How true is that?

[yperoxos]

I read an official guideline on ART therapy (March 2016) which says that when someone starts ART with a cd4 count below 350 it will take him 6 years to reach 500 and that counts above that are not expected. What do you think?

[Positive80]

Hi. I'm sharing my relative experience. I stated ART in June 2015 with CD4 22. A moth ago my CD4 has reached 450. I think it varies from one to one but I feel 6 years timeframe is not realistic. Not everything on the net is accurate or correct. You may need to consult with your doctor. I hope things will improve at your end. 

[Ronjohn62]

not true

[Danoherbaculture]

Not at all sounding like reality to me. 

type BHIVA Treatment Guidelines 2015 into Google. (British ones)

[yperoxos in reply to Danoherbaculture]

Thank you. Well written and very informative!

[Dorsetguy01]

Started meds last Feb, cd4 at 345, viral load at 40,000. Had several results through the year, last cd4 at 490, viral load below 20, was last month result. Everyone different. 

[codyodie]

That is so not true. I live for 5 years with 4 t-cells. Once my meds were "fine tuned" by my Dr I made a huge turn-around. Within 1 year, I had 441 t-cells, even though Docs said I would never get more that 50 t-cells ever. I got my lab results 3 weeks ago. 977 t-cells and undetectable nearly 11 years. Take your meds everyday with good food, drink less alcohol, don't do meth, and you will live a long life. I've been HIV positive for 30 years, so trust me, please.

[yperoxos in reply to codyodie]

Well done codyodie and thank you for your report.

May I ask what your activities were during the time your T4 were low? Did you have a more reserved life?

[codyodie in reply to yperoxos]

Yes, my life was very reserved. I was always sick. Contracted AIDS related Pneumonia that almost killed me. I lost weight down to 108 pounds.  Doc appointments every single week. At that time, I was just waiting to die. Luckily, Docs were able to "customize' the new cocktail meds that were emerging on the HIV scene. At that point, I knew I was going to live longer, due to such a positive drastic turnaround for my health.

[yperoxos in reply to codyodie]

I'd like to meet you someday. You've been through so many, I admire you.

[codyodie in reply to yperoxos]

That would be great

[Trotski]

The actual CD4 count, once over 200 is much less important than the overall percentage,  in terms of having an immune system well calibrated for fighting off illnesses. If you're  looking only at the count that's like comparing a bodybuilder's  musculature to that of a long distance runner in order to determine which is healthier.