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 Candice, what is the name of all of tablets you are taking?
Hi
I was just tested positive a week ago. I want to know why did they give me 3 tablets. They said I should drink the Solonex and another small tablets for 12 months apparently it is to prevent TB. I stiil need to get me test result next week for my viral load.
Hi Brayane, as with any illness you should speak with your doctor.
What can one do if one stopped taking ARVs for sometime and then starts to get I’ll
Hi Nancy, no you are not too late. It is great that you want to restart. Are you able to return to your old clinic? and have you had any recent tests for your viral load/cD4 count?
Hi I stopped taken my medications since two years now and now I want restart it hope am not too late
Hi Aisha, why do you think these symptoms are being caused by your treatment? As you have been on this treatment for over 10 years it would suggest that these recent symptoms are being caused by something else. Do you know your current CD4 count and viral load? Have you spoken to a doctor about your current symptoms?
I started ARV’S on 2012 I didn’t have any problem with it, but now it’s about 3 weeks, I am feeling dizzy, weak, coldness and headache, I want to stop drinking ARV’S bcz they damage me.
Hi Buli, are you able to access treatment from a near by health/clinic pharmacy? What medication are you taking? As you are still early in your medication it is not likely that your viral load is completely suppressed. This means that without medication your viral load will be able to go back up. How quickly depends on how many days you will miss and what treatment you are on. Some treatment can remain active in the body longer than others so missing a day or two will be okay. When will you be able to access your treatment again?
Im on arvs for 2 weeks now and never skipped my medication.. Now im weekend away i forgot them at home what can i do