Received an email from someone a few days ago. Never really thought that this blog would go that far. I mean- reaching out to other people. I blog just for the sake of keeping my close friends updated if they want to know whats going on. But to help some stranger out? Well, at first that was the primary reason but i figured i was the one needing help. But if helping people out would be God's ways of letting his people closer to Him? Then why not.
So here goes.....
What sort of problems are you having with your results? Is that the CD4 result or the confirmatory result?
If you already got the confirmatory results and it hows REACTIVE, the next step you should do is to find an ID (infec disease) dr. After that, she will have you scheduled for a CD4 test in Vicente Sotto that usually happens every last friday of the month. The results will be out within a week. If your cd4 count is 350 and below then thats the time where you have to start taking ARV medications. But if its 350+ then your doctor will probably require you to do some lab test to check for possible OI (opportunistic infection) if there are any. But supposedly everything is fine. Then all you have to do is change youe life style and have a healthy living. Taking vitamins and keeping fit would do. And staying away from anything stressful. I've known a lot of people that havent started medications yet for years after diagnosis and they continue to increase their cd4 count.
Regarding your question if the medication helps. Well that depends. HIV is a case to case basis. The meds depend on the virus in you and how your body reponds to the prescribed meds, your doctor will be able to give you meds based on your lab results should your cd4 be lower than 350.
For most people, the ARVs are really a great help. It could take time though. But you should really be very cautious in taking your meds on time in the first 3 months. You should take it exactly on the time prescribed to you by your doctor. Not a second late. Thats the key in increasing your cd4 count. ARVs are only treatments, they dont cure the virus. They only suppress the vius that you have.
Taking ARVs? Its not the easiest thing to do. Aside from multiple alarms everyday. You have to also get used to its side effects.
So i suggest if you are not yet on ARVs, dont plan or even wish to take them. Keep healthy as long as possible.
For me, i used to say that ARVs might make my allergies go away. But as you know it. It didnt work. My first cd4 last dec 2013 was at 602. Then last June 2014 it dropped to 345 thats why i had to take ARVs last July 2014. Supposedly, im about to take my next CD4 count test this month but DOH has no schedule yet. So ill probably take them next month once the schedule is already out.
Side effects of my meds are NOT OKAY. Esp the effavirenz. Its a drug that i resent taking everyday since July. (Im not scaring you, im just being honest). It makes me dizzy for hours. The feeling of being drugged, hang over, and everything spinning around you, the feeling of litteraly hot, and my saliva tastes weird too during the first few months.
But now, im slowly adjusting to it. Getting dizzy is still there. Being dizzy 10x more than the usual. But im coping up with it.
My other 2 arvs dont have any side effects at all.
However, i know a few people having NO side effects with effavirenz. Like NONE at all. So again, the meds varies from one person to another.
ARVs does it help? In my case i dont know yet since from last Jun's cd4 of only 345. I dont know if my cd4 increased after about 6 months of taking arvs. But seeing all my lab results are a little bit pleasing. My WBC are up and everything seems to be going back to normal. Im starting to gain weight too, slowly but surely.
Hope this helps.
-Z
Email me at: iamlivingbyfaith2013@yahoo.com.ph
posted from Bloggeroid
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