Question

My CD4 is 50 but I’m scared to start treatment!

25 March 2013. Related: All topics, Starting treatment.

I’m 26 years old HIV+ and my cd4 its 50. I’m scared to start treatment thinking that it wil make me sick and change my body shape and again I have a problem in taking pills. I always vomit after taking them but I do want to take treatment- please help!

Answer

Answer: Rebecca McDowall

Hi,

Thanks for your email. I’m sorry to hear how worried you are about starting treatment. It’s very normal to feel frightened about this, but it is important that you start treatment as soon as possible- in the next few days. This is because a CD4 count of 50 means your immune system is very weak and you are at risk of opportunistic infections like TB and pneumonia. Treatment for opporunistic infections can be more difficult to take than ARVs which treat HIV.

Although most people will experience some side effects when they start HIV treatment these are usually mild and improve after a few weeks. Side effects with newer drugs are generally much easier than with the first generation of ARVs. Changes in body shape are usually associated with older drugs. If you do experience this side effect, or others which are difficult to deal with, it is usually possible to change treatment to something which is easier to tolerate.

If you find taking pills difficult do discuss this with your doctor. You may be able to have your pills split to make them smaller, or you may be able to get liquid formulations of some drugs if you really can’t take pills.

Please let me know if you have any further questions, and have a look at our guide to combination therapy for more information.