrats !!!

With your (young) age, VL, etc. your immune systems was producing tons of CD4 clones that where instantly killed by tons of CD8s, in a high turn around.

Lots of young soldiers where already in the trains to the battle front when the truce got signed. The front is now full of this young soldiers. Hence the sharp rebound. Clones do not last long

As the inflammation goes down, production of clones may go down. If your CD4 goes down on next lab, do not get depressed... to be strong your army needs less recruits and more 'experienced' officers (long living CD4) and that may take time (see the time it took to rebuild some armies in some current foreign locations)

In my humble opinion, there was no needed rush to lower the shield (prophilactics) and move on to an other battle (vaccination), if I were you I'd remain very carefull

and stay home, 'cause you do not want to drink all those bottles of champagne in the streets !!!

Cheers ! Cheers ! ! Cheers ! ! ! Eric

WillyWump · « **Reply #9 on:** October 11, 2010, 08:10:48 pm »

Well aren't you the "CD4 Superman"!!!

Yay Master G!!

Wow, very good numbers, Congrats!

Hugs and Luvs,
Big D.

oh and here is your Gold Star...

Rev. Moon · « **Reply #10 on:** October 11, 2010, 08:51:54 pm »

Girl, I'm only going to say congrats (no gold star from me, and no fearful thoughts --though I agree with Philicia on the thought of getting new labs done sooner, just to confirm the great improvement. Be not afraid to ask your doc; you are the boss in that relationship).

Again, congrats. Celebrate with Sara.

Ann · « **Reply #11 on:** October 11, 2010, 09:09:14 pm »

I was thinking "his first numbers were from during his seroconversion" before I got to the bit where you doctor also thought the same. Nice numbers regardless. Congrats!

numbersguy82 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2010, 09:30:37 pm »

Quote from: eric48 on October 11, 2010, 07:44:32 pm

congrats !!!

With your (young) age, VL, etc. your immune systems was producing tons of CD4 clones that where instantly killed by tons of CD8s, in a high turn around.

Lots of young soldiers where already in the trains to the battle front when the truce got signed. The front is now full of this young soldiers. Hence the sharp rebound. Clones do not last long

As the inflammation goes down, production of clones may go down. If your CD4 goes down on next lab, do not get depressed... to be strong your army needs less recruits and more 'experienced' officers (long living CD4) and that may take time (see the time it took to rebuild some armies in some current foreign locations)

In my humble opinion, there was no needed rush to lower the shield (prophilactics) and move on to an other battle (vaccination), if I were you I'd remain very carefull

and stay home, 'cause you do not want to drink all those bottles of champagne in the streets !!!

Cheers ! Cheers ! ! Cheers ! ! ! Eric

Thanks Eric for taking the time to write this. It makes a lot of sense. I will def keep taking Dapsone... I just refilled it yesterday so why not. Thanks again!

Granny60 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2010, 09:33:46 pm »

WOW!

Super great news! I am glad you shared you are doing so well! Keep up the good work! You are an inspiration to all of us.

numbersguy82 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2010, 09:40:00 pm »

Thanks again everyone for the well wishes, and I'm glad so many of you pointed out the cautions of assuming anything until I get a second set of numbers... just another reason why I love posting here and learning from everyone

Ann I tend to think it was my seroconversion also, but because I was with my ex for close to 2 years it was hard to pinpoint an infection time, and I just assumed I had been infected for a while because I had been feeling so bad. Who knows for sure but I'm really happy with my meds and how great I feel now versus then. In fact 2 close friends have started medication just because of the turnaround I have had on them.

Only one gold star? Bad Rev moon!!! At least BD loves him some MasterB... not Master G.... lol

Thanks again and now we just have to wait until Dec

roy100 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2010, 11:30:15 pm »

Congratulations to you on this magnificent event !
My heart and are with you.
greetings, Roy

Hellraiser · « **Reply #16 on:** October 12, 2010, 01:10:03 am »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on October 11, 2010, 06:01:08 pm

The only reason I suggested sooner, is that I'd hate to see a lab error when one is on Bactrim and/or Dapsone, which caused them to go off of this too soon. Just seems prudent to know for sure before doing so.

They generally keep you on prophylaxis for 6 months (or 3 tests) above the magic 200 CD4 line in order to make sure this doesn't happen.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2010, 02:11:08 am »

Quote from: Hellraiser on October 12, 2010, 01:10:03 am

They generally keep you on prophylaxis for 6 months (or 3 tests) above the magic 200 CD4 line in order to make sure this doesn't happen.

In the op he wrote "She looked up and said "Oh Hunnie you don't need those anymore" so I figured the doctor said he didn't need to take it any longer. If I misunderstood newbie's intent with writing that then well... ok I wouldn't have suggested retesting if he'd not said his doctor said that. If she did say that and it was her intent that he go off Bactrim and/or Dapsone without retesting then I'd fire her ass if I was the patient.

Rev. Moon · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2010, 02:12:28 am »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on October 12, 2010, 02:11:08 am

If I misunderstood newbie's intent with writing that then well... ok

It wasn't newbie; it was our beloved numbersqueen. Get them straight.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2010, 02:13:25 am »

Quote from: Rev. Moon on October 12, 2010, 02:12:28 am

It wasn't newbie; it was our beloved numbersqueen. Get them straight.

Oops, my bad

Nextdoor_guy · « **Reply #20 on:** October 12, 2010, 04:02:15 am »

hey buddy, congratulations for the results but watch out for the IRIS.
check this out..
"IRIS tends to occur when there's a large drop in HIV levels. An example of this would be going from 100,000 copies of HIV down to about 500, which shows a strong response to therapy but an increased risk for IRIS."
So from 300k to 886 it's a huge drop in just 1 month...

So if your immune system has recovered too fast/too good there is this a possibility of developing IRIS. So check for the symptoms and talk with your Dr.

Anyway, take care!

G.

numbersguy82 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 12, 2010, 06:44:17 am »

Quote from: Nextdoor_guy on October 12, 2010, 04:02:15 am

So if your immune system has recovered too fast/too good there is this a possibility of developing IRIS. So check for the symptoms and talk with your Dr.

Thank you G! This is very interesting! My doc, while skewered above, is a very capable specialist in the field of HIV, has treated 1000's of patients, and pointed out inflammatory risks as something we will monitor. I really appreciate the heads up because IRIS specifically was not even on my radar until you pointed it out

Nextdoor_guy · « **Reply #22 on:** October 12, 2010, 08:44:20 am »

Well, hope won't be anything to worry about.
I also started the treatment since 1 month but by CD4 was 520.

Will do the first tests at end of nov, after 3 months. Hope the results will be as good as yours : )

Take care.
G.

mecch · « **Reply #23 on:** October 12, 2010, 08:49:10 am »

Quote from: numbersguy82 on October 11, 2010, 05:36:06 pm

I am so thankful to get some good/positive news. The Doc now thinks its possible I was seroconverting, but who's to know, and does it really even matter

Its great news.
It might matter if you were seroconverting. Cause if you were, the fact that you were treated within the first 6 months may make a difference in your long-term immunity. Thats one of the latest thinkings.
So congrats on the numbers - there are great no matter what.
Also wondering why you ever thought it would take years to have a good CD4? Or maybe I misread you.

numbersguy82 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 12, 2010, 06:06:49 pm »

Quote from: mecch on October 12, 2010, 08:49:10 am

Its great news.
It might matter if you were seroconverting. Cause if you were, the fact that you were treated within the first 6 months may make a difference in your long-term immunity. Thats one of the latest thinkings.
So congrats on the numbers - there are great no matter what.
Also wondering why you ever thought it would take years to have a good CD4? Or maybe I misread you.

Thanks Mecch

The doc wanted to give me realistic expectations. Ofcourse everyone is different, but from a medical standpoint she was giving me expected guidelines. From here I knew that some people have rocketed upward while others struggled with low numbers for several years. I just wanted to make sure I was prepared for whatever results I had.

Thanks for pointing out the seroconversion point... It was always my intent to begin treatment ASAP as from my brief research it seems earlier is becoming more common. I'm just glad to be feeling like myself again! Thanks again

newbieguy · « **Reply #25 on:** October 13, 2010, 05:24:25 pm »

Hey numbersguy, congrats on your great results! I too got some great news this week, my viral load dropped amazingly low on just 2 months on meds. It really is days like these that make us wanna just jump for joy. My cd4 number dropped from 505 to 418, but my doctor told me it will fluctuate, and my cd4 percentage actually rose a bit. She said the main number to watch is the VL! Congrats again and best wishes to ya

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Author Topic: I am on Cloud Nine!!! (Read 7541 times)

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