Author Topic: Starting meds tonight (Read 7794 times)

Veritee · « **on:** April 20, 2008, 02:58:00 pm »

I am supposed to start meds tonight

Wish me luck
As I feel a bit like Gemini - I know logically I have to take them to survive, but feel like the meds are poison and do not want to put them in my body............and I am dead scared of side effects!!

Well just scared of everything really.

I am someone who just does not take medication of any kind, well only when absolutely necessary and then stop as soon as I possibly can.

So the thought of taking medication for the rest of my life is not going down well - worry that I will not get the meds down at all either!!!

As I said - wish me luck

Thanks in advance
Veritee

aliveinla · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2008, 03:10:42 pm »

Good luck!

I have the same concerns for myself, not started yet but I guess it should be soon.

blue2boy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2008, 03:18:49 pm »

This time it's necessary to take meds.Think of them as of something that will help you.It's not necessary to have side effects.I was scared too but there was no side effects.Just try to get used to it and you'll see that life goes on.

Wish you all the luck you need!

Longislander · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2008, 03:22:14 pm »

Hi Veritee,
I just started my 2nd bottle of Atripla, and I have to say I've been very fortunate in that I after a few nights of the drunky feeling before bed, and a temporary bout of somewhat looser stool than normal, I've had absolutely no other side effects from it. I go for labs this week to see the affect on my #'s.

I'm not one for taking medication either, unless absolutely necessary. I'd rather take a nap to alleviate a headache than take anything for it. That said, this medication is supposed to save your life. I'm not saying you do, and I'm not saying there are no sides or affects from it, but the other day I tried to rationalize taking these pills EVERYDAY for the rest of my life in this way; millions of women take birth control daily to not get pregnant. Pill taking to stay alive has to be at least as important!!

I wish you the best~

Paul

isitthatbad · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2008, 03:58:59 pm »

Good luck Veritee I hope it goes as smoothly as possible *hugs*

richva · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2008, 04:17:44 pm »

I started Atripla about four weeks ago. All I can say is, I wish I had started sooner. It's been that easy. And, I'm feeling better today than I have in a very long time. Truly, the anticipation of starting meds was, for me, far, far worse than actually starting meds. I hope it goes as well for you, too.

Rich

keyite · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2008, 04:26:18 pm »

I, too, am the type that doesn't like taking meds unless absolutely necessary. But given the choice between taking HAART and any number of nasty OIs I definitely opt for HAART. I also struggled with the idea that this is going to be for the rest of my life, but as the nurse rightly pointed out to me, look at the astounding amount of progress made with HAART during the last 10 years. It isn't likely to stand still, so it's anyone's guess where we might be at 10 years from now. Don't think of it as the rest of your life, just as something you're really committed to doing for the next couple of months and years to keep the virus well and truly in check.

I started a month ago and, yes, there have been a few side effects. Nothing unbearable and certainly nothing near as bad as I had imagined. All I'm left with now is a little bit of tinnitus every now and again and that is gradually diminishing.

On the plus side I feel so much better. It took no more than a few days before I started getting more energy and my skin problems started resolving. Friends have been remarking how much better I look and how a sparkle has returned to my eyes.

Good luck and try not to worry too much. You might just find it all pretty uneventful in the end..

Jeffreyj · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2008, 04:40:56 pm »

Best of luck with your meds! Keep us posted!

Snowangel · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2008, 06:38:15 pm »

Good Luck, Veritee! I will be thinking of you tonight.
I wasn't one to take meds either and I cried my eyes out when I first brought mine home, this was back in 93 or 94, the thought that I would have to depend on them for the rest of my life scared me to death. Now, I am just grateful they are available and I don't have to take as many as I used to.
Best Wishes,
Snow

J.R.E. · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2008, 07:32:53 pm »

Good luck. Wishing you the best...

Ray

Assurbanipal · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2008, 07:40:58 pm »

Bon chance!

With luck you'll be among those with next to no side effects.

A

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2008, 07:49:45 pm »

Quote from: Veritee on April 20, 2008, 02:58:00 pm

So the thought of taking medication for the rest of my life is not going down well - worry that I will not get the meds down at all either!!!

Good luck - trust us, we understand completely. Til something better comes along, please hang in there with the rest of us. Who know's what the "something better" might be in the near future - Maybe a drug we take 1x a week? We can dream...
AH

AndyArrow · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2008, 01:26:39 am »

Best of luck on starting your meds. Over the years I have been on many different types and have only had very minor side effects. A lot of the newer drugs are easier on your system so hopefully you will have an easy time with them.

Also, I like the name you have chosen ... Truth! I also always liked the British Televison producer Verity Lambert.

AA

BlueMoon · « **Reply #13 on:** April 21, 2008, 01:41:03 am »

I bet by morning you'll wonder what the fuss was all about.

The poison in your body is the virus. The meds are actually the antidote. Veritas.

OneMoreGuy · « **Reply #14 on:** April 21, 2008, 03:23:40 am »

Good luck Veritee and remember that the new HIV drugs are, for the most part, a lot better than what was available even only 7 or 8 years ago.

You don't mention what you will be starting on, but I do know that for people who are just starting on HAART, the meds of choice have become Stocrin + Truvada (Atripla in Northamerica and soon to be available in Europe also).

I have been since February on this combo and have detailed the side effects I experienced during the first two weeks (nothing mayor) under two threads: one called Sustiva + Truvada and the second thread called Atripla.

You also have to remember that people who are just starting to take HIV meds seem to experience less side effects with the new meds than people who have on meds for awhile.

I have read many of the threads here and one would get the impression that one will suffer as soon as the medication process begins. Luckily, for most of us newbies, it has not been so.

But, we are all different and can be affected differently by the same meds. A lot depends on our overall health and other related eating and lifestyle practices.

Lastly, I also took my first dose with a bit of trepidation not knowing exactly what I would experience. I believe that a certain fear of the unknown is always there until the 'unknown' part fizzles out.

As far as long-term side effects, well, we can only hope for the best. For the time being, I have seen my CD4 count rise from 186 (before I started on meds) to 507 in just a couple of months and my VL go down from 198,000 copies to 296. It is always good to know that the meds are working.

I think we all look forward to hearing how you are progressing as you begin with your med regime.

lucas clay · « **Reply #15 on:** April 21, 2008, 04:01:10 am »

Quote from: Veritee on April 20, 2008, 02:58:00 pm

I am supposed to start meds tonight

Wish me luck
As I feel a bit like Gemini - I know logically I have to take them to survive, but feel like the meds are poison and do not want to put them in my body............and I am dead scared of side effects!!

Well just scared of everything really.

I am someone who just does not take medication of any kind, well only when absolutely necessary and then stop as soon as I possibly can.

Thanks in advance
Veritee

I have many of the same feelings.
The meds do work, but you have to be compliant.
I hope it goes well for you, good luck and keep us posted.

Lucas

Veritee · « **Reply #16 on:** April 21, 2008, 07:51:41 am »

Thank you to all of you who has wished me luck.

I do know how lucky ( if you can call it that to get HIV at all, but in this context I feel lucky)
to have the HIV virus now when the meds have so much improved and also to live in the UK where treatment is good - and free!!

I am on Truvada Sustiva combination - my husband is on the same and he has done very well so far.
I am writing up in my blog how I feel .

For those of you who have been taking meds for years I do apologise for my making it to be a 'big thing' but it is a big thing for me and one very new.

I have spoken to many who have been Poz for some years and have not yet started on meds - and I guess have had time to understand it, all the implications and prepare - but for my husband and I we only found out we were positive a few months ago and now we are both on medication - its all happened a bit quick to take in really

This is only day one on meds for me - and so far OK

Thank you all again

Veritee
PS Yes my name does mean truth and pretty accurate as a name for me really

OneMoreGuy · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2008, 08:21:50 am »

Hi Veritee

Glad to hear that you did good on your first night of taking your meds.

I read a bit of your blog and can say that most side effects will go away in a matter of 10 to 14 days.

However, the 'interesting' dreams do seem to stay for awhile and by that I mean that they might become a regular occurrence as long as you remain on the HIV combo that you are currently taking.

As a psychologist I can tell you what I've come to assess:
- we always dream. most of the time we don't remember what we dream about. nonetheless, the sustiva + truvada combination seems to enhance our memory as far as our dreams are concerned.
- it does appear that our dreams under this combo are influenced by what we watch or read before going to bed. however, if our mental state is compromised with other fears or worries, the dreams will gain in negative force. some of my HIV patients have benefited from watching comedy or children (Disney-like) movies just before going to bed.

Regarding your concern of your liver being damaged as the years go by due to HIV medications, I got the some advice from a good friend of mine who has been HIV positive since 1983. He has tried over the years a number of HIV meds having to change meds several times over the years as his body became resistant to the meds. Even so, his liver seems to be as healthy as ever. We were talking about liver problems recently and I asked him how he managed for his liver to stay out of trouble. His advice was to drink plenty of water every day. Pure water without additives, sugar and the rest. By that I mean, not as the water contained in coffee, teas, sodas, etc. So, I pass that info on. I personally plan on following his advice.

I wish you a great week ahead and look forward to reading more good news from you.

Cheers.

BT65 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 22, 2008, 09:17:13 am »

I believe the advice about the water. I drink tons of water and I'm sure that's one of the reasons my liver hasn't suffered any (that I know of) damage from years of meds/abuse.

komnaes · « **Reply #19 on:** April 22, 2008, 09:57:52 am »

Wish you the best of luck Veritee..

Veritee · « **Reply #20 on:** April 22, 2008, 02:18:09 pm »

Thank you to all

It is my second day - I did dream a lot again ( or remembered more of my dreams - thanks OneMoreGuy as i am sure you are right ) but wound down with a nice programme before sleep so it was OK. I always did have more dreams than my husband anyway and feel that it is so that I need my dreams to 'sort things out' so its OK.

However the meds seemed to really knock me out last night - does anyone else find this? I have not had any sleep problems for years, but theses days normally sleep lighter and for less time than I used to when I was younger.
But last night I slept heavier and longer than I have in years and when I woke - very late for me - I felt like I had taken sleeping pills ( have not taken theses for many years but it felt like this) then for most of the morning I felt like I was a bit drunk and my muzzy drunk head lasted till the afternoon!

I did not mind as I can cope with this, I find vomiting is the thing I can not cope with so happy I have not had his as yet and hope I do not - everything else I am OK with.

Anyway - everthing is fine - thanks for your feedback

And I wil drink lots of water - thanks

Veritee XX

BT65 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 22, 2008, 08:31:17 pm »

Veritee, I believe one of the meds you're on is Sustiva (is that Stocrin in the UK). This can cause the 'hangover' feeling. Hopefully that will resolve in a couple-few weeks. Good luck.

Veritee · « **Reply #22 on:** May 13, 2008, 04:01:47 am »

I thought I would update all of those who were kind enough to support me on this - and thank you all'

I am now about 3 weeks into taking HIV meds; and so far so very good!!

The update on my HIV medication is as far a short term side effects I am fine:

I had some initial nausea and diarrhea in the first week one night of vivid dreams and a day of feeling 'manic' and at first I felt 'drunk' or 'knocked out' after I took my tablets every evening and had no alternative but to go to bed .

However the gastric disturbances have piratically gone i.e no nausea I do have 'loose motions' ( sorry for the details ) but not too bad I can not cope with this,

And while I do still feel slightly 'drunk ' after taking my tablets in the evening - which does mean that after about 9.30 any chance of my sensibly writing in here or on the PNI ORG UK forum is impossible as I just can not get it together, but the major hangover in the morning has gone - thanks to Bettytacy who said that it would.

But it is OK and saves on alcohol!!!!

But what am thankful for is that so far I have not had any of the mental health side effects that this combination - sustiva/truvada may bring for some i.e depression, nightmares, psychosis etc

This was my biggest fear

( I was just so worried - mainly because my consultant kept going on about the possibility so even though I have never suffered from any of the above and doubted I would - but as I had a brush with phobic anxiety at 17 and PNI ( Post Natal Illness) at 39 after my baby was born my consultant seemed to think I was a candidate for this combination causing me to have mental health side effects

I never thought she was right however .................as I believe that both of theses 'illnesses' were brought on by outside circumstances plus learned behavior and NOT any innate tenancy to mental ill health on my part, for me they were hormonal and 'learned' reactions to a 'real' cause and I have NEVER suffered form depression!! But due to my consultants fears I got scared that theses drugs would lead to this - thankfully so far they have not at all!!)

But anyway, whatever the cause of my brushes with mental health issues - in fact I have been fine on theses HIV medications. If anything I feel better!!

Partly I think because I know that now my HIV is being treated - so I no longer feel in 'limbo' waiting to get ill like my husband did !!

And I now have a chance of living out my 'normal' lifespan and still will be able to do all the things I planned to do in life ( I am 55 years old and have lots of plans yet)

But also I feel that the HIV meds are making me feel more physically well and have more energy, so this helps too.I do not know if this is just psychological but I certainly feel just so much better!!

I have had energy for the first time in years, I feel happy most of the time because I feel physically more well and I hate feeling physically unwell

( ironic really that I have HIV but feel more fit and well physically than I have done in years. But I suppose this is because I have had untreated HIV for years and just did not know it?)

Anyway to anyone who reads this - I may got other side effects in the future i.e lipo etc but so far for me the medication has been nothing but positive

Love Veritee

keyite · « **Reply #23 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:32:40 am »

Glad to hear it's gone relatively smoothly and that you are feeling the benefits in terms of health and energy. It has been my experience so far too with Sustiva/Truvada. Totally understand what you mean about no longer being 'in limbo'. Now the decision is made I feel much more able to move on and focus on other things.

LordBerners · « **Reply #24 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:50:19 am »

Over this last week I just attempted to start the combo you are on - Truvada/Sustiva - for the second time.. the first was 3 months ago, and just as the first time, I had really awful side effects: inability to eat, food seemed disgusting, fever, and total exhaustion 24 hours a day. I've had to deal with doctors who don't believe their wonderful meds can cause side effects anymore, which hasn't helped.

rondrond · « **Reply #25 on:** May 13, 2008, 08:03:02 am »

Hi Veritee.
I'm so glad you are feeling better. I hate playing the waiting game and wondering . It does feel good to have made a decision and it turns out to have been a good one

ronnie

BT65 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 13, 2008, 09:00:10 am »

Veritee, I'm glad things are going well for you on the meds. We miss you in the women's forum!
Luv,
Betty

naftalim · « **Reply #27 on:** May 14, 2008, 10:20:20 pm »

Apparently, it takes the body about a month to adjust to the meds, so keep that in mind. I have been on meds for 3 years, also started right after diagnosis and its all good. Did u ask your Doctor why that particular combination?

We can all smile a bit with you as we can imagine what you are going through. At first I watched the clock like a hawk, had my phone alarm beep me, till it was 7:00 exactly on the second (I take twice daily). Then you began to adjust and make sure you take it around 7 or whatever time you are supposed to. The first few times, you might forget to take them with you when you go out, but if you are disciplined, you go back and get them. After a while, to use a cliche, its like brushing your teeth. I too was anticipating horrid side effects, but to date, absolutely none. I insist that the hairs growing out of my ear are age related ;-)

So, let us know how you are doing, and know that you are not alone.

next2u · « **Reply #28 on:** May 15, 2008, 11:06:17 pm »

how has it been?

Veritee · « **Reply #29 on:** May 16, 2008, 08:30:43 am »

Thank you to all who have responded

We are both- my husband Barry and I - doing pretty well on this combination Truvada/Sustiva . The only real ongoing side effect is both of being knocked out/drunk feeling within an hour of taking them - means we have early nights and rarely drink anymore so it could be good fro s in the long run. Barry gets itchy as a side effect and is on anti-histamines - a side effect that I do nto share

- but he has been on them a few months and I could have m ore side effects yet I guess? he was not itchy to start with. I will take note that I need to be on them at least a month to really know how it will be but I am in my 4th week now and so far OK

I am so sorry LordBerners that you have not been able to take them.

It does show that we are all different and what others experience may not be every ones experience - I have to say thought that rather than a lack of appetite, both of us eat more than we used to on theses and both are worried that for the first time in our lives we may have to really watch our weight in the future ( I have be a little larger than I want to be since menopause Barry has always been thin - but we are both eating loads more than usual so both in danger of getting fat!!)

Anyway LordBerners i do hope it is going better for you this time
I am hoping that it will be OK for you this time

Love Veritee

BT65 · « **Reply #30 on:** May 16, 2008, 11:31:07 am »

Veritee, I'm glad your meds are tolerable for you and your hubby. I remember you saying your husband was extremely thin, so this might be really good for him. We miss you in the women's forum.

StrongGuy · « **Reply #31 on:** May 17, 2008, 05:26:56 pm »

Glad to hear things are going pretty well for you! I hear ya when you say the meds are making you feel better (physically and psychologically).

Best of luck!

Forums Index

Welcome

Author Topic: Starting meds tonight (Read 7794 times)