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 Mbali,
If you aren’t yet on meds, the rash is unlikely to be related to your HIV. Therefore, this is something that you should talk to your doctor about.
With regards to being scared about starting meds, this is common. However, if you want to control your HIV, its important that you being them. This is more important if you have a low CD4 count. For more info about starting meds, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
Hi I just find out that I am HIV positive. And am developing rash on my face and neck, I went to consult with the doctor and they gave me arvs bt I havent take them since. Am worried and am scared
Hi Zolelwa,
Because this has been going on for 3 weeks, you should talk to your doctor this. They will be able to give you something to help ease the side effects from the Odimune.
I am vomiting and diarrhea after using Odimune this is the third week,how can I stop both help me.
Hi Tatenda,
When first starting some meds its common to feel dizzy. This should however go within a few weeks. For more info about starting meds, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
I’ve just started taking meds. l feel dizzy all day, its difficult for me to work. Is this is passing phase, or will it always be like this?
Hi Unknown,
No one can compel you to take ARVs. However, the World Health Organisation’s recommendations are, are that everyone who is positive should be on ARV’s. This includes people who have high CD4s. The reasons why are explained here with the START study:
http://i-base.info/i-base-qa-on-the-start-study-results/
If your CD4 count is about 600, is it compulsory to take ARVs?
Hi Felicity,
Its good to hear that you’re on treatment, and that your managing OK with the side effects. These should get better in a week or so.
With regards to reinfection, this is very rare and is a complex issue. However, its only of real concern if either you or your husband were resistant to the ARVs that you were taking. Given that your husband is refusing to take treatment this isn’t an issue for you. He should though seriously think about treatment.
For now, because you’re pregnant its important to think about yourself and your baby. Which you are doing because you’re on meds. There’s more info here about HIV and pregnancy that you might find helpful:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi I just found out I’m pregnant and hiv positive and started treatment the same day, side effects wise I think I’ve been lucky so far as I suffered only for the first few days(it’s been a week and few days since) , hallucinations, headaches loss of appetite, lately I am just dizzy. However my husband blatantly refuses to take treatment and on top of that still insists on having unprotected sex, I don’t want to harm my baby and myself and leaving is not an option yet. I want to know what are the risks of reinfection or developing MDRHIV. I’d appreciate a straightforward answer as I’ve searched almost everywhere and I’m really worried