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 Tee,
Its great that you’re thinking about starting treatment. Though you may be scared, this really is the best thing that you can do for your HIV.
Even if you not used meds since being diagnosed, it doesn’t mean that your CD4 count will have become low. You do however need to have it tested.
As to who you tell, this is up to you. No one needs to know about you taking meds. Once you’re ready, then you might want to talk about it.
And you’re right, being on meds will help you live a normal life. You’ll be in control of your HIV, and not it you. For more info about starting meds, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
Hey
I’ve been diagnosed with HIV 1 year and 10 months now..
I only went to the clinic once when i found out that i was hiv and my cd4 count was 584..
i think my ready to start treatment cause i want to live a normal life now and mingle..
I’m feeling well but my fear is im kinda experiencing mouth sores lately and I’m scared I might get to the clinic and be told that I have Aids instead.. it’s hasn’t been over 2 years but I’ve been taking care of myself..
I’m honestly scared of that but I need the courage to visit the clinic truly speaking.. I’m ready but a little anxious cause most of my family do not know about it except my sister and no, my sis has been supportive, She told me I could do this alone but I’m not sure about it cause my mom knows and shes not really that supportive. I want to tell her about the next step that I in about to take but I don’t know where to start or if I should take treatment and tell her on the later stage.. please help me
Hi Rato,
Is it difficult for you to swallow the pills? What meds are you taking? You can ask the clinic about different meds that come in smaller pills. Some meds can be crushed or split. You can to check with the clinic about this and see what other meds you can take.
Hy is the any injection for HIV as for other people seem hard for them to swallow the pill
Hi Lee, it is good you are continuing as most people say the side effects get easier. These two links have more information about efavirenz side effects and about insomnia/disturbed sleep.
http://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
http://i-base.info/guides/side/insomnia-disturbed-sleep
hi,started taking arv’s 3 weeks back..the first day was hell but i told myself i’d get used to the meds..after a few days all was well,now the problem is that i find it hard to sleep. sometimes when i do it last for an hour or less. is there anything i can take?
Hi Thuladu, how much as your CD4 count dropped? Small differences are not usually important. If sick effects are making you sick, please talk to your doctor or send us more information.
I just wanna know what makes the Cd4 to drop after starting ARV’s? I have that problem also and I’m feeling more sick than before
Hi patience,
Do you know what your CD4 is?
Its common to feel worried about staring ARVs. However, if you want to control your HIV you’ll need to be on them. Unlike in the past the any possible side effects are now much less, and they really do work. For more info about starting, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
I’ve been positive since 2003, I’m scared to be on treatment.