First Tests after meds

[Sebastian1969]

Boyfriend went into the doctor yesterday for blood test, these are the first since he went on Atripula last month.  I do not know what to expect for numbers when they come back, but am hoping that the CD count goes up and the VL goes down.  He was at 190,000 VL and 106 Cd when he went in and started the meds.  I have seen people refer to a % but our doctor did not give us one, and honestly not quite sure what the % represents.  I can say that he looks and feels better that he did, he has more energy and color in his face. 
I would love to see the results come back with CD count over 500 and VL undetectable, but know that I am probably a little too hopeful after only a month of treatment.
The past month or so has been one of the more difficult in our relationship, Insurance sucks and between the meds and tests, we have put out over 2500.00 and now insurance is starting to pick up 20% just in time for 12/31 and then we can start over on the deductables, oh well got to do what we have to do.
Thanks for listening.

[webontheweb]

Hi buddy, I 'll jump in on this one.

I am on Atripla and like most people on it, you should find that the viral load has dropped enormously- if it hasn't it is okey- they just want to see it going down.  The CD4 may go up a lot, a little, or not at all.  All is okay.  The % is the ratio of CD8 and CD4,  14 to 23% is acceptable I believe.
The first test is the hardest as a lot of hopes and dreams get pinned to it, but you need to establish a track record now of quarterly tests to see the pattern of health return.
In my case I was 134 and jumped up to almost 200 in first month.  My partner went from 10 to 135 I think.
Good luck to both of you.  Sorry to read of your medical costs.  I have been there, too.  Hold tight!

[Sebastian1969]

Thanks for the info.  The med cost are ok, just venting a little there--wishing for the days of a 10.00 copay again, but insurance costs have gone up so much and companies have to make cuts to be profitable. 
My only hope in all this is to have a heathier, happy boyfriend.  I have happy and now just want the heathier part, we have a long life ahead of us and him being a little heathier will make it easier.