POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: logancircledc on January 19, 2012, 09:48:01 am
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I first tested poz in 1989; my guess is that I was infected in 1984. I took the old drugs for a couple of years in the early 90's and then stopped. I have been off meds since 1994. My counts are fine: CD4s between 550 and 900, and viral load from 0 to about 700. My doctor says that i am a viremic controller. Now, however, he wants me to think about starting the new meds -- complera. I just don't know what to do. i feel fine; my numbers are stable - slightly more viral load but nothing startling.
What do you think?
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Welcome first and formost.
Thinking myself into your position I am afraid no clear answer presents itself.I would have to hit the conference papers as I know there has been a steady stream off info suggesting starting at a higher CD4 count.
I would want to be 100% clear why my Doc is advising this move.
I would take the luxury off no medical rush to fully consider.
Keep in touch and again welcome
theyer
PS Have you ever had any HIV related health problems?
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Fortunately, i have had no HIV-related or other health problems. I would like to just keep doing what I'm doing, but, if taking complera is not a big deal, I can do it.
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Hi Logan,
From what you've told us your health and blood results seem to be very good. Only you can decide whether or not to medicate.
The newer treatments seem to be a lot easier than the older medications so that's a huge plus. On the minus side, you will remember what it's like having to make sure that you never run out of medications/ miss doses.
Whichever way you decide to go do keep up with regular monitoring and blood testing. I know from my own past mistakes that 'feeling well' is not a reliable indicator on how the immune system is responding.
Good luck and good health to you.
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Welcome Logan,
It's great that you're not having any health problems. I would Carefully check the ingredients of Complera; I think it contains tenofavir, and the current literature for side effects of these drugs. After I was on tenofavir for five years, studies came out that a small but significant percentage of patients on it get kidney problems and/or bone loss. What the heck? I have both; a little bone loss which is usually correctable. I have been off of tenofavir (Viread) for six months & my blood work still shows kidney damage. I'm going to a nephrologist next week to find out if it's permanent.
Remember, the new studies show that if you start meds when your CD4 count is 500, you are expected to live 20 years longer than if you started at a CD4 of 200. I wish I had known this 17 years ago when I started treatment. Hugs, Deibster