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
My feet are hurting so much since I’ve started ARVs, I’ve been taking them for 5yrs now with the same problem and also sleepless nights.Is all of this normal?? Especially sleeping around 1-2 (am) in the morning from the time I started these pills. Please help I’m worried and also advise me on what tablets I can take on daily basis with ARVs
Hi Luzuko,
I can’t really tell you what the issue is without having some more info. Do you know what your bothers CD4 count is? Does he have any other illnesses, that is other than the HIV?
Hi.
My brother just started his HIV treatment 3 weaks ago but instead of getting better he is getting weaker and weaker what could be the problem? I am so worried. He has beend admitted into the hospital now.
Hi Lelo,
Are you taking medication that contains efavirenz? If you are this could explain why you’re feeling like this. These are common side effects when someone first starts this type of medication. These usually settle down in a few weeks. However if they don’t then please see your doctor as you may need to change. The following link might help: http://i-base.info/guides/starting and Q3 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
My viral load was high and i was so fine now its four days taking arvs i feel so sick like am confused living in a differe.t world my body is heavy and am dizzy y is arvs making me sick and i was fine b4 taking them can i live them they also make me so angry and my eyes cant see proplely arvz is making me sick y and how long should this go on nna am also working nite shifts
Hi Ezekiel,
What medication are you taking, so the names?
Hello I am newly diagnosed with the HIV virus and I went to the doctor
They gave me medications but the doctor was very agressivs due to he said he is tired that they referred us to him late
So he ask me to be taking the medication twice day morning and evening
But after taking 4 from the medication I started having side effect like my chest and hands are weakened including my legs so I called someone who is also Hiv patient and I was told that the medication written LTD is only taking once daily since they haven’t test my CD4
So now am afraid if the virus will become resistance to medications
And it Saturday so The department aren’t working
Hi Zulu,
It’s good that you’ve not been sick and that you’re eating healthy food and are exercising.
You can start taking ARVs again. That sounds like a good idea. But where are you living now? Are you able to access HIV treatment (ART)?
Taking ARVs again can help keep you healthy. But you need to talk to the doctor about your first treatment. You can ask for tests that can tell if the same ARVs will work as well as they should. If not you can ask for other ARVs that are likely to keep HIV undetectable.
If you’re living in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign for help and advice.
Hi
I was diagnosed with HIV 2 and a half years ago I took my arvs for about six months ND then stopped because I couldn’t afford to go back home where I was getting them as I got a new job, I want to start again though,but what will happen to me after two years of not taking them, I haven’t been sick of anything ever since,i have been eating healthy and exercising but I’m unsure what could go wrong
Hi Drew,
ARVs need to be taken whole, not broken into two.