Question
I don't want to take treatment, how can I increase my CD4 count?
4 March 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Side effects, Starting treatment.
Hello,
I was diagnosed HIV positive in 2009 and at that time my CD4 was over 400. It then slowly dropped and the latest CD4 was 187. My doctor asked me take HAART medication plus he also ask me take bactrim. I started HIV medication and after I took the medication, within 30 minutes I had a headache, very high fever, rash all over my body, vomiting, loose stool and I became so weak. I couldn’t even wake up from my bed, it was that terrible what I went through. So I just took HIV meds only once and then I stopped taking the medication because medicine should help the patient, not make my bad condition even worse.
Can you advise me how I can maintain my CD4 and CD8 because I just plan to not take modern medicine plus I am working person and I can’t take off all the time.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to hear you are having so much trouble taking HIV meds. Unfortunately the only way to increase your CD4 count is by taking antiretroviral drugs that make up HAART medicine. Many people have problems with side effects when they first start treatment. However, within 2-4 weeks your body will become used to the drugs and these side effects will lessen.
If you are suffering from side effects there are additional treatments the doctors can give you to prevent nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches etc. to help you get through the first few difficult weeks. If you start treatment and then stop you are in danger of becoming resistant to your medication. This means you may reduce the number of treatments available to you in the future.
If your CD4 count is only 187 then you need to start taking HAART as soon as possible. Before doing this you should ask your doctor for a resistance test. Which treatments did you take before? If you took nevirapine or efavirenz and got a rash then you should try to avoid these treatments.
For more information on side effect please follow this link to our guidebook on HIV and your quality of life
It might also help to view similar questions on starting treatment
HIV treatment is very individual and it is about finding the right combination for you. If you give the medication a try and are really not getting on with it then you can speak to your doctor about changing the meds to something that is more suitable for you.
If you decide not to take treatment then your CD4 count will decrease until you become very sick and eventually die. At the end of the day it is your decision whether or not to take treatment but you should be aware of the consequences if you are to make an informed decision. Good luck and please do not hesitate to contact us again if you need any more support.
Hi Zinhle,
I’m so sorry, it sounds like you’ve had a very difficult time.
But it’s good that you want to get back to taking HIV meds. And you are doing what you can to protect your partner by using condoms.
But going back on HIV treatment (ART) can look after your health. It can also look after your partner’s health too. That’s because, if you’re taking ART and your viral load is undetectable you can not transmit HIV, even if you don’t use condoms. Please see this link to Undetectable = Untransmittable.
You can go back to your doctor and ask to start ART again. If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign from this link to their contact page. They might be able to help with local support.
Here’s the introduction to ART. There’s a lot of info in this that can help.
Please let us know how you get on.
I my name is zihle 2012 I found out I was hiv then I went on medication then 2014 I started my treatment then I stopped I didn’t like it I was never ready to accept that I’m sick alot was going on in my life at that moment my mom passed away I had no were to do I had kids I didn’t know were to take them any way I’m now starting to cough alot n loosing weight then gain weight again I’m having migraines runny tummy so I want to get back to my medication but I’m scared I don’t drink that much my partner n I use protected sex since 4 years I’ve never told him I’m scared please help n tell me what to do
Hi Sonto,
For nearly everyone who has tested HIV positive, the HIV tests will still be HIV positive even if you have an undetectable viral load.
This is because HIV tests look for an immune response (called an antibody). Please see this Q&A for more info.
Can it happen that u test positive today and negative tomorrow?
Hi Wandile,
Telling someone that you’re positive can be hard, and I suspect it can be really difficult when you’re so young. I wish there was an easy answer to this question, but there isn’t. However, have you though about introducing the topic of HIV to her? This may help in gauging her reaction.
Guys,i am a guy aged 19 and am on ART since I was 14.Curently dating a girl who is not on ART,and we are doing all well but we are not involved much on sexual activities,and my Concern is about the way she wants things to be like between us.i love being with her in my life,so my question is how best can I open up to her and tell her that am leaving with HIV?plz help
Sedila, I’m blessed, evertime when I read comments/questions people doesn’t want to take or stopped taking Arvs, guys accept yourselves have peace with yourselves love the fact that you have another chance of living. Guys Arvs are only way, together with God you MUST take your Arvs. I do since last year and I’m at peace with myself, I’m HIV positive mother of 12yr n 10yr,i pray that I don’t get to die soon and I take my meds religiously. Love yourself have peace within take your meds n God bless.
Hi Portia,
i-base are based in the UK. If you’re having issues with access or you’d like info on accessing meds over the counter, please contact this org: https://tac.org.za
Hi, ive been on ART since 2009 , i started them in Cape Town, before relocating to KZN, ive found accessing treatment very diffucult in KZN as clinics / hospitals are over crowded, the conditions which we are subjected to are unbearable and sometimes not conducive at all, im a single parent to 2 kids, i work long hours and find it difficult to attend clinics on scheduled dates, what are the options to get my meds over the counter ive been off them for 3 months now. I
Hi Shan,
I’m sorry to hear about your friend.
Can you ask why she is refusing to take the medicine? Is it because of side effects? If so, she can ask the doctor if there are other HIV meds that would be easier for her to take.
Does she have access to her CD4 count and viral load results? Please let us know.