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Reply #1 -
07/29/08
8:15am
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That seems very strange to me. My latest CD4 is 398 and VL 21,500 and they are trying to talk me into starting now (I think I'll start next weekend)... 
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Reply #2 -
07/29/08
12:18pm
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I also have cd4 counts between 260-330..My ID Doc has been desperately trying to get me to start the medications but it is me who is refusing the treatment at this time...maybe you should ask your Doc why he is saying that now you should not start..it does seem strnage that one minute he would say yes and the next no...Anyway, the numbers have to be three fold to make a difference and yours are not so actually having a 280 or a 319 basically is the same..Maybe ask your Doc some more questions..write them down so you don't forget them at your next apointment and good luck..let me know how you do..~Doll~
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Reply #3 -
07/31/08
4:07pm
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I am next there on the 18th this month. All the time I have been there its been between 320 and 450 (at the most) and they said I houldnt worry about treatment till it gets more below 250 because I seem fine and have been feeling fine although I have had a low CD4...
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Reply #4 -
07/31/08
7:56pm
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My doctors tell me that the current trend is to start treatment when cd4 is around 350 - easier to recover the counts and less likely to develop various cancers, etc. later. Also, possibly a decreased chance of facial fat loss, etc. down the line...
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Reply #5 -
08/02/08
10:35am
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Whether you start treatment or not is entirely up TO YOU! If you are feeling fine then why bother? Also, what is your CD4%? The percentage is a much better indicator than the actual number of CD4 cells as those can flucuate greatly in just one day so...
I wish you continued health and happiness.
BE WELL.
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Reply #6 -
08/03/08
8:51am
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I do agree with Mischif! That being said, even though I'm feeling fine, I just took my first dose about an hour ago. I'm very nervous about it because about a year ago I was on Atripla for 9 days, but developed the severe rash, and had to go off. Truvada is in my new regimen, so I hope that it was the sustiva, and not the truvada, that gave me the rash.
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Reply #7 -
08/03/08
3:24pm
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I got started when I went under 300, that was 4 months ago and now I am undetectable. I was pos for a bit over 2 years before I started to drop.
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Reply #8 -
08/04/08
2:43am
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Two things to consider: Drug toxicity and CD4 diversity. If you start too early you prolong your exposure to the medical side effects, if any. If you wait too long the family of CD4 cells is killed off until only a few strains remain. Some CD4s "specialize". You want to keep a whole rainbow of specialists aboard so they can all multiply. A wider diversity of defenders.
The choice is always yours. Its easy to insist or ask for a second opinion. I went off meds and got back on when I was at 175. I don't recommend that route.
There are may different cocktails these days. I found mine after several tries. My viral load is undetectable and so are the cocktail's side effects.
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Reply #9 -
08/05/08
9:28am
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I'm prob not gonna decide til the 18th when the pills are in my hand if im gonne start them yet or not, my decision keeps swaying but uv all been gud help so far ^_^
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Reply #10 -
08/06/08
4:30pm
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Not only is your cd4% important, but your viral load is too. Do you know what it is? If your viral load is high I would recommend starting treatment. Atripla is an easy once a day pill. Some have had few side effects, some have had crazy side effects. I was one of the few with crazy side effects, but they subsided exponentially within a few days and are minimal for me after 2 months. Hope that helps.
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