got my cd4 count doctor gave my Bactrim...untill i start meds

[leopoz93]

So today i finally got some of my bloodwork back

Viral load is still pending as well as genotype

My cd4 is at 374
But my t cell percentage is at 11.6%...so my doctor prescribed me bactrim today so i want get infection from pcp and to keep my cd4 from dropping

Now i will admit i was very scared but he assured me that everything is ok....is there is anyone who has went through something similar to this or has had to take bactrim please give me any info and advice plz

Good news is...im eligible for HASA so my doctor signed my form and faxed it right straight to them

[AusShep]

Bactrim is no big deal, you may have some minor GI issues, it's just an antibacterial to keep PCP from setting in. 
He's just being cautious, which is good, since your cd% is under 14.

[Jeff G]

I have never had a problem taking Bactrim but every body can be different . If you can take sulfa drugs you should do well on it . 

[hope_for_a_cure]

I am taking it daily right now myself as a prophylaxis. 

[Jeff G]

I missed something when I posted earlier that was pointed out to me . Your doctor is being really conservative /cautious by prescribing Bactrim for you with a cd4 count above 200 .

It was pointed out that in most cases they take you off Bactrim if your CD4 says above 200 after 3 blood draws. They don't start it 374 unless there is a respiratory infection.

[buginme2]

Hello welcome.  Sounds like your doctor is on top of things and has everything under control.  You'll be fine and once you start hiv meds your percentage will get better and they will take you of the bactrim. 

[leopoz93]

I missed something when I posted earlier that was pointed out to me . Your doctor is being really conservative /cautious by prescribing Bactrim for you with a cd4 count above 200 .

It was pointed out that in most cases they take you off Bactrim if your CD4 says above 200 after 3 blood draws. They don't start it 374 unless there is a respiratory infection.

Well the reason why he put me on it is to prevent infection from happening so my cd4 will not drop

[Ann]

Well the reason why he put me on it is to prevent infection from happening so my cd4 will not drop

Bactrim won't stop your CD4 from dropping - only hiv meds do that - and an infection will not necessarily cause them to drop. There was one time when I had a raging kidney infection and my CD4s were higher than they had been for the previous labs and also the labs after. Go figure.

He probably put you on it due to your low CD4% more so than your absolute count. As Jeff pointed out, it's not usually used as a prophylactic unless your absolute count is below 200. He's being cautious about preventing infections until you get on hiv meds and your CD4% increases. Better safe than sorry and if sulfa drugs do not cause you any bother, why not? 

[intaglio]

Bactrim is no big deal for most people. It is a good med. I had a negative reaction to it, but many don't. It took a couple of weeks for my sodium levels to drop dangerously low. I had several warning signs early on that were ignored by ER docs.

Please be aware it can lower your metal salts -potassium magnesium and others. If you start feeling lethargic, have trouble urinating or experience achy legs, speak up.

[xinyuan]

Guidelines firmly place starting PCP prevention at CD4 <200 (AI level recommendation).

For CD4 percentage <14% or AIDS-defining illness, it is a softer call (BII level recommendation).

http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/4/adult-and-adolescent-oi-prevention-and-treatment-guidelines/321/pcp

Sounds like your doctor is trying to err on the over-cautious side.