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.
Hello Kayla and thanks for the question.
ARVs can keep you healthy and ensure a full, active life for you.
I understand you feel well today but your body is undergoing a huge stress, even if you don’t realise.
Today, we have better treatments compared to 2013 and the medication is much better tolerated.
You should contact your clinic to have blood tests and see what your CD4 count is today and also discuss what treatments might be available to you.
Hi I was taking ARVs since 2013, but they were making me sick, so I decided not to take them again since 2020. I’m not facing any problems, should I continue with that?
Hi Mfundo, do you know what your current CD4 count and viral load is?
And how have you been taking your medication/how long have you been on it?
I’m Mfundo so I live with HIV nd my CD4 count is too mach .so I need too plans to take my madiceni well
Hi Grace, how have you been coping since finding out you are living with HIV? Do you know your current CD4 count and viral load?
What is the name of the ARVs you are taking and what time do you take them?
Hello i was diagnosed with HIV on April and was given ARV and solonex 300m but i am experiencing some weird feeling brain zaps flu like symptoms and trouble sleeping with discomfort tounge is it the side effect of 1 of the medication????
Hi Dimakatso, have you spoken with your sister about why is she is not taking pills?
And do you know what her current CD4 count and viral load is?
How much weight has she lost? and is she engaging with her doctor?
Hi, I am Dimakatso I just found out that my sister is infected but not taking the pills am scared the way she lost weight i saw lot of pills in her room.any advice please
Hi Richard, what is the name of the treatment you will be taking? Side effects do not happen for everybody. It is more common to not have side effects. There is nothing you need to do before starting treatment to help prevent side effects.
I tested positive recently I will start my medicine tomorrow am scared if there will be effect in my body remember my results were not detectable at the first time .am very healthy what should I do so that I don’t get effects