I had this situation in 1998 when I had catostrophic treatment failure. I switched from AZT/3TC/Indinivir to D4T/Saquinivir/Efavirenz/Ritonivir. My CD4 soared from 200 to 980, whilst this new regime did not make me undetectable. This was due to the phenomena known as cross resistance. Cross resistance occurs when previously used drugs and new drugs shared similar points of genetic resistance. I maintained a high viral load and high but dropping CD4, until 2003. My CD4 dropped from the dizzy heights of 900 slowly down to 50 over 7 years whilst keeping me clinically well. A failed regime can keep you clinically well until yourCD4 drops below 240. My clinician at that time was waiting for brand new agents that had never been used beforeto become available to me. In March 2004 to avoid death, I switched to two brand new agents known as Fuzeon/T20 and Tipranivir/Ritonivir. After 3 months I became undetectable for the first time and have not had any blips to date. In summary if your undetectable there is no need to worry, as there would be no reason for your treatment to fail, unless you miss doses.

Way above normal?-My count is just over 1100 cd4 and under 20 load for years and Ive had this over 20 years, so you will get there. All other functions just fine too. It depends on the person and your general health. There were some years that they thought a "drug vacation" (not exactly what you may think) was a good idea, this simply meant going off the treatment with the idea that the body would recover from side-effects and damages from the meds. Bad idea. I dropped to 300 cd4 but was in general good health and recovered relatively quickly. Im no doctor but think you'll be ok. I mention the drop bc coming back made the previous regimen ineffective (cross-resistance mentioned in a comment above mine) so dont miss doses and you can also get that resistance from unprotected sex with someone who is detectable.

I guess it depends on where there CD4 was at the time of infection. Immune decline is a gradual process. When you say high viral load, I'm thinking someone in the millions. 800 in still is the normal range. My dr's chart list (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators) as considered the normal range

Not sure , tbh. I just got back blood work last week and not only my viral load went back to being undetectable ( it was at 30 my last test ) , but my t-cell went up 40 points from 643 (?) to 683. I also found out the syphilis has gone down to a 1 to 2 ratio . Which has me thinking that’s not the reason why I’m tired and that I’m dealing with depression. So I finally make an appointment to talk to someone . First session is tomorrow morning . Hopefully the 5 th ? 6 th ? time is a charm ? We’ll see.