As I mentioned in my previous post, I had second CD4 count yesterday (Friday) after my 1st one last April. It was also time to have my CBC because I had been having low hemoglobin count since last June.
I got home at 6.30 a.m. yesterday from work, took a quick nap and went off at 7.45 a.m. to my treatment hub - Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang. I was nervous during the bus ride because I wasn't sure of what my new CD4 count and CBC results would be. The slow traffic at Edsa near the Magallanes interchange and at the Sucat intersection on Osmena highway added to my anxiety. I had to be at RITM before 9 a.m. because CD4 counts there are only done up to 10 a.m. I reached the Alabang area past 8.30 a.m. and arrived at RITM a few minutes before 9 a.m. I dropped by the clinic for pozzies to get my prescription notes for my CD4 and CBC, rushed to the laboratory and had them before 9.45 a.m. since there were also some other pozzies ahead of me who were scheduled to have their CD4 count too.
As a backgrounder, a CD4 count is done for HIV-positive individuals and it determines the remaining CD4 or t-helper cells in the body. When one has HIV, the virus depletes the body of CD4 or t-helper cells, whose primary function is to fight viruses and bacteria in the body. When something is not done to slow down the virus from depleting the body of CD4 or t-helper cells, it makes the person prone to all sorts of ailments.
After I had my tests, I went to the lounge for pozzies to relax and wait for the results, bonded with the lounge staff and other pozzies who were there, had lunch at the RITM cafeteria and was called to the clinic at past 2 p.m. My CBC results were in and my hemoglobin count went up from 135 last month to 137! Yey! I hope it is a precursor of my CD4 count results, which were not in yet and would be know later yet. My hemoglobin count was being monitored because from 153 in April, it went down to the 120s range starting last June, a side effect of one of the antiretrovirals (ARVs) I was taking. So, I was prescribed ferrous sulfate and told to eat green, leafy veggies and cooked animal liver (eww).
I got home past 4 p.m., so sleepy but anxious to know my CD4 count so I called up Ate Ana of the RITM clinic and she relayed to me the good news. My CD4 count has gone up! It's now 479! My first CD4 count last April was 315. I was ecstatic and said a prayer of thanks.
I wasn't really optimistic of getting a high CD4 count because even if I was already taking ARVs and living a healthy lifestyle (eating well, getting enough sleep, taking vitamins daily, etc.), I had been depressed and under quite heavy stress from work and after learning of my status last April. Depression and stress can wreak havoc on one's immune system so for an immuno-compromised person, he or she has to manage it well. So it was really a big relief when I learned that my CD4 had gone up and my hemoglobin count was on its way to recovery.
I slept with a smile and fitfully at that last night. Thanks to the good news I got. :)
Showing posts with label cbc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cbc. Show all posts
Friday, October 15, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Anxious
Come Friday will be my 2nd CD4 count. Along with it, I will also have my CBC since my hemoglobin count had been low last May, June and July - it was in the 120s range. Thankfully, my CBC went up last month to 135.
What is CD4 anyway and what role does it play in the body? About.com defines CD4 cells as cells that have molecules called CD4 on its surface. The same website also says CD4 cells, otherwise known as "helper" cells, initiate the body's response to invading micro-organisms such as viruses.
From my first CD4 count of 315, I am keeping my fingers crossed that my CD4 has gone up. ChemistryGuy told me that efavirenz, one of the antiretrovirals that I am taking, helps boost the CD4 count. Well, I hope so but I also learned that there has to be some effort also on the part of the pozzie to help it go up e.g., getting enough sleep, taking vitamins, evading too much stress, and eating well.
I see to it that I get enough sleep, I eat well and take vitamins. However, my work sked (I am on night shift) might affect my CD4 count. And I haven't been exactly free from stress and emotional turmoil the past few months.
Well, let's wait and see. And if my CD4 count has fallen, I am confident of the intervention that the doctor would prescribe for me to help it go up before my 3rd CD4 count scheduled in April next year.
What is CD4 anyway and what role does it play in the body? About.com defines CD4 cells as cells that have molecules called CD4 on its surface. The same website also says CD4 cells, otherwise known as "helper" cells, initiate the body's response to invading micro-organisms such as viruses.
From my first CD4 count of 315, I am keeping my fingers crossed that my CD4 has gone up. ChemistryGuy told me that efavirenz, one of the antiretrovirals that I am taking, helps boost the CD4 count. Well, I hope so but I also learned that there has to be some effort also on the part of the pozzie to help it go up e.g., getting enough sleep, taking vitamins, evading too much stress, and eating well.
I see to it that I get enough sleep, I eat well and take vitamins. However, my work sked (I am on night shift) might affect my CD4 count. And I haven't been exactly free from stress and emotional turmoil the past few months.
Well, let's wait and see. And if my CD4 count has fallen, I am confident of the intervention that the doctor would prescribe for me to help it go up before my 3rd CD4 count scheduled in April next year.
Monday, June 28, 2010
CBC update and a long trip to Bulacan
June 25. After I got off from work at 6 a.m., I took a quick nap and left the house at past 10 a.m. I arrived at RITM past noon for my follow-up CBC as scheduled and proceeded to the lounge since I expected the clinic to be closed. I chanced upon the lounge staff having their lunch and gave them a box of donuts that I had bought as "pasalubong."
At 1 p.m., I went to the clinical laboratory for my blood extraction and after less than 2 minutes, I went back to the lounge to wait for the CBC results. I was optimistic that my hemoglobin count would be higher than then 123 that I registered in late May since I was already taking ferrous sulfate and eating as much green leafy veggies as well as bitter gourd (ampalaya).
When the results arrived at the clinic, Ate Ana called for me and the doctor told me that my hemoglobin count went down a notch. From 123, it now was 122. What?! Haaay. Anyway, the doctor said I will have to return to RITM next month for yet another CBC. The good news is my lami-zido has not been replaced. I also had to replenish my supply so I was given three months worth of ARVs.
I was through with what I needed to do in RITM at past 4 and I hitched a ride with AA. We picked up my partner at Festival Mall then off we went to pick up A in Manila, who asked AA if he could bring him to San Miguel, Bulacan to pick up a laptop, and then AA's partner, J, in Quezon City. We got to San Miguel, Bulacan at past 9 p.m. and since we were near Gapan, Nueva Ecija, we decided to go there for quick dinner at Jollibee. We arrived back in Manila past 12. T'was surely a tiring day.
At 1 p.m., I went to the clinical laboratory for my blood extraction and after less than 2 minutes, I went back to the lounge to wait for the CBC results. I was optimistic that my hemoglobin count would be higher than then 123 that I registered in late May since I was already taking ferrous sulfate and eating as much green leafy veggies as well as bitter gourd (ampalaya).
When the results arrived at the clinic, Ate Ana called for me and the doctor told me that my hemoglobin count went down a notch. From 123, it now was 122. What?! Haaay. Anyway, the doctor said I will have to return to RITM next month for yet another CBC. The good news is my lami-zido has not been replaced. I also had to replenish my supply so I was given three months worth of ARVs.
I was through with what I needed to do in RITM at past 4 and I hitched a ride with AA. We picked up my partner at Festival Mall then off we went to pick up A in Manila, who asked AA if he could bring him to San Miguel, Bulacan to pick up a laptop, and then AA's partner, J, in Quezon City. We got to San Miguel, Bulacan at past 9 p.m. and since we were near Gapan, Nueva Ecija, we decided to go there for quick dinner at Jollibee. We arrived back in Manila past 12. T'was surely a tiring day.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I need iron!
I went to RITM early Tuesday morning for my scheduled complete blood count (CBC) to find out if the Lamivudine + Zidovudine, one of the ARVs I am taking, has not depleted or reduced my hemoglobin level. It has been known to have that side effect. Aside from my scheduled CBC, I also had to get a fresh supply of ARVs since I was running out of stock.
But first, what is hemoglobin? Medicinenet.com defines hemoglobin "as the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. It is made up of four protein molecules (globulin chains) that are connected together. Each globulin chain contains an important central structure called the heme molecule. Embedded within the heme molecule is iron that transports the oxygen and carbon dioxide in our blood. The iron contained in hemoglobin is also responsible for the red color of blood."
After taking a nap for an hour at home after getting off from work at 6 a.m., I went to RITM and arrived there past 9 a.m. I proceeded to the clinical lab so a blood sample can be extracted from me for the CBC and then I went to the patient's lounge to await the results.
During the wait, I began to itch on my arms and legs and saw red patches appear on the underside of my arms. Oh not, not again! Let this not be a third wave of rashes from the Nevirapine I used to take. I realized later that I was having allergic reaction to the dried fish I had for breakfast earlier. Sigh.
Six hours later, Ate Ana called for me and the doctor on duty informed me that my hemoglogin level has dropped from a little over 150 to the 120s range (the same level as that of a female's!). Tsk tsk. So I was prescribed ferrous sulfate and told to eat green, leafy veggies and animal liver to boost my hemoglobin level. I could take the veggies but not animal liver. Yuck! I also consulted her about my allergy and was prescribed antihistamines.
AA, a fellow pozzie who accompanied a newbie to RITM, told me that my allergy and immune systems are very sensitive and will continue to be that way for the next six months as my blood undergoes reconstitution with the ARVs I am taking so I have to watch carefully what I eat.
The doc said I have to stay away from salty food, poultry, fish, peanuts, milk in the meantime.
My next CBC will be on June 25 and by then, the ferrous sulfate and veggies have worked wonders for my hemoglobin so that my ARV does not have to be replaced by another medicine. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
But first, what is hemoglobin? Medicinenet.com defines hemoglobin "as the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. It is made up of four protein molecules (globulin chains) that are connected together. Each globulin chain contains an important central structure called the heme molecule. Embedded within the heme molecule is iron that transports the oxygen and carbon dioxide in our blood. The iron contained in hemoglobin is also responsible for the red color of blood."
After taking a nap for an hour at home after getting off from work at 6 a.m., I went to RITM and arrived there past 9 a.m. I proceeded to the clinical lab so a blood sample can be extracted from me for the CBC and then I went to the patient's lounge to await the results.
During the wait, I began to itch on my arms and legs and saw red patches appear on the underside of my arms. Oh not, not again! Let this not be a third wave of rashes from the Nevirapine I used to take. I realized later that I was having allergic reaction to the dried fish I had for breakfast earlier. Sigh.
Six hours later, Ate Ana called for me and the doctor on duty informed me that my hemoglogin level has dropped from a little over 150 to the 120s range (the same level as that of a female's!). Tsk tsk. So I was prescribed ferrous sulfate and told to eat green, leafy veggies and animal liver to boost my hemoglobin level. I could take the veggies but not animal liver. Yuck! I also consulted her about my allergy and was prescribed antihistamines.
AA, a fellow pozzie who accompanied a newbie to RITM, told me that my allergy and immune systems are very sensitive and will continue to be that way for the next six months as my blood undergoes reconstitution with the ARVs I am taking so I have to watch carefully what I eat.
The doc said I have to stay away from salty food, poultry, fish, peanuts, milk in the meantime.
My next CBC will be on June 25 and by then, the ferrous sulfate and veggies have worked wonders for my hemoglobin so that my ARV does not have to be replaced by another medicine. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
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