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.
Dear Mina, It’s great that your daughter’s CD4 count is 550, and really good that her kidneys are doing well. But it’s important to tell the doctors that she is also taking a natural supplement. That’s because some supplements can interact with some ARVs. You can find out more about this from the supplements and herbs Q&A here.
My daughter was diagnosed with HIV 5 years ago and started treatment immediately because she was pregnant and her cd4 was 200 after that cd4 improved to 550 but never go beyond 600 or more,and she started having skin problems and kidney problems. At the clinic they never gave us clear explanation they just suggested dialysis. In all I want to know if is it ok to take ARVS with another medication because last year I’ve started giving her a natural supplement and her condition has improved and the doctors are saying her kidneys are doing well and her cd4 is increasing every time she goes for check up but I haven’t told the doctors I’m giving my daughter another medication with ARVS.
Hi Esihle,
What tests have you had done, was this a viral load test? Or did you have another HIV test?
Hi I found out that I’m hiv positive last year November then they gave me treatment at the clinic but when I test in January my results come back negative i tested again last week Friday then still the results come back negative and i was not drinking the treatment same time everyday i change time infact i forgot the treatment so I want to know is it because they gave me the treatment that’s y my results come back negative
Dear Nomfundo, Testing HIV positive can be a tough time for everyone. And many people don’t know what to do. But if you are feeling well and strong, you have time to think carefully about starting treatment. Nobody should start treatment if they don’t want to. But it sounds like you have time to look and the possible benefits. You can read more about starting treatment for the first time here. This guide talks about worrying about side effects and taking the meds. But it also tells you about choosing meds that might be available. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about how some treatment might suit you better than others. You can contact Treatment Action Campaign to ask if there is support for you locally while you make any decisions. Best wishes.
I’m only 22 years old and I just found out that I’m HIV positive and I don’t want to take the medication.l think I was infected this year January because December last year I was negative and I don’t know what to do.
Dear Yolanda,
As Simon says on this question here. Your doctor needs to find out the cause of your diarrhoea. What meds have you switched to? You can ask if there are other meds you can try.
Helo,
I am HIV +Positive….i have bewn taking ARV’s since from Last year February,my CD4 was sooo low (84).as from then i was ok with Mesication preblem started when they gave me TRIBUSS …i started to have loose stool nd becoming weak each and every day.I told them at the Clinic but they did not say enything solid….i was ok with meds and i wz healthy gained my Normal weight but now i started again….i am nt taking Tribuss now but still i am loosing Waight each and everyday,i lost appetite,i drank a lot of water as i was tols but nothing is changing….i would like to know maybe what can i take to stop This loose stool nd gained my appetite again???…what kind of food should i take or not take
Hi Denys, Are you on treatment? And are you undetectable? If you are, then there is no risk to your partner. You can read more about the evidence for U=U here.
hi
I am HIV positive and my partner is not, since we dated we were using condom, will i infect him?