Anyone started Complera with VL > 100,000 and now having stomach cramps?

[Married Man]

I have been diagnosed hiv poz on Feb 7, 2013. Had to wait for my genotype to be completed and found out I have no resistance to meds. Due to the high demands of my job and a strong family history of hyperlipidemia and CHD, my physician prescribed Complera on March 25, 2013.  My first question is: How effective could this be if my VL was 385,000, and my CD4 was 437 (31%). I understand the drug is only for those with a VL <100,000. My physician knows I have a high stress job with early mornings involving a 2 hour car ride to work everyday. Has anyone else had successful labs starting Complera after having such a high VL?
Also, the only side effect I had the first few days was slight headache and 1 hour of dizziness.....until now, 4 weeks of Complera and I feel pregnant!  My stomach is distended, gassy, bad cramping throughout the day and my stools have changed, less volume, and straw colored. Any insight if this stomach issue is serious or will get better with time. I take my Complera at the same time everyday, 0635 in the morning and have breakfast, with a healthy fat at 0615.  Has anyone had similar stomach issues that resolved?  Lastly, are Complera users suppose to stop drinking caffeine and coffee?  I know caffeine irritates the gut. I will get my labs retested on May 25th at my 60 day usage anniversary and hope that I see some improvement. I have felt terrible, prior to taking the Complera or any medication. I still do, always tired, short of breath, can't exercise, headaches and gained 10lbs in 1 month.  Thanks for reading. Any help is appreciated.         

[buginme2]

Why would your doctor prescribe Complera to you when you had such a high viral load?  If its because of high cholesterol and cvd there are many other options. 

I take Complera also.  It does cause some gas.  I haven't experienced what your describing but I have had some gas issues.  I've noticed the later in the day I take it the better it is.  Try switching from taking it with breakfast to taking it with dinner.  It may help.

[life2]

The labeling change to Complera for VL<100k was issued in mid January of this year.

I was prescribed Complera on 1/3 with a CD4 of 149 and VL of 239k and have had great results.  I experienced all of the side effects you are experiencing, dizziness, gas, distension, lightly colored stools(loose) and fatigue.  All have gone away except the fatigue and the gas and distension, but even those have improved significantly.

Be sure to discuss this with you HIV specialist.

[Anqueetas]

People With viral load higher than 100k have higher rate of virologic failure than Atripla, that is why they change the label recommendation. YOu doctor probably weight the pro and con for you, that why he choose this. All you can do is keep taking them as prescribe be very adherence. Taking Complera with a full meal will help with the discomfort. If you side effect have not improve after a month, you can discuss with your doctor about other option such as, Presista+Norvir+Truvada that have minimal side effect.

Good luck

[frenchie]

when i started medication my viral load was about 200 000, and atripla was the only single tablet regimen available in my country.

As i had at the beginning a lot of side effects (and also being very depressed: just been diagnosed, and girlfriend who i was suppose to married, dump me in a very very rude way), i wanted to switch to complera, i took another health insurance in a different country where complera was available and then switch to this one (my viral load at this time was not detectable thanks to atripla).

And the side effects was even worse (i still had insomnia and a lot of stomach problems), i kept complera for a month or two but the side effect didn t go away.

So i went back to atripla and nowadays the only problem i have is sometimes a sleeping disorder, but nothing to bad, so i keep this medication.

if the side effect stay the same after a few month maybe atripla, is something you can try, i just take it before i go sleep, no matter what time.