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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: Inchlingblue on March 09, 2009, 12:10:56 am

Title: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: Inchlingblue on March 09, 2009, 12:10:56 am: I'm wondering how often people with HIV get their routine labs (blood work) done. Normally it's every 3 months but I think there are exceptions to that, hence this poll.

Thanks so much for your responses. ;)
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2009, 12:16:57 am: I get mine every 4 months and I'm not sure if I'd ever want to go below that frequency, but then I went every month for over a decade. I seriously can't imagine going once a year with a chronic disease like HIV.
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: J.R.E. on March 09, 2009, 06:11:51 am: Hi,

I get mine done every 3 months.

Ray
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: aztecan on March 09, 2009, 10:50:26 am: I have my viral load and CD4 done every six months.

Well, I'm supposed to have them done every six months. I was a bit late the last time.

I am willing to do this because my counts have been incredibly stable for more than a dozen years. However, if there is even the hint of change, as there was one January when the blood sample was mishandled and it looked like a viral breakthrough, then it would every three months maximum, maybe every month if I felt there was something to be concerned about.

I also would insist on labwork if I "felt" something was amiss. You know your body better than anyone else, after all.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: clsoca on March 10, 2009, 11:20:00 am: I intially was scheduled for blood work every 3 months. Now my blood work is every month until my viral load is undetectable. Once undetectable, I will resume the 3 month blood work and the results will be emailed to me and anyone else who I wished them emailed to (IE: case manager). Also if I want more frequent blood work done I can do that too. Its up to me. All I have to do is go to USC, stick my arm out and bam, a week later the results are waiting for me in an email. If I want to see my Doc or talk to him I can email him or schedule an appointment.

He also gives his patients free classes in the evenings. It's voluntary and he calls the classes "tracks." He currently has 42 "tracks." Each track contains a different HIV related topic.
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: buca45 on March 10, 2009, 11:45:30 am: Once every four to six weeks and each visit is another test to see why I am feeling so exhausted and full of severe aches and pains. Although my CDs (stays around 300 regardless of meds) and Viral Loads (stays at undetectable or slightly elevated).
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: Inchlingblue on March 10, 2009, 02:38:49 pm: Quote from: clsoca on March 10, 2009, 11:20:00 am
I intially was scheduled for blood work every 3 months. Now my blood work is every month until my viral load is undetectable. Once undetectable, I will resume the 3 month blood work and the results will be emailed to me and anyone else who I wished them emailed to (IE: case manager). Also if I want more frequent blood work done I can do that too. Its up to me. All I have to do is go to USC, stick my arm out and bam, a week later the results are waiting for me in an email. If I want to see my Doc or talk to him I can email him or schedule an appointment.

So, the reason for every month is so you can see how fast the VL is decreasing and CD4s increasing with Atripla? If you want more frequent than every month and you go to USC is that part of a research study? It sounds intriguing....thanks ;)
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: clsoca on March 10, 2009, 07:31:59 pm: I am not part of a research project whatsoever. My ID Doc has expressed that if it will reduce my stress to know more frequently what my numbers are that he will approve it. I stop by his office and pick up blood draw orders and jam to USC or even UCLA (Ronald Reagan clinic). It's my choice since he works at both places.

I do acknowledge that I am blessed with my level of health care and don't take it for granted. The firm I work for provides very good health insurance and I am very appreciative.
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: minismom on March 10, 2009, 08:13:11 pm: Mim went from every 2 weeks, to every month, to every 2mths, to 4mths, and has had them done every 6mths for the last several years. Her PID wanted us to stick with the every 4 mths, but I didn't see a reason for it. There were a few exceptions last year when we had them done every couple of months, but we're back on our 2x/yr schedule.

Mum
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: emeraldize on March 10, 2009, 11:34:56 pm: I've been getting labs every 3 mons. with a visit every 6 mons. However, I'm going to propose labs every six mons. with a visit every six mons or once a year (if she'll go for that).
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: fearless on March 11, 2009, 01:36:47 am: I'd be more than happy to have mine taken once every 6 months, but unfortunately as my doc can only prescribe 3 months worth of meds at a time I have to go back every 3 months and bloods are drawn.

My numbers have been stable for a good few years and I have a pretty stable lifestyle. Visiting the doc and having blood drawn every 6 months would save me some time and money, but would also save the taxpayer a heap of money if it was offered more widely.
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: beefbud on March 11, 2009, 06:09:50 am: Quote from: aztecan on March 09, 2009, 10:50:26 am
I also would insist on labwork if I "felt" something was amiss. You know your body better than anyone else, after all.

HUGS,

Mark

I really appreciate to hear others say this. Sometimes I feel like i am being a pain in the rear if I email my doc and tell them that I am unsure about something going on with me and ask to have some labs done. 2 years for me but only a month on meds so to hear a LTS input is great welcome.

Its normally every 3 months for me but it has been about every month for the past 3 right before going on meds and a month after starting them...just went yesterday and am curious (if not excited) to see the outcome of one month on treatment. LOL yeah, stupid things excite me :)
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: newt on March 11, 2009, 01:01:43 pm: Once a year if i can work it

I wish my General Practicioner could draw the blood etc, it would be a damn sight more convenient.

The timing thing is really a personal preference and perhaps based on stability of your current clinical picture, which will change.

- matt
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: bufguy on March 11, 2009, 02:14:49 pm: My doc has me come back every 3-4 months. Every visit he tests my Vl, but has decided every other month is OK for CD4, CD8, lipids and all the other blood work.
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: buca45 on March 13, 2009, 12:31:32 pm: I swear I had replied to this earlier today, but I must not have sent before I closed out.
I have them done every 4 - 6 weeks and have been on this schedule for around 5 or 6 years as I change meds often due to severe reactions to combos.
I'd give anything to be away from my clinic for 4 or 6 months!!
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: Inchlingblue on March 18, 2009, 09:00:45 pm: Thank you for all the responses so far@!

If any others out there would like to respond to the poll, to make it more comprehensive, that would be awesome.....Gracias ;)

Keep it coming.......
Title: Re: Labs Every 3 Months or Every 6 Months?
Post by: decayingsinner on March 29, 2009, 05:55:31 pm: Every three months for me. It would be nice to do every four months and to have one fewer occurrence of lab work. Would save some $$.