Wrong Med Dosing?

[MarkNTH]

I found this forum after doing a search about HIV meds.

I was talking to a couple of friends of mine who asked what meds I was on.  I told them I was taking Norvir 100mg once daily, Epzicom once daily and Lexiva 1400mg once daily.  I was told that Norvir and Lexiva should be taken twice daily.

They then pointed out that my CD4/CD8 percentage of 11% was NOT good and perhaps I should find a new doctor.  I have been POZ for 19 years, but didn't start meds until two and a half years ago.  At that point my ratio was 14%

I was hoping that someone might be able to give me some incite on the med thing before looking for another doctor.

I did not go on meds because I fell for the AIDS denialist thing.  I was amazed when I started meds (my friends asked me to) that my CD4 count went from 68 to 200 in one month and my VL was undetectable.  Because of the denialism thing I never kept up on meds, etc. and am confused.

Thanks, in advance and I hope you are all doing well.

Mark

[newt]

Hello

There are 3 FDA approved doses for Lexiva:

1. 1400mg twice daily,
2. 1400mg with 100mg or 200mg Norvir once daily, and
3. 700mg with 100mg Norvir twice daily.

Which one to use depends on your other HIV treatment history. Since the proof of effectiveness of a combination is reaching and sustaining an undetectable viral load, and your Lexiva dosing is #2 above, I see nothing wrong here.
     
I don't under stand what you mean by CD4/CD8 ratio being 11%. If you mean your CD4%, yes it's relatively low but I'd ignore this, there is nothing you can do about it really. Your absolute CD4 count being around 350-400 is highly protective from the risk of serious illness. I personally would see your treatment as a success so far.

- matt

[Ann]

Hi Mark, welcome to the forums.

I'm glad you found us - and I'm glad Matt responded to you regarding your meds. He's a veritable walking encyclopedia when it comes to hiv meds.

I also want to congratulate you for getting away from the denialists. They are dangerous people who have caused the unnecessary deaths of far too many people. I'm glad you weren't one of them.

Hugs,
Ann
xxx

[MarkNTH]

Thank you Matt and Ann.  Instead of getting all crazy about what people say I have decided to become more educated regarding HIV.  I do know this:  My T-Cell count got down to 68 and I had thrush for many years before that.  I started meds and I have never had thrush again and we see what happened with my T-Cells and VL.  How's that, Denialists?

These forums are awesome!

Mark

[Ann]

I do know this:  My T-Cell count got down to 68 and I had thrush for many years before that.  I started meds and I have never had thrush again and we see what happened with my T-Cells and VL.  How's that, Denialists?

Great results! And yeah, take that, you stupid, misguided, sorry-assed denialists!!! 

If you haven't already found them, you might like to read through our Lessons section. There's a wealth of information in there written in plain English. We also have a section listing and explaining all the hiv meds. Good stuff.

I'm really glad you found us. Here's to your steady improvement!