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.
Is it ok that the anti retroviral pill is break into 2 using my teeth in my mouth when it take it? Im taking a combination with evaferenz.
Hi Thabani,
This will depend on where you live. Clinics should be open on a Monday.
I started my ARV’s on 2017. This month my pills are finished three days before the date that they told me to collect them. And the serious thing is that the clinic is closed until monday. From tomorrow until the fourt day i dont have pills. How can i get help?
Hi Mbuso,
Your CD4 is still likely to be very low. Though you may feel well, you’re possibly at risk of opportunistic infections. If your CD4 count is low then your body will struggle to fight off any infections. Basically you are risking your health. This is unless you restart the ARVs. Of course only you can decide to restart medication.
Hello Everyone, if I may ask… In 2017 March I was Diagnosed With MDR TB, and found out that Im HIV Positive with a CD4 as Low As 9, yes 9… So I Started Taking My ARV Treatment, I Took them untill December the 15th, then After that, I havent taken them again, but I have been on with taking My MDR TB Medication, and I Feel Great and strong, I Dont Get Sick Easly either, I havent had a Single problem since I have stopped taking My ARVs, so i would like to know, wut are the Dangers of doing this? Aswell as the Chances of getting ill again?
Thanks In Advance, Mbuso!
Hi eveyone
Firstly the reason side effects are unbearable is because the cd4 count is already too low under 200 is regarded as AIDS already and it will be a bit difficult for your body to take the medication as the virus is also trying to fight off the ARVs the only way is to stick it through and within a month or so your body would have adjusted to the meds.i started my Arvs 2 weeks back with a cd4 count of 355 i was informed and ready for all the side effects however i have been fortunate of getting no side effects at all.now this might be because prio to starting medication i had gotten blood transfusion as a result of anemia and lacking red blood cells so my system wasnt as bad.please continue taking your medication it will get better with time.
Hi Evestart,
Please talk to a doctor about this. They should be able to advise you on what to take.
Two weeks on starting my ARTs but I have a problem whenever I take meals the food hangs in my throat and my stomach swells I’ve taken antacids by no good response.. Advice please…
Hi Frank,
Some people have mild side efects when they first start ARVs. But these are usually mild and they go away in a week or two. It sounds like your ARVs don’t agree with you at all.
But can you speak to your doctor about changing to ARVs that are easier for you to tolerate? Here’s a guide to changing treatment to avoid side effects.
Six weeks after starting ARV treatment and the side effects are just unbearable. Always tired and nauseous, spending a lot of time in bed and can’t be productive at all. I mean, what’s the point? Spending time on meds supposedly to stay alive but you’re nowhere close to living.