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 Mpho,
What’s the name of the medication you’re taking? How long have you been using it?
Weight loss can be due to a number of issues, if you’re taking ARVs it’s unlikely to be HIV related. However, if you have a low CD4 count there could be a connection. Have you discussed this with your doctor?
Hie
I started to take my arv on 2014.
I got six maybe for one month after taking itt
Now they change me to onother medication.
Since then I have headech that make me dizzy and feeling to sleep.
I am so stressed.i am loosing my weight also
Hi Dee,
I’m aware that taking meds daily can be an issue, especially if you’ve been taking them for a long time. However, you need to think about the positives, the meds that you take are keeping you healthy, they’re helping you to lead a normal life. If you choose to stop taking them your HIV will no longer be under control. You’ve your whole life ahead of you.
If you’re really struggling it might be worth getting some professional help.
Have been diagnosed with HIV since i was young girl.,,,have been taking the drugs since in my childhood,,,,I’m getting to a point of feeling like i wanna give up and stop taking them.
Hi Didi,
It’s good that you’re still doing fine. But nearly all of us who are HIV positive need to start HIV treatment.
You can talk to your doctor about this. And you can find all the info you need about starting HIV treatment (ART) in this introduction.
Please let us know how you get on.
I have been diagnose with HIV since 2010,but m not on treatment yet, I am still doing fine no sickness nothing,how dangerous it is
Hi Shosh,
It’s great that you’ve started HIV treatment (ART). That’s because ART has important benefits for you health even for people with a high CD4 count. Please see the START study.
But poor sleep is linked to some HIV meds (ARVs). However, if you have a headache it’s inportant to get this checked out by your doctor. And you can also ask about swiitching ARVs to other meds that might be better for your sleep.
Please let us know what ARVs you’re taking. And if you have access to your viral load and CD4 count, please tell us what the results are.
Hi I tested positive last year and now it’s my first week on treatment BT after I started treatment I can’t sleep and this is causing a headache is there anything I can use for my sleeping problem?
Hi Pulane,
It’s always a good idea to ask the doctor to look at your rash. Just to check it’s not a serious reaction to your HIV treatment. You can ask to change meds to find out if that helps.
But you can ask to see a special skin doctor too. If you need tips on what to do about about bathing you can see this section in the guide to side effects and quality of life.
Hi guys I have a problem, ever since I started to take the treatment I have tis rush that comes and go sometimes it’s inching sometimes it’s not but everyone can see it on my arms and thus Everytime it goes it leave marks and it’s been six months now and I don’t know, is it maybe what I apply after barthing or is there anything I should do, usually they say this side effects last for days to weeks am worried Everytime I complain about it at the clinic they don’t help me because it comes and go even though i tell them they don’t take me seriously and it’s worse at night minutes after I took the treatment during the day when am with family or friends it just appear anywhere i really need help