POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: NewLife4Me on August 12, 2008, 03:18:22 pm
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I have been on my regimen (truvada, lexiva and norvir) now for 6 weeks and went for my blood work this morning. I was hoping that the results would come back fast but was told that it will take about 2 weeks for my cd4 and my viral load to come back. I am very anxious for the results to say the least. I went into the hospital in June with high fever and found out that my cd4 was 10. I was not taking any meds at the time and a week and a half after being in the hospital they started me on this combo.
I have started meds 3 other times and have been able to tolerate the side effects, this time though it has been horrible. Six weeks in and still dealing with nasty nausea and other crap that goes with them. I really hope that they are doing the job that they are intended to do.
One question for all of you out there..... How much do you think depression and mental anguish contributes to lowering your cell counts? Had some serious relationship problems that I am having a very hard time getting over.
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Newlife,
Best of luck on the numbers-I'll be thinking positive thoughts.
A direct link between stress and t-cell loss has not been documented, but going through a period of extreme stress, could bring on other health concerns-and with a weakened immune system, stress related illnesses could seem worse.
Hoping you get some good news in two weeks!... :)
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I don't think that there's a direct link with depression and cd4 counts, certainly not when you are on HAART. But the danger in untreated depression is it's effect on med adherence. I'm quite sure I've seen studies that show this... blazingly so in fact.
NewLife, you say you've stared meds 3 other times. You mean this was previous to your current dip to 10 cd4s, and that when your cd4s went that low you were on some sort of treatment break? If so, why?
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You stopped 3 other times due to side effects? I was a guinea pig... taking God knows what? I drank my own urine after reading the book "Your Own Personal Medicine" herbal teas... reccommended from Maria Treben... 2 liters of various crappy herbal teas 6/7 2 liters a day... grapefruit seed extract... chinese crap just to stay alive... UAB made me take horse pills 12 at a time... cold sheet treatments... every type of a promised cure I did it and worked 40 hours a week... speaking of nausea? I was on the merc study for later to be called crixivan... God knows how much AZT I swallowed... I had diarreah for 3 years taking zerit/kalentra... Its called you have to have the WILL to LIVE... We are our own worst enemies... I've listened to soooo many self help tapes... Louise Hayes was pretty good... one thing I found was attitude... a positive attitude goes along way...
now having nausea is by far no fun trip... its awful... Have you spoke to your doctor about this? Your at a stage where you have to make a decision... you can't keep changing meds the more you change the less you have to choose from. Do not get upset if your cd4 count does not jump off the charts to a higher level... look for your VIRAL LOAD! if your viral load starts dropping... it means its working against the virus... now for nausea ... speak with you doctors... talk to them... there are drugs that will help.
You also have a computer... its a tool... look for suggestions from others... project inform is a great site... the body is also... I bake with canna butter to keep my appetite and yes... I am employed and still trying to deal... but, the best thing I can offer is for you to focus on the positive ... even when your at your lowest. Ive kept records (journal) over the years... what worked... what did not etc... I'll check to see what helped the most for nausea... remember your not alone... everyone on this board is pulling for you
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I was not on a Doctor approved med Vacation........ I was very very stupid a number of times. My schedule did not coincide with the medications at one point and I stopped. The last time I stopped taking them was when I lost my job, insurance and could not afford to take out the cobra insurance. Unfortunately I had just recently moved to the area and was not aware of a fantastic clinic here that could help me out. I know about it now though and will be forever grateful to them.
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It is only 3 days after my blood draw and it feels like 3 weeks! OMG, this is going to drive me over the edge. I am trying to keep busy and keep my mind off of it but I have a horrible feeling that the results are not going to what I am hoping for. I think that having a CD4 of 10 and a relationship that just fell apart for no reason has gotten me into sort of a negative view on things. I know this is nothealthy and fighting it as much as possible..... hope the next week and a half flies by! :(
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It is only 3 days after my blood draw and it feels like 3 weeks! OMG, this is going to drive me over the edge. I am trying to keep busy and keep my mind off of it but I have a horrible feeling that the results are not going to what I am hoping for. I think that having a CD4 of 10 and a relationship that just fell apart for no reason has gotten me into sort of a negative view on things. I know this is nothealthy and fighting it as much as possible..... hope the next week and a half flies by! :(
You said it, not me....but I will agree....agonizing over test results changes nothing...my advice?...PUT DOWN THE KEYBOARD...at least for a while. These forums are a wonderful resource, but sometimes you just need to get your head out of the soup.....Still thinking positive thoughts for you!.... :)
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ATLQ
Good advice.... I needed a little break and did not see it myself. Took a few days away from the site and spent it with friends.
It has been a week now since my draw and I am more excited and nervous than I think I ever have been. Excited because I am feeling so much better than I did in June when I got so sick and nervous because I am hoping that my CD4 of 10 has at least doubled. It has actually become a running joke with my friends. When they invite me to go somewhere they refer to me as "you and your 10". I know they will be happy if they are not able to say that anymore but at the same time the smart asses will come up with something new.
Thank God or who/what ever for great friends and all the people on this site.
One week to go for results! fingers are crossed!