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Author Topic: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.  (Read 25145 times)

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Offline koi1

  • Member
  • Posts: 713
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #50 on: February 10, 2007, 08:14:55 pm »
Hey mi amigo,

Disculpa de llegar a tu anuncio un poco tarde, pero me alegro que hayas empesado tu tratamiento y que no te sientas tan mal. I am glad to be here for you, and am glad to have your support. You are going to be fine!
Suerte valiente!

rob
diagnosed on 11/20/06 viral load 23,000  cd4 97    8%
01/04/07 six weeks after diagnosis vl 53,000 cd4 cd4 70    6%
Began sustiva truvada 01/04/07
newest labs  drawn on 01/15/07  vl 1,100    cd4 119    7%
Drawn 02/10/07
cd4=160 viral load= 131 percentage= 8%
New labs 3/10/07 (two months on sustiva truvada
cd4 count 292  percentage 14 viral load undetectable

Offline AustinWesley

  • Member
  • Posts: 815
    • HIV Discussion Group on Myspace!
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #51 on: February 11, 2007, 12:58:01 am »
Hey Al,

You've been MIA and I just wanted to check up on ya.   We have not had any update since that pizza and I wanted to make sure you are alright?

Well, just thought I'd try once more before I went to bed cause I was thinking bout ya.

Wesley
Diag. 3/06  Infected aprx. 2 mo. Prior
Date        CD4   %      VL
4/6/06     627    32    36,500     NO MEDS YET!
6/7/06     409    27    36,100
8/23/06   408    25     22,300
1/2/07     354    23     28,700
2/9/07     139    30     23,000  Hep A Vaccine same day???
2/21/07   274    26     18,500 
3/3/07    RX of Truvada/Sustiva Started.
4/5/07    321     27      Undectable 1st mo.  
5/16/07  383     28    Undectable 2nd mo.
8/10/07  422     32   UD <48 on new scale!

Offline StrongGuy

  • Member
  • Posts: 492
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #52 on: February 11, 2007, 01:13:08 am »
I had mild nausea with kaletra but I learned how to manage it (bagels! - bland carbs always settle my stomach).

I'd just tell myself the nausea was my body's way of saying WTF? Give it a few weeks for your body to adjust and see where you're at.

I bet you'll be in a routine - less stressed - and feeling much better by then...
"Get your medical advice from Doctors or medical professionals who you trust and know your history."

"Beware of the fortune teller doom and gloomers who seek to bring you down and are only looking for company, purpose and validation - not your best physical/mental interests."

"You know you all are saying that this is incurable. When the real thing you should be saying is it's not curable at the present time' because as we know, the great strides we've made in medicine." - Elizabeth Edwards

Offline Queen Tokelove

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  • Posts: 6,031
  • Smokey the Smurf
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #53 on: February 11, 2007, 02:15:28 am »
I'm glad you made it through your first night alright. I really have nothing to add because I am not on meds for hiv yet. Maybe some crackers and ginger ale for the upset tummy. I'm sure it's a side effect that will eventually go away. Hope you're feeling better.
Started Atripla/Ziagen on 9/13/07.
10/31/07 CD4-265 VL- undetectable
2/6/08 CD4- 401 VL- undetectable
5/7/08 CD4- 705 VL- undetectable
6/4/08 CD4- 775 VL- undetectable
8/6/08 CD4- 805 VL- undetectable
11/13/08 CD4- 774 VL--undetectable
2/4/09  CD4- 484  VL- 18,000 (2 months off meds)
3/3/09---Starting Back on Meds---
4/27/09 CD4- 664 VL-- undetectable
6/17/09 CD4- 438 VL- 439
8/09 CD4- 404 VL- 1,600
01-22-10-- CD4- 525 VL- 59,000
Cherish the simple things life has to offer

Offline DanielMark

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,475
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #54 on: February 11, 2007, 04:48:38 am »
After eating some pizza and chicken i feel nausea and a big headache.

Al,

Perhaps a touch of mild food poisoning? If the headache and nausea persist, you might want to have yourself checked. Best case scenario, you're over them today.

Daniel
« Last Edit: February 11, 2007, 04:50:43 am by DanielMark »
MEDS: REYATAZ & KIVEXA (SINCE AUG 2008)

MAY 2000 LAB RESULTS: CD4 678
VL STILL UNDETECTABLE

DIAGNOSED IN 1988

Offline heartforyou

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,132
  • I must be a survivor in many ways...
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #55 on: February 11, 2007, 05:19:36 am »
Al,

It may be of little consolation to you. But when we only had AZT, back in the early nineties, I was nauseated ALL DAY LONG for over a year.
I remember I had to watch TV, get really involved in the plot of a movie and then stuff some food inside of me.
That was the only way to eat.....
Not to talk about the terrible musclepain AZT caused....

Knowing that none of the actual regimes is that harsh on you may ease your mind..

keep posting and drink a lot of water.

Hermie
Infected 1983. Diagnosed in 1987 and still kicking
Dovato once daily. Hydrea

Happiness is the freedom of breathing fresh air every day.

Offline Ihavehope

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,366
  • Yes, I'm a cry baby, AND WHAT?
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #56 on: February 11, 2007, 11:24:53 am »
good morning sexy peoples

I woke up and feel pretty good. no nausea or diahrea(crossing my fingers) and the nausea for the pizza and chicken was because it was damn greasy and would have happened anyway. lolz. I feel pretty good. I slept last night like a baby and did not wake up once. WOW, I have not slept this good since October. I really hope things don't go downhill from here if things only improve from here on then I had almost no side effects. I think a positive attitude helps ALOT. Last night (day 2) I took them at the same time and felt my body real warm from my feet to my stomach and closed my eyes and went to bed early and said ok meds "i am gonna close my eyes now and go to bed and you do what you have to do, kill the muthafucking virus and kill it good" and didn't wake up till 8:30am. YAY!!!!!!!!!! I woke up and went to the potty and I actually had a nice looking poo. We'll see how it goes. But for those who are thinking about meds, don't worry so much.
Infected: April 2005
12/6/06 - Diagnosed HIV positive
12/19/06 - CD4 = 240  22% VL = 26,300
1/4/07 - CD4 = 200 16% VL = ?
2/9/07 = Started Kaletra/Truvada
3/13/07 = CD4 = 386 22% VL ?

Offline AustinWesley

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  • Posts: 815
    • HIV Discussion Group on Myspace!
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #57 on: February 11, 2007, 12:06:00 pm »
LOL,

Glad to hear your good news.   You whole tone sounds better too and I hope the worst of it is over for ya.

Wesley
Diag. 3/06  Infected aprx. 2 mo. Prior
Date        CD4   %      VL
4/6/06     627    32    36,500     NO MEDS YET!
6/7/06     409    27    36,100
8/23/06   408    25     22,300
1/2/07     354    23     28,700
2/9/07     139    30     23,000  Hep A Vaccine same day???
2/21/07   274    26     18,500 
3/3/07    RX of Truvada/Sustiva Started.
4/5/07    321     27      Undectable 1st mo.  
5/16/07  383     28    Undectable 2nd mo.
8/10/07  422     32   UD <48 on new scale!

Offline Queen Tokelove

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,031
  • Smokey the Smurf
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #58 on: February 11, 2007, 04:06:29 pm »
I'm glad things are working out with the meds. Since you are being so descriptive on your poo, I have actually developed a visual....Thanks for that!.... :P
Started Atripla/Ziagen on 9/13/07.
10/31/07 CD4-265 VL- undetectable
2/6/08 CD4- 401 VL- undetectable
5/7/08 CD4- 705 VL- undetectable
6/4/08 CD4- 775 VL- undetectable
8/6/08 CD4- 805 VL- undetectable
11/13/08 CD4- 774 VL--undetectable
2/4/09  CD4- 484  VL- 18,000 (2 months off meds)
3/3/09---Starting Back on Meds---
4/27/09 CD4- 664 VL-- undetectable
6/17/09 CD4- 438 VL- 439
8/09 CD4- 404 VL- 1,600
01-22-10-- CD4- 525 VL- 59,000
Cherish the simple things life has to offer

Offline dtwpuck

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,013
  • дано мне тело, что мне делать с ним?
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #59 on: February 11, 2007, 05:27:11 pm »
good morning sexy peoples

.... and I actually had a nice looking poo.

I am still amazed at the transition from "sexy peoples" to "nice looking poo"

Seriously, glad you are doing well.  :-) 
Floating through the void in the caress of two giant pink lobsters named Esmerelda and Keith.

Offline morethanpoz28

  • Member
  • Posts: 29
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #60 on: February 12, 2007, 09:21:23 pm »
Hi,

i am new to the forum.  Posted for the first time earlier today.  I have been reading your posts and wanted to ask how you were doing.  Sending positive wishes and all the best.

Lisa (morethanpoz28)
Diagnosed 1/16/07
1st Lab 1/18/07 CD4 443; 37%; VL 660
2nd Lab 4/3/07 CD4 306; 28%; VL 1300
Retest 4/16/07 CD4 425; ?%; VL ?

Offline Ihavehope

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,366
  • Yes, I'm a cry baby, AND WHAT?
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #61 on: February 12, 2007, 09:31:52 pm »
Hi Lisa

Thanks for your good wishes.

So far I am doing well. The only minor side effect I have had in these past three days is a bit of nausea but it goes away quickly. I hope things continue to be good and better.

Welcome to the website.

Al
Infected: April 2005
12/6/06 - Diagnosed HIV positive
12/19/06 - CD4 = 240  22% VL = 26,300
1/4/07 - CD4 = 200 16% VL = ?
2/9/07 = Started Kaletra/Truvada
3/13/07 = CD4 = 386 22% VL ?

Offline koi1

  • Member
  • Posts: 713
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #62 on: February 12, 2007, 09:36:34 pm »
Hey Al,

Glad to hear you are doin' well (as well as well is for us). Keep on truckin' and don't let life bring ya down. You can always take a vacation in Sunny CA if ya want to visit (although we had some rain today).

rob
diagnosed on 11/20/06 viral load 23,000  cd4 97    8%
01/04/07 six weeks after diagnosis vl 53,000 cd4 cd4 70    6%
Began sustiva truvada 01/04/07
newest labs  drawn on 01/15/07  vl 1,100    cd4 119    7%
Drawn 02/10/07
cd4=160 viral load= 131 percentage= 8%
New labs 3/10/07 (two months on sustiva truvada
cd4 count 292  percentage 14 viral load undetectable

Offline marc11864

  • Member
  • Posts: 440
  • I apologize for nothing!
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #63 on: February 12, 2007, 11:47:13 pm »
You know Al, it took me over a year to get used to taking these things. I'd look at all five pills + my strattera for ADD and loperamide for the diarhea that I experienced and it was all I could do to force it into my mouth.

But you know, I finally realized that I was building an obstacle in my head to continuing my meds. So I talked to another HIV positive friend of mine about how he takes his meds and that helped me to relinquish that "spell of misery and sorrow" I was putting on myself. Next I also figured out that... DAMNIT, I HATE WATER!!!! I know were supposed to have 8 glasses a day, etc, but I was raised on Coca Cola, Hawaiian Punch and the like and forcing myself to drink a full glass of water with these unnatural beasties was just as unnatural to me. So i switched and now take them with juice or some other flavored drink.

All of this has made me much more cool with taking my meds and being adherent at least the target 95%.

Basically, just make it become a more natural thing for yourself to do every day. make it part of your daily "routine". Hang in there, ya just gotsta get used to it! :)

« Last Edit: February 13, 2007, 10:32:09 am by marc11864 »
Let us cavort like the Greeks of old! You know the ones I mean.

Offline FiercenBed

  • Member
  • Posts: 183
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #64 on: February 17, 2007, 04:59:22 pm »
i know im gonna get in trouble for this....but i vote for weed. would have never made it w/out it!

Offline Ihavehope

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,366
  • Yes, I'm a cry baby, AND WHAT?
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #65 on: February 17, 2007, 05:05:55 pm »
lol. i hear ya.
Infected: April 2005
12/6/06 - Diagnosed HIV positive
12/19/06 - CD4 = 240  22% VL = 26,300
1/4/07 - CD4 = 200 16% VL = ?
2/9/07 = Started Kaletra/Truvada
3/13/07 = CD4 = 386 22% VL ?

Offline lifechanging2007

  • Member
  • Posts: 29
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #66 on: February 17, 2007, 06:23:06 pm »
hey al,

it's weird how human minds think and react to things that happens in their lives.
20 days ago i was browsing the UAE gaydar page to find the hottest and most suitable guy to hook up with. 20 days later here I am browsing and reading stories of people "like me" having something different, having a BURDEN OR A SECRET for the rest of their earthy lives.
There are so many common things between you and me. first we both have the same age and from what i read we are both crying babies  ;D . I always considered myself as a baby, and i always managed to make people around me happy.
the way you right is the way you live FREE
I am happy you didn't have any side effects. and i will let you know when the time will come i will be holding those pills in one hand and saying goodbye to my normal life.
Be strong, be wise and welcome to the MANLY land. and keep smiling because from what i am seeing in the pic you have a nice smile  :-*
lifechanging2007@hotmail.com
 
27/01/07 CD4=15.36%=245 VL=542000
14/03/07 CD4=13%=241 VL=858000    STARTED COMBIVIR AND SUSTIVA ON APRIL 27, 2007
05/09/07 CD4=22%=361  VL=undetectable
21/12/07 CD4=22%=451  VL=undetectable

The greatest adventure is what lies ahead
Today and tomorrow are yet to be said
The chances, the changes, are all yours to make
The mold of your life is in your hands to break.

Offline Longislander

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,489
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #67 on: February 17, 2007, 06:35:40 pm »
HI Al, I've been thinking about you and how you were doing while I was away. I'm happy to see you're doing ok. Fight those f**ckers!

me
« Last Edit: February 17, 2007, 08:33:39 pm by Longislander »
infected 10/05 diagnosed 12-05
2/06   379/57000                    6/07 372/30500 25%   4/09 640/U/32% 
5/06   ?? /37000                     8/07 491/55000/24%    9/09 913/U/39%
8/06   349/9500 25%              11/07 515/68000/24     2/10 845/U/38%
9/06   507/16,000 30% !          2/08  516/116k/22%    7/10 906/80/39%
12/06 398/29000 26%             Start Atripla 3/08
3/07   402/80,000 29%            4/08  485/undet!/27
4/07   507/35,000 25%            7/08 625/UD/34%
                                                 11/08 684/U/36%

Offline Ihavehope

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,366
  • Yes, I'm a cry baby, AND WHAT?
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #68 on: February 17, 2007, 06:36:32 pm »
hey al,

it's weird how human minds think and react to things that happens in their lives.
20 days ago i was browsing the UAE gaydar page to find the hottest and most suitable guy to hook up with. 20 days later here I am browsing and reading stories of people "like me" having something different, having a BURDEN OR A SECRET for the rest of their earthy lives.
There are so many common things between you and me. first we both have the same age and from what i read we are both crying babies  ;D . I always considered myself as a baby, and i always managed to make people around me happy.
the way you right is the way you live FREE
I am happy you didn't have any side effects. and i will let you know when the time will come i will be holding those pills in one hand and saying goodbye to my normal life.
Be strong, be wise and welcome to the MANLY land. and keep smiling because from what i am seeing in the pic you have a nice smile  :-*
lifechanging2007@hotmail.com
 

Hey fellow cry baby

Thanks for reading the thread. Yes I am the biggest wimp in New York but I cover it up very well. Starting meds is a big step, something that you can not turn back to but it will save your life when you need it. Having a CD4 count of 200 and if there were no meds available like the situation in 80's I would probably not expect alive in the next couple of years or less. Thankfully, it's a bittersweet situation, we have good medications that supress the virus but we need to take them for the rest of our lives. I was soooo scared to start meds because of all the things I read online and to be honest I am still scared but since I been on meds for one week and have had no side effects I can tell you that the beginning went better than expected. I am still not singing and dancing and eating sushi and celebrating with a Martini glass my victory but I am confident that it won't be so bad. I was hoping to be on sustiva to have them vivid dreams and feel like I am high but I guess things happen 4 a reason. So if you need to take meds soon try to stay focus on the positive effects of the drugs and keep to a minimum your fears.
Infected: April 2005
12/6/06 - Diagnosed HIV positive
12/19/06 - CD4 = 240  22% VL = 26,300
1/4/07 - CD4 = 200 16% VL = ?
2/9/07 = Started Kaletra/Truvada
3/13/07 = CD4 = 386 22% VL ?

Offline Miss Philicia

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  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #69 on: February 17, 2007, 06:41:05 pm »
See?  I've said this before, this is one of the problems with HIV and the internet combination.  People will (naturally) tend to post their negatives, less so with their positives or lack of side effects... or just that they were fairly minimal.  We all gravitate to the horror stories.

So you've not even had to pop immodiums at all?  That's good.  I was taking 10/day when I was on Kaletra, but then I'm the human diarrhea factory.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Ihavehope

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,366
  • Yes, I'm a cry baby, AND WHAT?
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #70 on: February 17, 2007, 07:11:15 pm »
See?  I've said this before, this is one of the problems with HIV and the internet combination.  People will (naturally) tend to post their negatives, less so with their positives or lack of side effects... or just that they were fairly minimal.  We all gravitate to the horror stories.

So you've not even had to pop immodiums at all?  That's good.  I was taking 10/day when I was on Kaletra, but then I'm the human diarrhea factory.

Hey Philly

Yes, I was pushing my doc to give me the darn precription so I could start the medication. For being a wimp I admire myself sometimes because when it comes to making serious decisions or fighting I can be a lion. My doc thought I was being sarcastic but I told her that if I already had an AIDS diagnosis then I have nothing to wait for and I wanted to start NOW.lolz.

My doc then told me "You are the first person I know who wants his prescription now" "You realize there may be side-effects to the meds that can alter your daily routines right? You realize that you have to be on meds for the rest of your life and once you start you can't stop" I told her yes to all and then I told her "You know if you don't give me my prescription soon I will have a nervous breakdown and end up in the hospital" I feared the PCP and OI's than the side effects of the meds. So anway I only suffered from diahrea on the fourth day and it went away. My bowl is a little softer than normal but it isn't diahrea.

I don't fast-food nor at reastaurants and cook my own food fully cooked because I don't trust anyone and left the alcohol in October completely. I am not contributing my success to this but I am sure it is helping just a little. I wouldn't be surprise thought if my cholesterol goes up in my labs because I have been eating alot. I think Nutrition plays an important part in the way your body handle toxicity. Anyway I encourage those people who are doing well on meds with minimum side-effects to write their experiences on the website. Most of the threads I read about meds were negative comments so I was full of fears about it all, but everyone is different. Things can change this week and I can be on Imodium as well but so far the first week has been uneventful. I was more afraid of the diahrea because the nurse told me that those taking kaletra once a day had a 56% chance from suffering from diahrea than those taking the pills twice a day (32%). I drink only water and once in a while some juice. I also make sure I don't have stress and sleep my 8-10 hours.Those of the newbies and those thinking of starting meds need positive experiences so I hope no one takes my thread as me trying to make anyone feel bad if they suffered horrific experiences. I too have had my share of bad news so not all of my HIV experience has been a walk in the park and I have many many years to see what these meds will do to me but so far so good. I hope it stays this way. Good luck to those who are starting soon.
Infected: April 2005
12/6/06 - Diagnosed HIV positive
12/19/06 - CD4 = 240  22% VL = 26,300
1/4/07 - CD4 = 200 16% VL = ?
2/9/07 = Started Kaletra/Truvada
3/13/07 = CD4 = 386 22% VL ?

Offline RevMC

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    • Psychic AwakeningSchool.com
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #71 on: February 18, 2007, 08:45:03 pm »
Hi Al,

I know how you feel.  I tried meds many, many years ago and tried them for a short time 10 years ago, now I'm on them again.  I know, I know why the gaps?

It seems like my body is able to keep the HIV in check.  Though I've been borderline full blown for almost 19 yrs my counts haven't fluctuated much.

I just decided to go on meds again, knowing that this time I'm staying on them.  After all these years, dealing with friends taking meds and such, seeing my lover of 10 years getting sick a short time after taking his meds.  It scared the hell out of me that I'm going on them again.

I learned one thing many, many years ago DO NOT LOOK AT THE SIDE EFFECTS ON THE PAPER BEFORE TAKING THE MEDS!  It can create a psychological problem since every ache, pain or something as routine as sneezing will make you think you are having a problem.  THEN if you think you may be having a problem, tell it to your nurse or a friend and have that friend look over the side effects on the patient information leaflet.

Unfortunately for me, I knew what most of the side effects were for the meds I just started this past Friday (2/16/07) since Louie's been on so many of them.

I too just wanted to cry when I first took them.  I take them about an hour before going to bed so if I get nauseas it'll happen at night instead of when I'm at the hairsalon working on a customer.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Part of my story: "Sale Of A Lifetime" POZ December 2003
https://www.poz.com/article/Sale-of-a-Lifetime-752-6797

Started on Truvada and Viramune on 2/15/07

Jan 8, 2007   t-cells 215  Viral Load 10,000  24%
March 26'th  T-cells 306   Viral Load  UNDETECTABLE
June 2007 t-cells 375 Viral Load UNDETECTABLE
August 2007 t-cells 290 Viral Load UNDETECTABLE



Love and Light and Reiki sent your way,
Rev. Michae

Offline SouthSam7

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  • Posts: 428
Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #72 on: February 18, 2007, 09:35:46 pm »
I remember (only a year ago) when my clinic gave me the prescriptions for my meds.  I got them filled and then called the clinic back to make sure I was supposed to start taking them.  I guess I was in denial. 

By the way, don't worry about the Bactrim; they'll take you off of it when your cd4 cells go up.  You're lucky - I have to take my meds TWICE a day!

Sam

Offline Rainbow1

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Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #73 on: February 19, 2007, 04:22:22 am »
it's good to hear your doing well on your meds. I am not that new here but i dont post often, thanks for all your post and keep up the good attitude.

Offline AustinWesley

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Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #74 on: February 19, 2007, 11:44:44 am »
Hey Philly

Yes, I was pushing my doc to give me the darn precription so I could start the medication. For being a wimp I admire myself sometimes because when it comes to making serious decisions or fighting I can be a lion. My doc thought I was being sarcastic but I told her that if I already had an AIDS diagnosis then I have nothing to wait for and I wanted to start NOW.lolz.

My doc then told me "You are the first person I know who wants his prescription now" "You realize there may be side-effects to the meds that can alter your daily routines right? You realize that you have to be on meds for the rest of your life and once you start you can't stop" I told her yes to all and then I told her "You know if you don't give me my prescription soon I will have a nervous breakdown and end up in the hospital" I feared the PCP and OI's than the side effects of the meds. So anway I only suffered from diahrea on the fourth day and it went away. My bowl is a little softer than normal but it isn't diahrea.

I don't fast-food nor at reastaurants and cook my own food fully cooked because I don't trust anyone and left the alcohol in October completely. I am not contributing my success to this but I am sure it is helping just a little. I wouldn't be surprise thought if my cholesterol goes up in my labs because I have been eating alot. I think Nutrition plays an important part in the way your body handle toxicity. Anyway I encourage those people who are doing well on meds with minimum side-effects to write their experiences on the website. Most of the threads I read about meds were negative comments so I was full of fears about it all, but everyone is different. Things can change this week and I can be on Imodium as well but so far the first week has been uneventful. I was more afraid of the diahrea because the nurse told me that those taking kaletra once a day had a 56% chance from suffering from diahrea than those taking the pills twice a day (32%). I drink only water and once in a while some juice. I also make sure I don't have stress and sleep my 8-10 hours.Those of the newbies and those thinking of starting meds need positive experiences so I hope no one takes my thread as me trying to make anyone feel bad if they suffered horrific experiences. I too have had my share of bad news so not all of my HIV experience has been a walk in the park and I have many many years to see what these meds will do to me but so far so good. I hope it stays this way. Good luck to those who are starting soon.

Hey Al and Philly,

This commentary is so true.   My gut feeling is the VAST majority of those on meds don't come here to share their positive experiences as well.    Great Point.    With over 1 million in the US, there are only 5000 on here so I don't think there is an accurate representation from those who have no side effects at all.   

On a personal note I've been all anxious and haven't even called my doctor yet today because I fear the bad news and now will be facing my own prescription.   I wish more would share the good news as well.   

Thanks Al for continuing to update on your experiences.

I'm calling to find out now, so glad I read this.

Wesley
Diag. 3/06  Infected aprx. 2 mo. Prior
Date        CD4   %      VL
4/6/06     627    32    36,500     NO MEDS YET!
6/7/06     409    27    36,100
8/23/06   408    25     22,300
1/2/07     354    23     28,700
2/9/07     139    30     23,000  Hep A Vaccine same day???
2/21/07   274    26     18,500 
3/3/07    RX of Truvada/Sustiva Started.
4/5/07    321     27      Undectable 1st mo.  
5/16/07  383     28    Undectable 2nd mo.
8/10/07  422     32   UD <48 on new scale!

Offline fondeveau

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Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #75 on: February 19, 2007, 12:30:36 pm »
My doc then told me "You are the first person I know who wants his prescription now"

I've read a lot of posts about the horrors some people experienced with early regimens, etc. and can understand that where an individual has a bad reaction to one medicine, they may be hesitant to try another.  But, I'm still amazed how pervasive the avoiding meds mentality is. 

I'm gonna see my ID specialist tomorrow and will ask more about why his recommendation for me was to start right then.  I was in the "offer treatment" range with CD4 385 and VL 30k, but I never really considered NOT starting meds at any time.  I was actually somewhat frustrated that all the bloodwork took weeks to process, etc.

Offline Ihavehope

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Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #76 on: February 21, 2007, 10:15:40 am »
I had the runs last night. It was scary since I never had them b4. I did eat alot of spicy food and fresh cheese along with a ham sandwich maybe it was that. I am surprised that I had the runs 10 days after I started. It was a sad day last night.
Infected: April 2005
12/6/06 - Diagnosed HIV positive
12/19/06 - CD4 = 240  22% VL = 26,300
1/4/07 - CD4 = 200 16% VL = ?
2/9/07 = Started Kaletra/Truvada
3/13/07 = CD4 = 386 22% VL ?

Offline fondeveau

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Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #77 on: February 21, 2007, 11:08:25 am »
You should definitely avoid very spicy foods.  Try a yogurt everday.

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #78 on: February 21, 2007, 11:47:00 am »
Diet is pretty important with the meds. Really fatty or spicy foods can trigger the nasties.

I really do envy those with zero/diminishing side effects. just like the lipo situation is more or less luck of the genetic draw, so are the side effects and efficacy ofthe meds. All my drug regimen have pounded my virus down instantly, and boosted CD4 count remarkably. But they have also made me bedridden with fevers, chills, constant diarrhea, and the distinct desire to stop breating.

For some of us, these things are just too freaking toxic - and it's not like I am some frail flower to start with. People who suffer few or no side effects, who achieve optimal results, should consider themselves quite fortunate.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

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Offline Boo Radley

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Re: Starting meds tonight, it's harder than I imagined.
« Reply #79 on: February 21, 2007, 01:45:21 pm »
For some of us, these things are just too freaking toxic - and it's not like I am some frail flower to start with. People who suffer few or no side effects, who achieve optimal results, should consider themselves quite fortunate.

Jonathan, believe me, I know I am quite fortunate and I'm truly humbled by my good luck. I wish everyone were as lucky as I have been.

One of the worst aspects of belonging to a "group" like ours is some, like me, sail along with no problems and others, like you, have had nothing but problems.  Life is unfair in general but adding HIV makes it downright cruel for too many.  I hope emerging therapies hold promise for you but know your health is and has been precarious for too long.  You needed a new treatment long before now.   I truly hope there is a magic bullet in your future.

Boo
String up every aristocrat!
Out with the priests and let them live on their fat!





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