re-did my labs

[puertorico2006]

The doctor wanted me to retake my labs so i could decide if i should start treatment

CD4:459 25%
VL:1010

1 month ago
CD4:391 25%
VL:2001

i guess i have improved a bit but dont know if the doctor will recommend i start treatment, i tend to bounce around quite a bit in my numbers every time i do my labs.....since november when i first started doing my labs my CD4's have jumped between 319-550 although my viral load stays pretty constant between 1000-2500 :-D

[milker]

ok i would watch your %. Your VL is "very-low-stable" and the CD4s look like they're working on it, but the % is to watch out. Remember that the % is one of the indicators of how much of your immune system can fight this virus.

I'm not sure what is being done when the VL is so low and stable but the CD4% is slowly decreasing, so other experienced members may chime in.

You've been feeling fatigued lately, is it still the case?

Milker.

[puertorico2006]

yea i have been a bit fatigued lately but ive been trying to go to the gym and continue my regular routine hoping i will regain my energy.....

Although now that i think about it ive been more active than i had been....i wasnt working for 4-5 months and i kind of got used to that..now im working about 35-40 hours a week in a hot pizza place and running around all day/night.....oh yea and i also started school :-(

I finally did get the cold that i thought i wasnt going to get...it took about 3 weeks to hit me ....you know like when you feel it coming but it hasnt hit?

-josh
(who hates the fact that he cant stop eating pizza)

[Ann]

Hi Josh,

You and your doctor will have to decide what's best for you, but there is no way I'd go on the meds with numbers like yours. Mine are actually very similar and the question of starting meds isn't on the cards for me right now at all (and I've been poz for ten years now).

Ann

[carousel]

My CD4 is in the same range, though my viral load is higher.  As it seems pretty stable, I have not gone on medication.

As Ann says, it should be your doctor you consult about this.

Fatigue is horrible, it can be really hard thing to deal with.  I wonder if the medication would actually help with this.

[blondbeauty]

I started treatment with counts very similar to yours. But my viral load was much higher. It is a very personal decision. I woukd do it again.

[puertorico2006]

yea im definatly thinking that i can wait at least a few more months before starting, its probably not going to be much of a difference if i start right now, or see how my next labs go in 3 more months...

[Steven]

You know it is a shame we never knew what our CD4's were before we became infected.

Some people have a low amount to begin with and Josh if your numbers are
correct it could be possible you fall into that category.

I'd be looking at the percentages more then the actual numbers and making sure your doctor is up on the percentages instead of just looking at the CD4 # and saying it's time.

On the other hand, one has to make the choice of how low do they want their T-cells to go before starting to take action.

Remember it is a life long commitment once you start.

[megasept]

yea im definatly thinking that i can wait at least a few more months before starting, its probably not going to be much of a difference if i start right now, or see how my next labs go in 3 more months...

Josh: in order of importance...

Pizza RULES! When you work out (2-3 times weekly) high carbs are just fine.

Congratulations on enrolling in school!

===>>>Aren't Ann's #s amazing?!

Not only do I agree that a few months won't make a big difference (harm), but many years might not either---and I am thinking of the potential benefit of  NOT being on meds, chiefly not overtaxing your organs. You're a young guy so I expect you'll have HIV for decades. That means this notion becomes even more important for you then for those of us who are older (but no wiser).

I will be back on (new) meds in 2008 because my little plotted curves show I will soon cross this threshold:
          VL > 100k  and/or CD4s < 350
I will have 6-7 years off meds before I reach the new startting point.. I also had 5 or more years untreated immediately following diagnosis.

I suggest you give this point of view some consideration. What criteria does your MD use?

  -megasept

[AustinWesley]

yea im definatly thinking that i can wait at least a few more months before starting, its probably not going to be much of a difference if i start right now, or see how my next labs go in 3 more months...

Your numbers are pretty good, although the % I'd watch.   If you are feeling really fatigued then I'd go back sooner than 3 months.   I dunno, after my experience where my counts plummeted out of the blue I am not of the train of thought to wait it out forever.   Really, it's your choice which is stressful and all the horror stories don't help I'm sure.

You know when I was trying to make this decision someone mentioned that they felt so emotionally relieved by starting meds.  I'm paraphrasing, perhaps it was blondbeauty who said that.   At the time, I thought what's this person talking about?   Well, now I know.   I am going on 5 months now with zero side effects and feel about 10 years younger.  I don't constantly think about all the what ifs and live in an anxiety nightmare on a daily basis.   I feel like I have my health and sanity back and that I'm doing something to take back control of my life.

Some of the more current articles suggest starting earlier may be better.  I tend to agree because it seems logical that you wouldn't want to wait until you got sick for best results.   In my case, I kept waiting and then boom I had to make an instant decision out of panic and fear, wasn't a good scenario for me.

Anyways, your numbers are still fairly good so you have time to think about what's right for you.   

Wesley

[BT65]

Hey kid:
   Your numbers are good.  Just talk to your doctor.  If you've started all that activity, i.e. working a lot andgoing to school, it's no wonder you're fatigued.  I just go to school and I'm usually tired.  Hope you feel better soon.
Peace-
Betty

[Life]

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