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 Asanda, do you know the name of the treatment you have started?
I found out am hiv positive started my treatment last week but now am vomiting shaking not eating the way I used to before ..what could be problem?
Hi, I am sorry to hear that you were being talked about. Telling the nurses that you are starting again is really important. It lets them know that you have already been on medication before and there may be other things they can offer e.g., more viral load testing to check that the medication works.
The nurses should not be anything but happy that you are starting treatment again – it means you are looking after your health. Have you been able to speak to anyone about being HIV positive?
I was diagnosed with HIV 2020 and started my meds for few months then stopped because I was so bad in taking them, I would forget taking them sometimes, and mostly I hated being asked questions by my friends when they see me going to the clinic and started talking behind my back, and one day I woke up very lazy to go to the clinic and that’s how I stopped . But now I’m thinking of starting my medication again and I am scared of telling the nurses that I was once on my medication I’m thinking of testing again and I know I’ll be positive and start my medication afresh, is that wrong in any way?
Hi Mandy. please see a doctor about the ringworm. This is easy to treat – but ringworm is NOT caused by ARVs.
ARVs are actually helping your immune system fight off other infections.
I have been taking arvs since 2018, but now I have developed ringworm that leaves black marks on my body, and I want to quit now. Please advise.
Hi Mills, why are you thinking about stopping ARVs?
Been on arv for 16 yrs I want to stop taking it I am 68yrs
Hi Cebs,
Since you stopped taking meds in 2016 have you engaged in any care? For example have you had your viral load or CD4 count checked?
Though you may feel well, you’re still positive. If you’re not using ARVs your immune system will be getting weaker. In time if you don’t engage in care your immune system will no longer be strong enough to support you.
It’s important that you engage with treatment again. As you had an issue last time, you’ll need to try another combination. There are a lot of ARV combinations.
If you do decide to restart taking ARVs, you’ll need to have a CD4 count done as well as a viral load test. You should also let your doctor know what meds you were taking before you stopped.
Hei am Cebs
I tested positive on 2016 went to clinic for medication I got a terrable rash I have to leave the medication ever since am ohk I don’t fell anything how dangerous is it?