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 Zandile,
I’m sorry that you’ve had problems with your HIV care. Regardless of you defaulting you shouldn’t be treated this way. People default all the time. Its just a part of life.
Have you thought about making a complaint?
With regards to getting meds, is there another clinic that you can go to?
Hi I’m HIV positive I defaulted and now I’m scared to go to the clinic because at first wen I go there ask for a transfer to another clinic because I can’t afford the transport anymore they shouted me like hell I would like to know if I can get my meds from a doctor cos now I’m scared to face those sisters what to do.
I know mistake but I don’t want them to shout at me
Hi Natasha,
Its very common to feel like this when you’ve just been diagnosed. What you need to do is slow down and breath. You’ll be OK.Is there someone that you can talk to?A close friend or relative?
Though you might be worried about taking medication, if you want to control your HIV its important that you take them. They will help you to lead a normal life. For more info about starting meds, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
With regards to telling your boyfriend, though this may be hard, if you’ve been having unprotected sex there is a possibility that he too is positive. Therefore, he will need to test.
Hi I just found out yesterday that I’m HIV positive and I’m afraid to take the drugs and tell my boyfriend plz help
Hi Tholwana,
No one at this stage can say if your baby will be positive or not. You are however doing the right thing by being on meds. For more info about pregnancy, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Am 40 years old, am hiv and 7months pregnant and am taking ATROIZA ,l would like to know there is a possibility to pass on hiv to my baby, Cd4 is 238 and Viral load is 56, I don’t want to breastfeeding to minimise the risk.
Hi Kalo,
Info about testing in babies can be found here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I am hiv positive and i gave birth to a baby girl and i stoped breastfeeding her at the age of 2 months and they have tested at 4 months and her results was negative, my viral loud was 49 and cd4 count was 409 i am taki g my medication, so i justwant to know if she can test positive even if i dont breastfeed her
Hi Lerato,
For now don’t worry about telling your parents, give yourself some time. When you’re ready then tell them.
Though you might be scared to start meds, they really are the best thing for you. They will help you control your HIV. And they will help you to have a normal life. For more info, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
For what will happen if you don’t take meds, please see Q7 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi I just found that am HIV positive, am scared to go to the clinic to take some meds and am scared to tell my parents.
What will happen to me if I don’t take treatment?