VL detetable & I'm panicing

[Gary]

Hi,
I've not been on here much lately but now I don't know where to turn, I went for my 3 month check up today and my viral load which has been undetectable (less than 40 copies per ml)since 4 months after starting treatment today showed detectable (only at 40).  My CD4 had also gone from 600 to 513, I know it fluctuates so I'm not too bothered about that.  I was on combivir and sustiva till Jan this year then I switched to Truvada and Sustiva, I've never felt better in my life since the switch.  It wasn't my regular doc today. She said I was not to panic but I can't help it. My adherence has been close to 100% except for a few lates last month, they all seemed to happen at once, I now fear I've buggered it up.  I eat, rest,don't smoke, my social life is practically non existant and I try to lay off the booze. I just don't think I can wait 3 months till my next appointment, I'm starting to drive myself mad. 

[MOONLIGHT1114]

Hi Gary~

Don't drive yourself mad.  You'll see that what most of us tell you is this.....Its normal to have a blip or even to have your meds stop working after some time.  You need to get another test done in about a month or so, and see if the VL is still detectable.  Please read my story about demanding a genotype years ago, when I was in the same situation as you.  I think it will be helpful.  Now, breathe......

~Cindy

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=14069.msg175559#msg175559

[Miss Philicia]

I had a blip of 100 in February after 6 months on a new regimen and undetectable.  They re-tested me in one month and it was back to undetectable.  There is no need for alarm as this is not unusual at all, just like your doctor stated.

[milker]

The new tests are getting very sensitive, so it's possible that you were undetectable with a previous test < 100 and now detectable with a test <= 40. Nothing alarming, it's either a blip or a more sensitive test was used this time

Milker.

[Miss Philicia]

I'd have to have 2-3 consecutive increasing VL results to begin to worry.  And even then I'd not flip out because I know I have taken all my meds 99% adherence and it's out of my hands.

One simply MUST get used to blips in this life.

[Gary]

Thanks guys, I'm much calmer now. 
I had a word with a specialist nurse who I work with and she reassured me much as you all have.  I think it was just a shock as I've done my best to look after myself and keep to near 100% adherence, it was unexpected.
I'll give it a month and have my bloods done again.
thanks for the quick replies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Gary 

[J.R.E.]

Hello Gary,


I think your numbers, are doing pretty good there !! Your doing fine. I have had a couple of these small blips ( which were actually larger than yours, and they always managed to get back to undetectable.

So hang in there buddy !!


Take care-----Ray

[Gary]

Thank you all,
I'll re-test in a month and post my results x