HIV Support Group

This is an interesting article. I found out last week that I am coinfected with HCV, according to this article, I should start treatment right away. My first set of numbers looked decent, CD4 of 665 and viral load of 2,900 and my 2nd set CD4 dropped to 466 and VL 7,000. My nurse did suggest that if my T-cells continue to decline, I will have to start on meds.

My doc and I talk about this. There is an other thing to think about. Since HIV patients are living longer, they found that starting drugs sooner lowers the risk of cancer rates later on.

Its cause the body always produces cancer cells, its just something that happens and the immune system "takes care" of them. So if there is a risk of cancer or you had cancer it is best to start early.

well not real sure I agree with starting meds early I met people who knew people who started early and didnt live over 10 years I my self didnt start meds till late not because I knew I was pos and was waiting but because I didnt know and when I found out my counts where tcell was 9 and viral load was 1 million.see one year before went to my doctor sayinf there some thing wrong and they didnt fine any thing wrong but they never thought to test me for Hiv so year later went back and told him i was still not feeling right so he run more test and said well maybe I should test you for hiv but he siad most likely you dont have it andI said sure way not in 1981 I needed 15 pints of blood to stay alive who know if the blood was ok.but back to what was saying my counts where low now my counts are very good tcell 400 and viral load 50.but I hear of people who done even better then that.I know one person who counts have stay the same in 10 years and no meds God bless

on the other hand, if you take meds before you *really* need them, then they say you will become resistent to those drugs over time. so, in that way, it's better not to take meds until you need to.

i'm not just twisting things around either. my doctor told me "well when you finally do decide to take meds, we'll have all of them to choose from"

It realy is going to depend from person to person. There are so many variables, which is why there are so many oppinions on it.

The best thing is to keep up to date on what is out there and what the thinking is on your other medical issues. And keep up to date on your appointments to get your counts.

Having had cancer before and in a higher risk group for it i need to think about the early route. I am not currently taking any atm. But it is something I need to realy think about.

I will hold off on the meds for as long as I can. I have been undetectable for 5 years w/out yet my cd-4 is running between 330 to 700. Recently my viral load has increased to 104 coppies and my cd-4 went up to 693 I took combivir and koletra during pregnancy and I know I was misrible I feel for anyone who is taking meds and I fear the day I should have to.

I took vitamins and alternative treatments for 15 years till my immune system showed signs of buckling. When I started treatment I foolishly stopped all the vitamins etc. The side effects have been bad, but since boulstering my immune system with the vitamins again I have been feeling stronger and on top of things.

I don't regret delaying treatments till my t-cells dropped below 200 - for me it took over 15 years. Although they recommend starting treatments now with 350 t-cells, I still think I did the right thing.

Set yourself a base point to commence treatment and try everything you can to stay above it. In the end my t- cells remained above 300 for the past 5 years, but my VL started to spiral in the last 6 months and that's when I decided to start treatment.

It was really hard, but I have to believe in them 100%. My first months results are good, VL down from 120,000 to 369. But I really do feel the differenece from a thorough herbal and vitamin regime.

I took combivir during pregnancy as well. It was horrible. The only reason the doc put me on meds was for the baby. After she was born I stopped taking them and was off for around 5 years when my doc said I needed to go back on. I was scared remembering how it was when I was pregnant. I cried and did not start to take them until about a month after he gave them to me. But, once I was on them I settled in rather well and do not see much in the way of side effects. I am currently on reyataz and truvada. They are not so bad. My last count was undetectable and CD4 was 864.

Smiley1775: Did you ask your doctor if the severe side effects you initially experienced may have been related to hormonal changes due to the pregnancy? I ask because I have heard similar stories from HIV+ mothers who had to take antiretrovirals during their pregnancies. I'm glad you are doing well, however. It seems like they are really doing their work. Peace.

squEarl: The doctor told me that was a common side effect not related to pregnancy. He also said that they did not tell the patients about it because they had too many who just thought they were having symptoms. I am not with that doctor anymore. The headaches were horrible and I was upset knowing that I could have ended it sooner had I known what was going on.