Increasing CD4

[Grendal]

Thought I’d share some good news. Since I’ve been on Genvoya my t-cells have been running at around 500, down a little from the numbers on Triumeq, which I could not tolerate after about 18 months. In September I added cold showers (usually contrast hot/cold) on an almost daily basis, my T-cells have jumped to the 700-800 range over the past two tests. I do walk daily, a little resistance training and eat fairly well but was a bit surprised to see an increase. Self care is self love and will increase your health and joy in life!

Grendal

[Almost2late]

Hi Grendal,

It's good to hear that you're taking care of yourself and your t-cells have increased.

Exercise, good nutrition and rest is always good for anyone regardless of cd4 levels. Truth is that if your cd4's were at 500, you were already at the level of an HIV negative person.

Being above 200 cd4's makes people less susceptible to opportunistic infections, but even people who are hiv
negative and cd4's through the roof can get sick from a number of illnesses.

Guess what I'm trying to say is there's really no reason to attribute your good health to your cd4's rising from 500 to the 600-800 range. I've seen right here in these forums hiv+ people with cd4's in the 1000's range get pretty damn sick.

I'm in the 300's and have faired better than many my own age who are negative. Ofcourse, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my meds, but I think alot has to do with healthy habits and genetics. And who knows, tomorrow I might get hit by a bus, and waste all those cd4's.

[Grendal]

Healthy habits help a lot, was just a little surprised to see those numbers. Maybe not having a cold since the end of 2019 has something to do with it. 20+ years of meds with a nadir around 100.