Question
What are the advantages to starting treatment if my CD4 is 324 and I have symptoms?
29 January 2008. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
Hi there again. Once again thanks for answering my previous question.
I feel a bit confused and wondered if you can help me out. I’ve been HIV+ for nearly 4 years now. My last bloods were, CD4 324 and viral load was 77,000. My CD4% was 16%. My last 3 sets of bloods have seen a decline in each visit, so I can see a pattern emerging.
My problem is that I’m feeling tired a lot and am noticing small problems re-occurring more and more regularly. They’re not major illnesses, just things like tiredness, skin problems, nail fungal infection, thrush, night sweats, stomach problems, mood swings.
All of these problems have started happening over the past 12 months. I’ve never had these many problems before so you can see why Im concerned.
My clinic doctor has touched on medication but hasn’t really said i need to go on it so I’m a bit confused when to start. My life is becoming a bit of a drag at the moment so am considering starting treatment now. I’ve been told that once I’m on treatment it will transform my life and I’ll feel like a new person, is this true? I know it’s sometimes a personal choice but would be grateful for any advice.
Thanks!
Answer
Hi
You are right that when to start treatment is a personal choice.
The symptoms that you list are commonly the first type of HIV-related illnesses that people get. If you start treatment these are all likely to improve as a result of your stronger CD4 count.
Treatment guidelines are also changing in the UK to recommend starting treatment when your CD4 count is around 350 cells/mm3 and have already changed to this in the US.
The advantages to starting treatment is that your CD4 count is likely to increase higher if you start now compared to waiting for your count to fall further.
Ask which combinations your doctor recommends, and ask about the differences and possible side effects so that you are in a good position to choose which you want tot try first.
In practice, after the first few weeks, most people find treatment is much easier than they thought, especially when they experience other health improvements.
Read the i-Base Introduction to Combination Therapy for more information on drug choices, adherence and resistance.
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