Help Please. Horrible first lab results.

[maxmarco]

BTW doc also said taking Zitromax/Azitromicin was overkill, just as avoiding the metro is, but to go ahead and finish my 1 month supply.

[mecch]

Ok wow great.
You mentioned the viagra contraindication -
If that is really a factor - does it also hold true for the other ED molecules?

I have found that nobody knows much about tadalafil.  Its not supposed to be contraindicated with my last two antiviral combos but its stopped working completely, no effect, with isentress truvada.  3 doctors say there is no known contraindication and that may be so, but how about "simply doesn't work"

I like tadalafil and don't like viagra.  On one of my last combos, viagra didnt work. But tadalafil did.  Now on isentress, viagra works again.  I still don't like the eye/sinus pressure it gives, but yeah it works.

[Almost2late]

BTW doc also said taking Zitromax/Azitromicin was overkill, just as avoiding the metro is, but to go ahead and finish my 1 month supply.

Don't understand why your Doc would say that about you Azithromycin when you clearly have under 100 cd4's, although your very close.. My ID doc wouldn't let me get off until my cd4's were over 100 for 3 consecutive test... Good luck

[maxmarco]

Thanks Almost2late. Will keep that in mind. Will see the doctor again and get new numbers before supply runs out. Could be related to my CD4 percentage being 11%. He said that was very good.

Agree with you mecch re viagra/sildenafil vs cialis/tadalafil. Cialis lasts for longer, and doesn't give me headaches. But generic viagra is crazy cheap in many developing countries; meanwhile, I have never found generic cialis.

The Stribild labelling says:
" Use of PDE-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction:
Sildenafil at a single dose not exceeding 25 mg in 48 hours ... or tadalafil at a single dose not exceeding 10 mg in 72 hours can be used with increased monitoring for PDE-5 inhibitor associated with adverse events."

I forgot to bring viagra up to the doctor. Also forgot to mention adderall. I've been off for a year but should restart once I get a job. No mention whatsoever of amphetamines or related in either Complera or Stribild, so that should be fine.

[mecch]

There was a good supply of indian cialis for several years in Switzerland, cheap like good indian viagra, but neither generic nor brand cialis works for me anymore so I can't tell you the recent reliable Indian brands.   

[maxmarco]

Sorry about that mecch. Didn't know those pills could stop having effect. Remember when I discovered viagra, what a great day.

I just had a funny episode of extreme chills followed by cold and sweating under the blankets. Came out of nowhere and left me with a slight fever. This is new for me. Lasted a couple of hours. Also felt a little pain on the lower right side of my torso. Based on this decided to talk to the doctor tomorrow before getting started on Stribild. Heck, what do I know, maybe that pain on my side was my liver or kidney. Lets hope its no biggie.

[Tonny2]

       ojo     " hot flahes" my friend lol...check with your doc....I just to get this night sweats and chills, doctor just to tell me, "you might have gotten a bug o virus, you'll be ok"...and I was, so, call the doctor, keep taking your Bactrim, Azithromicine, start as soon as possible your stribid, and voila, your "hot flashes" will go away. that was my case, I hope you feel better soon....hugs         ojo

[zach]

max, for what its worth... i'm no doctor, but i have taken a med that is related to complera. i had major CNS side effects, suicidal ideation like you can't imagine.

give stribild some serious thought. you've shown a history of depression and have hinted that you've already had thoughts of suicide. those are huge red flags contraindicating the use of sustiva (efavirenz)

also, when you get the bottle in hand. consider waiting a couple weeks to begin. once you've started, you're committed. waiting to begin, and then refilling normally, will give you a small stockpile. that may not seem important now, but trust this, there will come a day when for whatever reason you can't refill on time and are faced with some period of days off meds (not a good place to be)

just a thought

[maxmarco]

Thanks zach. I just ordered Stribild. Will be ready in 30mins. I am now worried about the choice due it supposedly being harder on the liver than Complera. I have a slight tinge on my urine since, and slight pains in the liver area, like pinches on the surface, both since last night. Maybe its psychosomatic. I could not reach the doctor. Not in the office today. Once I start on Stribild I will ideally need to be on it until I become UD. Again a flip of the coin situation. Wait to talk to the doctor, or start tonight ... foresee much coin flipping in the times ahead.

[zach]

every little ache and pain, is mostly just normal part of life. you'll still get a cold, headache, stomachache, all that ails a human body. 99% has nothing to do with hiv..

you did said one thing that i want to clarify.

Once I start on Stribild I will ideally need to be on it until I become UD.

ideally? seriously max, barring major medical science advancements, you're on meds for the rest of your natural born life. it may not always be the first med you're prescribed, and a med change is no big deal.

don't sweat things man, you're on the right track, just let things roll

[mecch]

Thanks zach. I just ordered Stribild. Will be ready in 30mins. I am now worried about the choice due it supposedly being harder on the liver than Complera. I have a slight tinge on my urine since, and slight pains in the liver area, like pinches on the surface, both since last night. Maybe its psychosomatic. I could not reach the doctor. Not in the office today. Once I start on Stribild I will ideally need to be on it until I become UD. Again a flip of the coin situation. Wait to talk to the doctor, or start tonight ... foresee much coin flipping in the times ahead.

Psychosomatic.
Flipping unnecessary.
Take your dose and wait and see.

[maxmarco]

Thanks guys. By "Once I start on Stribild I will ideally need to be on it until I become UD" I meant no switching meds before UD, so if Stribild gives me headaches, too bad.

Think I am allergic to Bactrim,

Yesterday evening I started feeling chills, within 1.5hr chills had turned into a fever with 103F / 39.5C, which then lasted for 1.5hr at full strength and started to subside. Four hours after the chills had started I was feeling fine again. Woke up this morning with normal temp at 97F / 36C. Almost exactly as the day before, and at the same times. Chills started 4 hours after taking the Bactrim.

Very interesting. And I just read here (http://www.aidsmap.com/Septrin-cotrimoxazole/page/1044766) that allergic reactions "usually occurs during the second week of taking the drug". What a coincidence. Its been 12 days in my case. Anyway, will let doc know and follow whatever instructions I get.

[maxmarco]

Ready to start Stribild today. We could close this thread. I'll start a new thread with my log in the living with HIV section.