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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: blondbeauty on August 24, 2006, 05:22:57 pm

Title: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: blondbeauty on August 24, 2006, 05:22:57 pm
I am starting this thread to help all those forums members that will be starting meds soon and are afraid of doing so.
I started taking Sustiva and Truvada the 14th of August.
My first night was a bit tough. It didnīt affect sleep, in fact I am sleeping better that in the last 4 or 5 years. But one hour and 10 minutes after my first dose I couldnīt walk on a straight line. I was bouncing against the walls of the corridor to my bedroom and fell asleep in a deep "coma". My breath was deep and slow and could hardly feel my body when I touched it. But I have to recognize I didn`t take them on an empty stomach. I had just eaten a sandwich of "chorizo". Very similar to salami and very greasy...
The second night was better and the third one I could hardly feel anything except the deep and slow breath. Now all those things are gone. I sleep deeply but the rate of my breath is normal. I only have a vague sensation of dizziness some nights.
I have been working hard these days and waking up early in the morning: 8 am, 5 am...till late at night and I feel normal all the time. I have just arrived from a flight...
I have more energy than before, Maybe the virus was consuming me and I didnīt notice it.
My lymph nodes in my armpits are still there but much smaller. It is hard to find them now.
A few days ago I stayed awake till 3.00 am (and I take my meds at 23.30). By that time I was hungry again and ate a yogurt and a "nesquick" (milk with chocolate) and had no side effects at all...
I know everybody has different reactions and I donīt want to encourage people to start meds if they donīt need to. But at least I want you to feel better about taking them.
 And please donīt be scared to do so.
The enemy is the virus. Not the meds.
No diarrhea. No stomach problems!
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: Eldon on August 24, 2006, 05:59:27 pm
Hello Juan, it is Eldon. It is good to hear that things are going well for you. Remember to keep a good diet, drink plenty of fluids, excercise, and get plenty of rest.
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: texasguy on August 24, 2006, 06:02:08 pm
Thanks for updating us Juan.  And so glad to hear that you are doing well!  I'm going to wait until my next labs and see.  I'm only 9 months into infection and don't think my numbers have settled down yet ....

Terry W
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: Life on August 24, 2006, 07:37:12 pm
Did you get your kewl Rainbow Pill Box yet???   ;D
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: Blixer on August 24, 2006, 11:15:42 pm
Thanks for sharing Juan.  I think it is good for everyone to hear that the meds are our friends and not something to be scared of.  I know it is intimidating when you think about starting and don't know what your reaction will be.  Sometimes it takes a bit to get used to.  But given some time, things return to near normal.  I'm back to working up to 60 hours a week and doing anything I want to.  I take my sustiva and the rest of my meds at 6 AM and just go on with my day. Thanks again for sharing.
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: chart420835 on August 24, 2006, 11:36:28 pm
can u guys tell me about what will happen if u do the treatment ? i can side effect..
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: southmetro on August 25, 2006, 12:12:53 am
I waited almost 2 1/2 years before starting meds. Been about 4 months now. I wouldn't ever remember if not for my wrist watch that goes off every night at 11pm, No real problems either... no big deal to wait... no big deal to take the either.
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: chart420835 on August 25, 2006, 12:17:09 am
thanks for info
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: Jacques on August 25, 2006, 01:10:34 am
Hi Blondbeauty

I'am very glad to see that your doing fine with your treatment. But please come back after ten years on meds and tell us how you're doing.

Jacques
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: chemistry001 on August 25, 2006, 03:25:03 am
Thanks Blondbeauty,

As someone who is due to start on Meds next week it is always good to get sage advice, it's easy to think that the meds aren't our friends as the side effects can sometimes detract from the purpose of the meds. For weeks all I've done is worry about the side effects and haven't focused on the fact that i will get better and hopefully back to a state where i have high energy levels good concentration and a more positive out look on life.

Paul (trying to stay focused)
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: tendai on August 25, 2006, 04:47:59 am
blonde u always were straining at the leash to get at the meds and i am glad  you are handling the whole thing so well :-*
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: blondbeauty on August 25, 2006, 06:53:29 am
I realize this is a long term thing and it is very early to say I am doing well on this combo. Lets see what happens on my next blood tests and on the following years. Will I have resistance? Are the meds working? Will I have liver or kidney failure?
No Eric, I didnīt get the rainbow pillbox. I have many more but will get one of those on my next order!
Some people are asking me why did I start meds so "early".
Well, I just wanted to face the side effects of meds with a healthy immune system and have just one concern at a time, than probably finding myself with the weakness of a low cd count and the side effects to deal with at the same time.
I thought the Dr. would say NO. I believed Social Security delayed treatment till cd4 dropped to 350 to save money. My meds cost to the state 822 euros a month. But reading Spanish protocols it said: "treatment CAN be delayed till cd4 counts drop to 350..." Not SHOULD or MUST...
My two last viral loads had been 100.000 and 80.000 so a major drop in cd4 was possible at anytime and I didnīt want to take the risk.
These were my reasons to start.  ???
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: David_CA on August 25, 2006, 08:29:33 am
Hi Juan,

Thanks for posting the update.  My ID Dr. wants to talk to me about starting treatment at my next appointment in October.  Most likely, it'll be the same combo (or Atripla) you're on.  I know the effects vary from person to person, but it's nice to hear from those who DON'T have bad reactions and side effects to the meds. 

This is a long-term thing, but starting out handling the meds well is surely a good sign.  Keep us informed and take care.

David
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: wellington on August 25, 2006, 11:13:31 am
Yeah. Gotta watch those greasy midnight snacks! Pizza is also a good pill-chaser. :D  It made me a bit wobbly, but by no means was it unpleasant or dangerous. Bed was only a few feet away and boy did I sleep soundly. ZzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZzzzzz.
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: TugaMan on August 26, 2006, 07:14:29 am
Hi!

Nice you're going OK on your combo.
I always have something to go with my pills... normally just one liquid yogurt. The doc once told me one of the components of Truvada needs some grease... and I do like to eat something before going to sleep. eheheh
Title: Re: My experience 10 days after starting meds. Donīt be affraid.
Post by: browardflaguy on September 03, 2006, 09:05:16 am
Hello
  I've been reading some the comments, just trying to pick up on the conversations. This is my first effort to join the dialogue
  My impression is that this site reflects the issues and experiences of people significantly younger than myself.
    Being an older (60) gay man I haven't been able to find any information about the impact of meds on 'seniors' (probably not a sufficient statistical base). Most older (40+)  poz people seem to have lived with the situation for a long time and are only recently becoming a 'senior.' The question of how HIV meds impact our vital organs  seems to be centered on the relationship between long-term interactions and the natural process of aging.
    Soon, within a month,  I'll begin meds (probably Atripla) and appreciate hearing about a successful start for  Juan. Hopefully, my experience will be as positive and I'll certainly attempt to keep the great attitude exhibited by so many in these messages.