Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 29, 2024, 07:10:03 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
  • Total Members: 37614
  • Latest: bondann
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772953
  • Total Topics: 66311
  • Online Today: 741
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 462
Total: 462

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis  (Read 6120 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline egello

  • Member
  • Posts: 907
  • cb
When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« on: October 11, 2007, 07:52:56 pm »
so yeah, when? and did you all stay clear of PCP since?


thanks
1/29/07 14 T, 300 k V, 1.8 %
2/22/07 197 T, 247 V, 6.8 %
3/27/07 164 T, <50 V, 5.4 %
5/28/07 177 T, <50 V, 8.2 %
7/28/07 214 T, <50 V, 9.6 %
10/3/07 380 T, <50 V, 10 %

Offline David_CA

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,246
  • Joined: March 2006
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2007, 08:05:43 pm »
My CD4's weren't all that low and my % wasn't too bad when I noticed I was getting sick.  It turned out to be PCP.  I've been taking Bactrim since getting out of the hospital in early Dec '06.  My Dr's waiting for me to have an undetectable VL for a couple of tests.  Some things I've read indicate that often, when one has PCP with a CD4 count over 200 (250 from one source), prophylaxis should be taken indefinitely.  Not all sources I've found say this, but non have contradicted it.  So far, the Bactrim hasn't bothered me that I can tell.  I just have a bit of sun sensitivity now.  I'm not sure how my Dr. feels about this... or even how I fell about it.  I'd like to eventually take fewer drugs, but I sure as hell don't want PCP again!

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2007, 08:15:18 pm »

I was started on prophylaxis, late September of 2003, and was able to stop prophylaxis around November of 2004. So, I was on it for about 14 months. As soon as my t-cells got above 200 and showed that they were going to stay above 200, the doctor then decided I could stop the Dapsone.


Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline Basquo

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,385
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2007, 08:36:49 pm »
If it's not causing any monetary or health or convenience-related problems, would it be so bad to stay on it?

My experience: I was put on Bactrim and Levaquin when an ER doc diagnosed me with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. I stopped taking them 12 days later, because I knew I was very sick and I didn't suspect the antibiotics but I knew the pneumonia had cleared and I was miserable--spiking fevers, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, rash all over.  2 days later I was admitted overnight to my hospital, by a doctor who suspected it was an allergic reaction, and I was discharged the next day, allergic to Sulfa drugs. I had taken Levaquin before with no problem.

I went off the prophylaxis after 12 days.  And I'm sad I won't be able to take Bactrim if I ever need it again, because it's so cheap (on my plan,) but I understand there's other prophylaxis available. Should I need it.

Best,
Creighton

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2007, 08:48:58 pm »
I had to go off Bactrim after two weeks of consistent low grade fevers (sulfa allergic reaction), but by that time I was safely in the ~275 area if I recall correctly.  My advice would be to wait until you have three consecutive tests of 300, though that's just off the top of my head.  I'm not sure what accepted practice is currently as when I dealt with it this was 14 years ago.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2007, 08:52:49 pm »
Egello,

This is also from the lessons :


http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/PCP_6888.shtml


For HIV+ people who once saw their T-cell count fall below 200, only to see it increase above this level due to antiretroviral therapy, stopping PCP prophylaxis is an option. In general, patients should work closely with their doctors to make sure that their T-cell counts are, in fact, above 200 and do not show any sign of decreasing below this level again in the immediate future. If the T-cell count falls below 200 again, PCP prophylaxis must be restarted.




Ray
« Last Edit: October 11, 2007, 08:54:49 pm by J.R.E. »
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline egello

  • Member
  • Posts: 907
  • cb
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2007, 09:08:04 pm »
Thank you

I was just bit scared because I stopped taking Mepron a few days ago, and my chest felt little tight today, so I started worrying.
1/29/07 14 T, 300 k V, 1.8 %
2/22/07 197 T, 247 V, 6.8 %
3/27/07 164 T, <50 V, 5.4 %
5/28/07 177 T, <50 V, 8.2 %
7/28/07 214 T, <50 V, 9.6 %
10/3/07 380 T, <50 V, 10 %

Offline leatherman

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 8,593
  • Google and HIV meds are Your Friends
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2007, 09:44:47 pm »
I started taking Bactrim in 1998 after the 2nd bout of pnuemonia in a 3 year period.

The first time I was in the hospital 4 days with PCP, the second time I was in the hopital for 3 days with regular pnuemonia. And both damned times on my birthday!

Through almost ten years now, I've never had cd4s over 300* and I've never gone off Bactrim. Even when I was bad and quit taking the HIV meds because of the side effects, I NEVER stopped taking the Bactrim. It still makes me puke about two times a month when I take it, and I've lived with a low grade case of Hives for this past decade. But I haven't been back in the hospital since!  ;)

mikie
(who loves his bactrim cause he hates the PCP)
*after recovering from the 2nd bout, my cd4 hit 375; and 5 months ago they went up to 311. Out of the last 42 tests those are the only times they've gone that high
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Robert

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,658
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2007, 09:50:47 pm »
egello.

My response to the drugs (Reyataz, Norvir and Truvada) is a lot like yours.  I started out at 18 t-cells and within 5 months I was up over 200 and off the Bactrim.  It's been 4 years and I'm now sitting at 598 t-cells @ 36%.

robert
..........

Offline egello

  • Member
  • Posts: 907
  • cb
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2007, 09:55:59 pm »
egello.

My response to the drugs (Reyataz, Norvir and Truvada) is a lot like yours.  I started out at 18 t-cells and within 5 months I was up over 200 and off the Bactrim.  It's been 4 years and I'm now sitting at 598 t-cells @ 36%.

robert

great,,,, when you got off bactrim, did you feel any chest pain?
« Last Edit: October 11, 2007, 09:58:38 pm by egello »
1/29/07 14 T, 300 k V, 1.8 %
2/22/07 197 T, 247 V, 6.8 %
3/27/07 164 T, <50 V, 5.4 %
5/28/07 177 T, <50 V, 8.2 %
7/28/07 214 T, <50 V, 9.6 %
10/3/07 380 T, <50 V, 10 %

Offline vokz

  • Member
  • Posts: 391
  • efavirenz junkie
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2007, 02:09:31 am »
My CD4 was back above 200 within two weeks of starting treatment, but I stayed on Septrin for a further 5 months until I had three successive CD4 counts above 200.

I actually had far more annoying side effects from my three times a week PCP prophylaxis (especially sensitivity to light .. do you know how hard it is to get sunburn in England in December?) than I did from my HIV medication (in fact, by the time I came off the Septrin, all my medication side effects were from the prophylaxis).

Edited to add:

There was a recent Canadian study which suggested that patients with sustained virological suppression, even though their CD4 cell count was still below 200 cells/mm3, may be able to safely discontinue PCP prophylaxis (http://aidsmap.com/en/news/C0258128-0C3A-49C1-8CE2-9CDC9BBE3520.asp)
« Last Edit: October 12, 2007, 02:41:21 am by vokz »

Offline Robert

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,658
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2007, 03:57:25 pm »
egello..

It's been 4 years so I don't remember if I had any headaches or chest pain when I stopped the Bactrim.  The only side effect I remember is the beautiful tan I had. Although I was sicker than a dog, my friends thought I looked healthy.

robert
..........

Offline sdcabincrew74

  • Member
  • Posts: 540
    • My Manhunt account
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2007, 07:15:12 pm »
I went off bactrium after three months of CD4 results over 200.  I have never looked back.  I hate that shit, makes me so sick but it does work. 
The difference between an overnight and a layover is luck!

Offline SoSadTooBad

  • Member
  • Posts: 267
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2007, 09:31:47 pm »
I went off Mepron in January of 2007 - was on it from June of 2006.  CD4s went from 78 to 256 in that time.  I had two consecutive CD4 tests above 200, and I was free of the yellow goop! 

I got the prescription filled again anyway - I was paranoid about getting PCP, and I wanted to have it here, just in case.  It cost my insurance company almost $1,000 per month for me to take it - sucks to be allergic to Bactrim. 

I doubt the tightness in your chest is PCP - seems like there are a lot more pronounced symptions than that.  I had some tightness in my chest shortly after diagnosis that the doctors concluded was simply the stress of the situation. 

Offline Matty the Damned

  • Member
  • Posts: 12,277
  • Antipodean in every sense of the word
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2007, 04:57:05 am »
Matty the Damned nixed the Bactrim when he achieved 80 CD4 cells. That was months back. I've only just gotten above 200 cells.

Why? Frau Eva told me I couldn't stop taking them until I'd had 200+ CD4's for at least three months. I begged to differ with her.

As usual I was right.

MtD

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #15 on: October 13, 2007, 06:11:27 am »
I'm still on Bactrim and have been for over two years.

Offline Gary

  • Member
  • Posts: 37
Re: When did you exactly go off of PCP prophylaxis
« Reply #16 on: October 13, 2007, 02:54:28 pm »
I was on a lot of Septrin when I had PCP but after about 2 weeks my hands and feet itched and stung so much I changed to something else (cant remember what it was called, oh DAPSONE!, just came to me.) and I was on that till I got above 200.  I still have a persistant dry cough that gets me every now and then and I'm sure its from the PCP(which is long gone thank God!), a bit codeine helps tho  :o
« Last Edit: October 13, 2007, 02:57:42 pm by Gary »

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.