CD4 count

[mikeyb39]

Hi all,
I'm hoping to get some incite on my upcoming labs.  I got sick with seroconversion at beginning of November  and during that time when i was sick with fever and etc, they did my first CD4 count and viral load count. My CD4 was low around 280, but Dr said since it was taken during that time it would normally bounce back after the seroconversion period.  i haven't been positive that long for it to be that low, i tested negative about 6 months prior

I started on meds about a two weeks after and almost been two months, i go back middle of next month for another lab test. Should i expect my numbers to be higher?  i wish my doctor had tested me after my seroconversion, but he didn't so these next labs will be the first after starting meds.  I'm just trying to prepare myself on the numbers and etc.

So if someone can give me the lowdown on what i should expect I'd appreciate it.

[Hellraiser]

Try not to have any sort of expectations when dealing with this virus.  Your CD4 may rise significantly or it may hover where it is.  280 is not a "bad" number and if you are still dealing with seroconversion then your CD4 should rise and your VL should drop especially considering you began medication.  There are no absolutes however.  The best you can do is be cautiously optimistic about how the numbers turn out.  I'm a pretty prime example of how numbers don't necessarily reflect quality or length of life however.  I've been diagnosed positive for a year and a half at this point and have been below the AIDS marker the entire time, but my health problems are not as severe as some people who have much better numbers than I do.

[buginme2]

Let us know how they go.  I go in for my labs at the end of feb and i'm interesred to see how it goes.  What was your viral load before? If you were in seroconversion I would expect it to be high. Good luck

[Lucky2behere]

My ID nurse said it isn't common for cd4s to drop when people first start the meds, that vl drops and cd4 can drop too, which was what happened to me. My cd4 dropped almost 200 points but who the hell really knows with this virus. My viral load was already dropping from 18,000 to 1,400 over 3 months without meds and then 3 months went by without any tests, so who knows what is going on inside me.

What I do know is I feel better after 6 weeks of meds. I look better and my brain is working better and I'm not as tired. I am expecting my cd4 to climb by the next 3 month test. And I hope my viral load will continue to drop. As long as I'm feeling good and not sick or tired, I'm not going to stress the numbers. I have HIV but it doesn't own me. It takes up alot of time with visiting doctors and labs already but I'm not going to let it control my whole life.

Good luck to you and us all.

[drewm]

And my numbers started out in the basement, CD-4 ( VL (500,000) and here I am eight months later with great numbers and I am in good health. I thank God everyday for life, health and happiness. My doc is less concerned with my CD 4 count as he is with keeping the VL low to undetectable which is our goal for April.

I agree, just live each day for what you have and try not to dwell on numbers. It's very hard to accomplish this but like some have suggested, the numbers don't mean everything but they do mean something.

Hang in there! 

[drewm]

And my numbers started out in the basement, CD-4 (08) VL (500,000) and here I am eight months later with great numbers and I am in good health. I thank God everyday for life, health and happiness. My doc is less concerned with my CD 4 count as he is with keeping the VL low to undetectable which is our goal for April.

I agree, just live each day for what you have and try not to dwell on numbers. It's very hard to accomplish this but like some have suggested, the numbers don't mean everything but they do mean something.

Hang in there!