30 day results

[LordBerners]

It has been ages since I've posted, but I wanted to update.  I just had my blood drawn at 4 months into my new regimen of Reyetaz, Atanazavir, Tenofovir, and Norvir, but not all the results are in yet.

While in the office for this blood test I got the results of my last test - the one at 30 days into the regime (taken three months ago).  This showed that after 30 days I had dropped from 85,000 VL to about 1,700, and CD4s went from like 375 to 450.  I was concerned because I thought that 1,700 is not low enough after 30 days, and after my developing resistance to Sustiva/Truvada I am fearful.

So far from the current test (a week ago), the VL is not done yet, but the CD4 is up to about 550, and the nurse called me to tell me my bilirubin is quite high, but not to do anything about it yet (just warning me if I had any stomach pains or some other symptoms to call in).

So now I'm just waiting for the big one - the VL.  It should be undetectable.. if not, who knows.  The doc didn't seem very pleased with the 1,700 on the previous visit (I know I wasn't).

[Inchlingblue]

Atazanavir is the generic name for Reyataz so it sounds like you are on Reyataz/Norvir/Truvada, which is an excellent combination.

Not sure why you are concerned, to drop from 85,000 to 1,700 in 30 days is quite good. And the high bilirubin is a side effect of Reyataz but is not indicative of liver damage. You might get yellowing in the eyes and if you do, it should go away and not be permanent.

from aidsmeds.com:

Reyataz can increase levels of bilirubin, a pigment found in the liver. Increased bilirubin can cause the skin, nails, and the whites of the eyes to appear yellowish-brown. Increased bilirubin can also be a sign of liver damage. However, in people who have taken Reyataz in clinical trials, an increase in bilirubin has not been associated with any other signs of liver damage. Reyataz should not be combined with Crixivan, another protease inhibitor that can cause increased bilirubin levels.

[LordBerners]

Atazanavir is the generic name for Reyataz so it sounds like you are on Reyataz/Norvir/Truvada, which is an excellent combination.

Sorry, I should have known I would mess that up - what I'm on is:

Reyataz/Norvir/Tenofovir/Abacavir(Ziagen).   

So I missed the Abacavir.. I'm not on Truvada as I'm resistant to the other ingredient (emtricitabine), so I can only take the tenofovir.

[Inchlingblue]

It sounds like you're responding well. Other than the high bilirubin are you experiencing any side effects? A friend of mine is on a similar combo and he is doing very well: 500+ CD4s, undetectable and feels great.

Keep us posted when you get your next set of numbers.