User

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
April 19, 2024, 01:29:37 am

Login with username, password and session length


Forums Index

Stats

Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 773198
  • Total Topics: 66336
  • Online Today: 513
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 1
Guests: 460
Total: 461

Search

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.
« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: First Test Results and begining Treatment  (Read 3157 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline scottieman

  • Member
  • Posts: 58
First Test Results and begining Treatment
« on: November 03, 2011, 12:59:15 pm »
Hey All,

Very new here, diagnosed last Tuesday and got my first lab results back today. 

T-Cells 621
21%
Viral Load 21,000

My Dr. thinks that since my conversion is so new (last 7 weeks, as I had a negative HIV test August 27th) that my % number will increase once my body levels out what's it's doing in the conversion.  He did suggest that since I am so new with the infection I could go on meds now to keep my immune system primarily in tact.  So I am starting Complera which is 25 mg of Edurant (rilpivirine), 300mg of Viread (tenofovir DF) and 200mg of Emtriva (emtricitabine) 

I have mixed feelings about starting therapy, but will do it.  On one hand popping the pill makes it so real, and on the other hand I worry about any side effects, although my Dr says there are very limited side effects to this treatment.

Scott
Logged
August 19, 2011 Negative Oral Swap
August 30-September 4, 2011 (Thought Strep throat really sero-conversion)
October 5th, HIV Diagnosis
October 22 labs, CD4 619, VL 21,000 21%
November 13th, Started Complera
January 9th, Labs CD4 631, VL-UD 28%
March 28th Labs CD4 610, VL-UD 31%
July 2nd CD4 792, 34% VL-75
August 7th, 2012 CD4 899, 35% VL-97
September 17th, 2012 CD4 989, 33% VL-27
November 8, 2012  CD4 850, VL-UD, 39%
December 6, 2012 CD4 849, VL-UD, 39%
April 2, 2013 CD4 904, VL-UD, 33%
July 17, 2013 CD4 988, VL UD, 38.2%

Offline John2038

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,529
  • Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
    • HIV Research News (Twitter)
Re: First Test Results and begining Treatment
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2011, 02:58:11 pm »
Hi Scott

Welcome to this Forums.

You said your test came back negative 7 weeks ago. How came to you the idea to re-test you since?
Because you thought being in the windows period, or have you take a new risk since, or ?

Complera is a newly approved combo containing a recently approved drug (rilpivirine).
While new may sounds better, and that complera is for recommended for treatment naive patients, id docs usually prefer prescribing "older" combos as more data are available.
Beware however that this combo have still not been approved else in the world than US, so if you have to travel, ensure to carry them with you all the time (for e.g. in you pocket in you take the airplane).

Also starting immediately after the infection is quite a new trend as based on recents studies.
Still, IMHO, it's an excellent decision assuming no serious side effects, which I'm pretty convinced, you won't experiment. Bear in mind that HIV has side effect too. And as you said, starting earlier will preserve your immune system, and you will be more likely to have less side effect.

Yeah, you could have otherwise have discover to be a LNTP or Elite Controller, but IMHO, it doesn't means de facto that it will ensure you to have a longer and healthier life.

As you can see, I'm supporting early treatment, and many others may also provide with good reasons to not rush. Among them, could be to take the time to adapt to the idea you are starting HAART, which is for now, as life time commitment.

All in all, (IMHO), I still believe you did the right choice, and your counts should sky rocket in no time, as well as become UD. I guess you haven't made a genotype ? Would be good if you haven't pop your first pill.

I started myself early (1 yr or so after the infection), and so far so good, including my counts, no side effects and so. Everybody is different, so finger crossed no matter what your decision is.
Logged

Offline scottieman

  • Member
  • Posts: 58
Re: First Test Results and begining Treatment
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2011, 03:14:06 pm »
John,

Actually it was a fluke the "re-test" it was time for my yearly physical and the HIV test was just included SOP by my doctors office with all of my other blood tests.  I am very thankful now for it having been done, and for all the time and attention my DR has shown since my positive test.  His office is amazing and so supportive.

Scott
Logged
August 19, 2011 Negative Oral Swap
August 30-September 4, 2011 (Thought Strep throat really sero-conversion)
October 5th, HIV Diagnosis
October 22 labs, CD4 619, VL 21,000 21%
November 13th, Started Complera
January 9th, Labs CD4 631, VL-UD 28%
March 28th Labs CD4 610, VL-UD 31%
July 2nd CD4 792, 34% VL-75
August 7th, 2012 CD4 899, 35% VL-97
September 17th, 2012 CD4 989, 33% VL-27
November 8, 2012  CD4 850, VL-UD, 39%
December 6, 2012 CD4 849, VL-UD, 39%
April 2, 2013 CD4 904, VL-UD, 33%
July 17, 2013 CD4 988, VL UD, 38.2%

Offline vaguesbleues

  • Member
  • Posts: 97
Re: First Test Results and begining Treatment
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2011, 03:30:14 pm »
Welcome!  I'm sorry to hear about your positive diagnosis, but know that there are many who are here to support you as you come to terms with the diagnosis.  I tested positive only about 6 months ago, and I found that delving and immersing myself in information related to HIV/AIDS helped me feel more in control of the situation.  I also tested positive only a few weeks after having tested negative (I found out when I volunteered to take part in an HIV vaccine study...bummer).  I waited only about 4 months to start therapy after getting the definitive diagnosis, and I'm on Atripla.  Complera sounds like an excellent new medication, and I do hope your side effects are minimal! 
Logged
3/10/11 - HIV-
4/26/11 - Inconclusive WB
5/19/11 - HIV+, VL < 50, T-Cell 747 (30%)
6/13/11 - VL 345, T-Cell 841 (30%)
8/23/11 - VL 50,100, T-Cell 1155 (19%) - CMV
9/18/11 - Started Atripla
11/7/11 - VL 489, T-Cell 881 (31%)
2/8/12 - VL Undetectable!, T-Cell 772 (34%)
8/8/12 - VL UD, T-Cell 1070 (42%)
11/5/12 - VL UD, T-Cell 1174 (35%)
3/18/13 - VL UD, T-Cell 972 (28%)
10/4/13 - VL UD, T-Cell 1025 (34%)
2/9/14 - VL UD
7/31/14 - VL UD
1/29/15 - VL UD, T-Cell 1027 (32%)
9/15/15 - VL UD
10/21/16 - VL UD, T-cell 765 (39%)
4/28/17 - VL 29
8/17 - started Genvoya
10/27/17 - VL UD, T-cell 880 (35%)
3/30/18 - VL UD
9/28/18 - VL UD, T-cell 980 (34%)
4/19/19 - VL UD
10/18/19 - VL UD
10/22/20 - VL UD, T-cell 1005 (35%)

Offline scottieman

  • Member
  • Posts: 58
Re: First Test Results and begining Treatment
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2011, 05:30:12 pm »
I should note that my Doctor preferred the new Complera becuase I already have elevated cholesterol and that is a side effect of Atripla
Logged
August 19, 2011 Negative Oral Swap
August 30-September 4, 2011 (Thought Strep throat really sero-conversion)
October 5th, HIV Diagnosis
October 22 labs, CD4 619, VL 21,000 21%
November 13th, Started Complera
January 9th, Labs CD4 631, VL-UD 28%
March 28th Labs CD4 610, VL-UD 31%
July 2nd CD4 792, 34% VL-75
August 7th, 2012 CD4 899, 35% VL-97
September 17th, 2012 CD4 989, 33% VL-27
November 8, 2012  CD4 850, VL-UD, 39%
December 6, 2012 CD4 849, VL-UD, 39%
April 2, 2013 CD4 904, VL-UD, 33%
July 17, 2013 CD4 988, VL UD, 38.2%

Offline vaguesbleues

  • Member
  • Posts: 97
Re: First Test Results and begining Treatment
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2011, 07:23:24 pm »
That'd be a good reason to try the new medication!  Also, I've heard that there are far fewer CNS side effects such as dizziness, crazy-assed dreams, and hallucinations with the rilpivirine component of Complera as opposed to the efavirenz in the Atripla.  (Seriously....the first two days were so crazy, I thought I should spell it as aTRIPla cuz it was such a trippy feeling!). 

The downside for me if I was taking Complera was the need to take it with a full meal.  Considering I spend so much time on campus as a graduate student, I didn't like the idea of having to carry around my medications with me and popping pills in front of my friends who I have not informed about my diagnosis.  I kinda like not having to worry about it during the daytime and just popping the pill from my bedside table right before crawling into bed and going to sleep. 
Logged
3/10/11 - HIV-
4/26/11 - Inconclusive WB
5/19/11 - HIV+, VL < 50, T-Cell 747 (30%)
6/13/11 - VL 345, T-Cell 841 (30%)
8/23/11 - VL 50,100, T-Cell 1155 (19%) - CMV
9/18/11 - Started Atripla
11/7/11 - VL 489, T-Cell 881 (31%)
2/8/12 - VL Undetectable!, T-Cell 772 (34%)
8/8/12 - VL UD, T-Cell 1070 (42%)
11/5/12 - VL UD, T-Cell 1174 (35%)
3/18/13 - VL UD, T-Cell 972 (28%)
10/4/13 - VL UD, T-Cell 1025 (34%)
2/9/14 - VL UD
7/31/14 - VL UD
1/29/15 - VL UD, T-Cell 1027 (32%)
9/15/15 - VL UD
10/21/16 - VL UD, T-cell 765 (39%)
4/28/17 - VL 29
8/17 - started Genvoya
10/27/17 - VL UD, T-cell 880 (35%)
3/30/18 - VL UD
9/28/18 - VL UD, T-cell 980 (34%)
4/19/19 - VL UD
10/18/19 - VL UD
10/22/20 - VL UD, T-cell 1005 (35%)
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
 

Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.