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Poll

Do you take only 1 pill a day for HIV?

Yes
30 (28.8%)
No (not on meds)
20 (19.2%)
No (5 or fewer)
35 (33.7%)
No (5 to 10)
13 (12.5%)
No (more than 10)
6 (5.8%)

Total Members Voted: 104

Author Topic: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?  (Read 23104 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline leatherman

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How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« on: August 24, 2007, 09:53:14 am »
Having read, and been a part of, several threads concerning the recent cover story on Poz magazine, I was left wondering something:

How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?

My first thought is that many people come to these forums looking for more information/support due to complications in their lives from HIV and/or the meds. That leads me to think that many of us here probably are NOT lucky enough to be on the "one a day" plan. Taking more than 3 or 4 meds a day (which would "up" the possibility of side effects) probably would explain many people's concern/disgust with the idea of "HIVlite".

I'm not certain whether any of my suppositions are correct and I'm sure NOT trying to start a heated debate. Interesting as those debates are (and there have been quite a few of them here in the last few days), I am really only curious as to how many people are "lucky" enough to be on such a low number of meds.

Personally, I once was on only one med (AZT); but the side effects were so devastating that I quit taking it before it, instead of the HIV, killed me. Eventually, though several different regimens, I hit a high mark of 32 a day. With improvements in treatment, I'm down to 8 a day (with only minimal side effects now).

Thanks for your time/comments!
mIkIE
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Cerrid

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2007, 10:06:51 am »
Interesting poll. Do the numbers only represent ARV or do you also want to include the supplements and the pills against side effects?
"Boredom is always counterrevolutionary. Always." (Guy Debord)

Offline dixieman

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2007, 10:16:13 am »
Well for hiv I take one pill atripila... but, I can remeber taking 30 plus under a study every 4 hours I had to take 8 pills the size of prenatal vitamins... they had to be kept in the firdge or in a cooler when at work.. I'd even have to wake up in the middle of the night to take a dose of 8 pills... speaking of side effects... today the side effects are fewer and far between... also I was drinking about 6 liters of various herbs that were suppose to be antiviral... life is so much less complicated today with the new regimines... out of that study back before the new meds came to light... I'm the only one alive today out of 30 people I know...

Offline NycJoe

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2007, 10:18:13 am »
I took 3 when I was first positive but then Atripla came along and I take one a day.  Well of course I also take the obligatory fish oil and vitamin pills...Joe

Offline thunter34

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2007, 10:36:28 am »
Interesting poll. Do the numbers only represent ARV or do you also want to include the supplements and the pills against side effects?

good question.  personally, i think those should be included also.  to me, that's the only way to do a fair assessment.  not including those is like not counting those hidden fees tacked onto the advertised prices of airline tickets and cars and such- it's hooey.  doing it that way really only serves the marketer. 

for the record:  i take 9.  eight ARV's and a crestor.
AIDS isn't for sissies.

Offline leatherman

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2007, 10:44:00 am »
Interesting poll. Do the numbers only represent ARV or do you also want to include the supplements and the pills against side effects?

There was a previous poll (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=10359.0) that included other meds, vitamins, supplements, etc. I was just trying to get a feel for the actual HIV meds that everyone was taking. Since the "HIVlite" version seems to be to take 1 pill per day and everything is fine, I was curious as to how many people here where actually having that kind of experience.

edited to include:
for disclosure purposes, I take 2 Reyataz, 1 Viread, 2 Viramune, 1 Didanosine, and 1 Norvir daily. Also, having tcells under 300 these last 13 yrs, 1 Bactrim. (having two bouts of pnuemonia - once PCP - was quite enough for me  ;))
« Last Edit: August 24, 2007, 11:10:20 am by leatherman »
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline ademas

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2007, 10:49:50 am »
If we're just talking HIV meds, I need to change my answer from 9 to 3.
Sustiva and Combivir.
Everything else is for neuropathy, arthritis, cholesterol, etc.
(Maybe I'll be able to get them all in one big freakin' horse pill someday.)

(oops...plus 1 injectable bi-weekly, androgel, and a topical for psoriasis control...but those aren't pills...)
« Last Edit: August 24, 2007, 11:35:43 am by ademas »

Offline Cerrid

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2007, 11:00:45 am »
Alright then. Strictly speaking of ARV, that's 5 (1 Kivexa/Epzicom + 4 Kaletra) for the record.

For controlling side effects there's also 1 Imodium + 1 Kreon + 2 Fishoil. Makes 9.
For PCP prophylaxis there's 0.5 Bactrim. Makes 9.5.


"Boredom is always counterrevolutionary. Always." (Guy Debord)

Offline Jerry71

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2007, 11:08:40 am »
I take 9 and 2 600mg of Gabapentin for neuropathy.

Offline +Man

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2007, 11:20:17 am »
I take:

2 Norvir
2 Lexiva
1 Epzicom
2 Fuzeon injections daily
1 Depakote
1 Wellbutrin XL
1 Propecia (so the Depakote doesn't make my all my hair fall out)

and vitamins...

1 L Methionine
1 Multi Vitamin
1 l Carnitine
2 Super Omega 3 fatty acids
1 Choline
1 Alpha Lipoic Acid

17 total

Fun Fun Fun!  Frankly,  I think I am healthier since I found out I have HIV.  Before I just had 3-4 shots of tequila and thought I was doing just fine!
Tested Neg 4/7/07
Tested Poz 6/20/07
CD4 6/20/2007 = 449 at 30%
VL >100,000
CD4 7/17/2007 =721 at 35%
VL =1430
CD4 8/14/2007 = 671 at 34%
VL =875
CD4 9/17/2007 =1010 at 38%
VL =368
CD4 11/07/2007 = 815 at 37%
VL =<50

Dan J.

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #10 on: August 24, 2007, 11:21:46 am »
 one pill? I wish! I take 14 pills a day  just for HIV.

6 Kaletra
4 Invirase
2 Viramune
2 Epivir

Plus

1 Lipitor
1Valtrex
1 Prevacid


I would do this, but the brainfog is kind of heavy today...
Hopefully somebone will give a personal accounting of the time BEFORE HAART or pre 1996 of the extremly toxic, complictated drug regimines we had to endure BEFORE Protease Inhibitors. Remember when ALL we had was AZT? My quality of life sucked so damn bad on that drug I would rather die than take that drug again. Or did anyone have the deadly allergic reaction to Ziagen?  That drug put me in the hospital.

Dan


« Last Edit: August 24, 2007, 11:26:57 am by Dan J. »

Offline northernguy

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #11 on: August 24, 2007, 11:30:51 am »
What, some people are taking just one pill?!  Everyone knows that can't be true, I read it on Aidsmeds ::)
Apr 28/06 cd4 600 vl 10,600 cd% 25
Nov 8/09 cd4 510 vl 49,5000 cd% 16
Jan 16/10 cd4 660 vl 54,309 cd% 16
Feb 17/10 Started Atripla
Mar 7/10 cd4 710 vl 1,076 cd% 21
Apr 18/10 cd4 920 vl 268 cd% 28
Jun 19/10 cd4 450 vl 60 cd% 25
Aug 15/10 cd4 680 vl 205 cd% 27
Apr 3/11 cd4 780 vl <40 cd% 30
Jul 17/11 cd4 960 vl <40 cd%33
April 15/12 cd4 1,010 vl <40 cd% 39
April 20/12 Switched to Viramune + Truvada
Aug 2/12 cd4 1040, vl <40, cd% 38
Oct 19 cd4 1,110 vl <40 cd% 41

Offline cjc

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #12 on: August 24, 2007, 12:53:11 pm »
I only take Atripla for my HIV but I also take Xanax for HIV related anxiety and Ambien for HIV related sleeplessness and a prenatal for health and lots of ibuprofen for HIV stress headaches.  i consider myself very fortunate that it's not more.  Cristy

Offline Silence_X

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #13 on: August 24, 2007, 01:07:34 pm »
Currently, I'm taking one pill a day which is Atripla. This treatment seems to be working for me considering only after one month it raised my t-cells and lowed my viral load to undetectable with minimal side effects.  I was diagnosed with HIV in 1997. :)
« Last Edit: August 24, 2007, 01:27:13 pm by Silence_X »

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2007, 01:13:23 pm »
I have never taken one pill a day, in fact there's never been a time I went below 10 even back when only two HIV meds were on the market, as I was also inevitably taking some other prophylactic or a handful (or more) of nutritional/vitamin supplements.  I'd say I've averaged a good 30 pills/day for the past decade, AND I swallow them all at once because I'm just skilled like that.

2 injections of fuzeon daily (sorry folks, but this should count for at least 10 pills itself in the equation!  tee hee)
4 Prezista
2 Norvir
1 Truvada
1 Diovan (blood pressure)
4-8 Neurontin (peripheral neuropathy issue)
6 Loperamide (potential diarrhea)
6 Pancrecarb (digestive enzyme also for diarrhea)
1 multi-vitamin
1 fish oil
1 calcium pill
KLONOPIN AS NEEDED!

(gee... is that REALLY around 30 pills!?!?)

"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline aztecan

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #15 on: August 24, 2007, 01:33:31 pm »
At the moment, for HIV I take:

1 Reyataz 300mg

1 Norvir 100 mg

2 Combivir (whatever the dosage is)

For the other stuff I take:

4 Fish oil capsules

1 Zetia

1 Pravastatin

2 Pepcid

1 Vitamin

2 Milk Thistle

4 Saw Palmetto

HUGS,

Mark

Who is willing to challenge Philly to a swallowing contest  ;)
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline milker

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #16 on: August 24, 2007, 01:35:07 pm »
Given that I started taking vitamins/minerals etc because I was diagnosed with HIV, I take 8 pills twice a day, that's 16 pills and I'm not on HIV specific meds yet.

Milker.
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline StrongGuy

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #17 on: August 24, 2007, 02:48:34 pm »
I take Sustiva/Truvada and haven't made the switch to Atripla, though I should now that it is on my formulary and to eliminate a co-pay. I also take one multivitamin, but no ther supplements. Used to take a lot more when I was on on an anti-depressant and my Kaletra combo.

I find the dosing frequency and elimination of needing to take meds with food makes a difference, but the amount of pills never phased me much. Just gulped 'em down.

So two pills plus the multivitamin once a day and hopefully will stay that way for many many years to come...

:)
"Get your medical advice from Doctors or medical professionals who you trust and know your history."

"Beware of the fortune teller doom and gloomers who seek to bring you down and are only looking for company, purpose and validation - not your best physical/mental interests."

"You know you all are saying that this is incurable. When the real thing you should be saying is it's not curable at the present time' because as we know, the great strides we've made in medicine." - Elizabeth Edwards

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #18 on: August 24, 2007, 02:54:07 pm »
I find the dosing frequency and elimination of needing to take meds with food makes a difference, but the amount of pills never phased me much. Just gulped 'em down.

I so totally agree.  I was once on a combo for years that was 2 doses/day WITH food and another one WITHOUT food.  It was so wretched to co-ordinate all of this while at the same time working ~50/hours a week, plus all the other activities I had to do.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline J.R.E.

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #19 on: August 24, 2007, 03:56:05 pm »


I take two pills at 8:00 Am ( Viramune and Epzicom) and two pills at 8:00 pm( Viramune and Viread)

And one crestor at night. So a total of 5, not including Vitamins and supplements.


Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline LPinUK

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #20 on: August 24, 2007, 04:06:03 pm »
I take 2 pills per day, 1 Truvada and 1 Sustiva, both before bedtime.   I feel fortunate to have this simple regimen available to me.
Diagnosed Poz September 2003, Current Regimen Truvada & Sustiva.

Offline cayucosguy

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #21 on: August 24, 2007, 04:08:01 pm »
I can remember taking more than two dozen pills a day, just for HIV.  Now, thankfully, it's:

1 - Truvada
1 - Reyataz
1 - Norvir

On top of that:

2 - Loperamide
1 - Celexa
2 - Wellbutrin
1 - Acyclovir
2 - Chantix

4 - Vitamins and Supplements

That brings it to 16 total, but only 3 actual HIV meds.

Offline MOONLIGHT1114

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #22 on: August 24, 2007, 04:16:23 pm »
I take 2 pills per day, 1 Truvada and 1 Sustiva, both before bedtime.   I feel fortunate to have this simple regimen available to me.

I have the same regimen with a few "extras."

1  Truvada
1  Sustiva
1  Pravachol
1  Levoxyl
1  Aspirin

Xanax and Imodium as needed.  Was trying a multi-vitamin and Glucosamine, but they both tear my stomach up.  I'm glad I'm not on those PIs anymore.  It was 20 pills a day for 6 years for me, and YES, those pills were huge and nasty.
HIV+ since '93, 1/12 - CD4 785 and undet.   WOO-HOO!!

Offline aztecan

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #23 on: August 24, 2007, 07:56:35 pm »
I fondly remember my first regimen:

6 AZT

2 Epivir

9 Saquinavir (which I quickly dumped for only 6 Crixivan)

Ah, those were the days.

HUGS,

Mark
« Last Edit: August 25, 2007, 01:25:50 am by aztecan »
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline Falkore

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #24 on: August 24, 2007, 10:15:21 pm »
Again, I feel so damn lucky.  I only take one pill for HIV... Atripla.  The side effects are minimal and compliance is no problem.  My boyfriend just started on Atripla and he is doing well.  He is not experiencing any side effects except the dizziness.  Along with the Atripla, I also take 1 Centrum Silver and 1 Acidophilus recommended to me by my nutritionist.  In all a total of 3 pills.  The Centrum and acidophilus when I get up and the Atripla at night before bed. 
"Ain't no shame in my flame"
Date:          CD4:     VL:
10/02/05     568       2,070
11/18/05     541       2,970
02/17/06     442       4,720
04/17/06     510       1,100
07/12/06     391       3,050
Start Atripla
09/22/06     595       Undet.
01/18/07     562       Undet.
05/25/07     540       Undet.
09/26/07     531       Undet.

Offline Kellyk

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #25 on: August 24, 2007, 10:38:50 pm »
Atripla and Bactrim   no complaints!

Offline AlanBama

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #26 on: August 24, 2007, 10:54:09 pm »
I remember MY first regimen very well, Mark...

AZT  AZT   AZT  AZT  AZT  AZT  AZT  AZT........

Now, I take 3 pills each day for HIV, and about 15 in total.   I am happy with this, since at one time I was taking about 45 pills a day.  (and I was over-medicated, too!). 
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline leatherman

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #27 on: August 24, 2007, 11:04:11 pm »
Remember when ALL we had was AZT? My quality of life sucked so damn bad on that drug I would rather die than take that drug again. Or did anyone have the deadly allergic reaction to Ziagen?  That drug put me in the hospital.

Sounds like a new thread: which med did you hate the most? LOL

Mine would be a three-way tie:
1) AZT because it was killing me faster than my partner was dying
2) Sustiva because after 9 months I was still having incredible nightmares, or because it kept me so dopey that I had to quit my job and I fell down the stairs one morning
3) Norvir because in liquid form it was like swallowing gasoline; or because at one time I was having to take 8 huge gel caps of it a day; or because the one a day I take now is still the one med that makes me barf.

Even though I'm not down to just one pill a day, it's still a helluva lot better for me than what I was taking 10 yrs ago. Matter of fact, my latest refill had a change. The two 150mg of Reyataz has been changed to one 300mg pill. WooHoo! That puts me down to 6 pills a day. I may be in the same category (5 to 10) but it's still a small victory.

Quote
AZT  AZT   AZT  AZT  AZT  AZT  AZT  AZT........
taken every 4 hrs.
hmmm, maybe that one does get my "most hated med award" after all.  ;)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline AlanBama

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #28 on: August 24, 2007, 11:11:40 pm »
leatherman, it DEFINITELY gets my "most hated" award, followed by:

2) liquid Norvir (tasted like burnt rubber and kerosene)
3) Mepron (looked like mustard, but tasted much worse)
4) Megace (chalky, bitter milk)
« Last Edit: August 24, 2007, 11:14:02 pm by AlanBama »
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline sdcabincrew74

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #29 on: August 24, 2007, 11:15:41 pm »
I take three for HIV (reyetaz, norvir and truvada)

I also take one multi-vitamin and one claritin.

I used to take lots more ... I may start that stop smoking pill someday soon.  But we will worry about that later.
The difference between an overnight and a layover is luck!

Offline leatherman

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #30 on: August 24, 2007, 11:40:19 pm »
I may start that stop smoking pill someday soon.  But we will worry about that later.

My next doctor appt is 8/30, and I'm finally going to give in and let him write me the script for that. I used to "know" that I wouldn't be living long enough to die of lung cancer so I didn't think I should have to quit my ONLY vice. (except for about 9 months during 2 bouts of pnuemonia. It's hard to smoke when you can't breathe. LOL) But since I seem to have gotten healthier and moved away from being so sick that "you've only got 3 months to live", I guess I need to worry about this now too.  ::)



Oh, and here's another thread idea: which med did you like the most?  ;D
I didn't really mind the 2 big ol' tablets of Videx. Crush it up and mix it into any drink, ignore the gritty, antacid taste and gulp it down.  ;D

So many people taking vitamins. I would too, but they make me barf. I do enough of that on the rest of my meds without making that situation any worse. ;)

and Thanks everyone for all the replies so far!
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #31 on: August 24, 2007, 11:47:54 pm »
I think my first regimen must have been AZT and ddi, just by going on what was available that year.  I also remember them adding hydroxyurea early on... so that potent brew assuredly gave me lipo years later.  I also consumed massive amounts of blue green algae supplements and shark cartilage -- omg that stuff gave me the most profuse gas.  And it was really expensive but it was horribly cutting edge for HIV treatment at the time -- there was a book out at the time called "No Time To Wait" that espoused this stuff and I went to several lectures by the author... years later I learned he'd been a huge early disco DJ pioneer at NYC's "The Gallery."  Total kook in person.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline AlanBama

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #32 on: August 25, 2007, 12:03:54 am »
in those early days, we would have gargled with Drano if any doctor suggested that it might help.....we were that desperate.  (come to think of it, that wouldn't have been much worse than AZT)

I took my cousin Mark to that doctor in Atlanta who was heating up people's blood and putting it back in....but he was too far gone for that kook even....
he died in 1990.

I wish the HIV meds could be like my cardiac med Coreg.  Works great, a very small pill, and no side effects that I can detect.
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline aztecan

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #33 on: August 25, 2007, 01:37:39 am »
in those early days, we would have gargled with Drano if any doctor suggested that it might help.....we were that desperate.  (come to think of it, that wouldn't have been much worse than AZT)

I took my cousin Mark to that doctor in Atlanta who was heating up people's blood and putting it back in....but he was too far gone for that kook even....
he died in 1990.

I wish the HIV meds could be like my cardiac med Coreg.  Works great, a very small pill, and no side effects that I can detect.

Oh lordy Alan, I had a friend, actually, the lover of an old friend, who went through the blood heating episode. He barely survived it. He died about six or seven months later.

You're right about the desperation too. I took 200 mcgs of selenium faithfully every day because my doc said it might help. I usually washed down with a spirulina/banana smoothie. I think I still have some of the powdered spirulina in a cupboard here.

I even tried the bowel cleansing schtick  - boy, was that fun!  :o :o :o It was meant to remove the poisons from your system. It removed everything.

One thing I could never do was gain weight. I was constantly being chastised for being too thin. I got the "When you get sick, you need something to fight with. Pack on those pounds" talk every time I saw the doc.

Damn, what memories we have.

HUGS,

Mark
« Last Edit: August 25, 2007, 01:43:22 am by aztecan »
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline David_CA

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #34 on: August 25, 2007, 01:43:21 am »
I take one pill for HIV itself - Atripla.  I still take Bactrim to keep that pesky PCP away.  One nice thing about Bactrim... it's used for adult acne.  I've had the best complexion in over 10 years since being on it!  Along with those two, I take Adderall 3x a day, Allegra (sinus issues), Lisinopril (hypertension), and an occasional Klonopin.  It all kind of makes me feel like an old person!   ;)

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline Queen Tokelove

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #35 on: August 25, 2007, 06:53:36 pm »
Currently, I'm taking one pill a day which is Atripla. This treatment seems to be working for me considering only after one month it raised my t-cells and lowed my viral load to undetectable with minimal side effects.  I was diagnosed with HIV in 1997. :)


Nice to meet you. I have been infected just as long as you but not yet on meds. When I start meds, Atripla and Abacavir is what I will be on. I'm just hoping I will have minimal side effects too. I guess I'm just comparing notes. ;D
Started Atripla/Ziagen on 9/13/07.
10/31/07 CD4-265 VL- undetectable
2/6/08 CD4- 401 VL- undetectable
5/7/08 CD4- 705 VL- undetectable
6/4/08 CD4- 775 VL- undetectable
8/6/08 CD4- 805 VL- undetectable
11/13/08 CD4- 774 VL--undetectable
2/4/09  CD4- 484  VL- 18,000 (2 months off meds)
3/3/09---Starting Back on Meds---
4/27/09 CD4- 664 VL-- undetectable
6/17/09 CD4- 438 VL- 439
8/09 CD4- 404 VL- 1,600
01-22-10-- CD4- 525 VL- 59,000
Cherish the simple things life has to offer

Offline Queen Tokelove

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #36 on: August 25, 2007, 06:59:19 pm »
You people just amaze me. And I whine about my pills I take for my diabetes. You guys, most of you, take so many pills a day, how do you do it? I think I saw a post where someone takes over 30 pills or use to. Wow. You all are really an inspiration for me. When I start my regimen and if I ever complain, someone please kick my ass.... :D
Started Atripla/Ziagen on 9/13/07.
10/31/07 CD4-265 VL- undetectable
2/6/08 CD4- 401 VL- undetectable
5/7/08 CD4- 705 VL- undetectable
6/4/08 CD4- 775 VL- undetectable
8/6/08 CD4- 805 VL- undetectable
11/13/08 CD4- 774 VL--undetectable
2/4/09  CD4- 484  VL- 18,000 (2 months off meds)
3/3/09---Starting Back on Meds---
4/27/09 CD4- 664 VL-- undetectable
6/17/09 CD4- 438 VL- 439
8/09 CD4- 404 VL- 1,600
01-22-10-- CD4- 525 VL- 59,000
Cherish the simple things life has to offer

Offline ademas

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #37 on: August 25, 2007, 11:58:48 pm »
in those early days, we would have gargled with Drano if any doctor suggested that it might help.....we were that desperate.  (come to think of it, that wouldn't have been much worse than AZT)


why gargle with Drano when you can leisurely sip on liquid Norvir??

Offline cjc

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #38 on: August 26, 2007, 12:01:25 am »
You people just amaze me. And I whine about my pills I take for my diabetes. You guys, most of you, take so many pills a day, how do you do it? I think I saw a post where someone takes over 30 pills or use to. Wow. You all are really an inspiration for me. When I start my regimen and if I ever complain, someone please kick my ass.... :D
                                                                                 As usual Queen says it more eloquently than I ever could. But I agree 100%. I am reading a book called"And The Band Played On" by Randy Shilts.It's about the early HIV years.I would suggest that anyone of us read it. Sorry for the hijack.   Cristy

Offline AlanBama

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #39 on: August 26, 2007, 12:41:42 pm »
I think I saw a post where someone takes over 30 pills or use to. Wow. You all are really an inspiration for me. When I start my regimen and if I ever complain, someone please kick my ass.... :D

Queen honey,
I don't think most of us thought (or think now) that we were doing anything so "wonderful".   We were just ordinary people, doing what we had to do to survive.   You would do the same, I'm sure.    A lot of it was awful, and some of it still is for many of us.  But I still think it beats the alternative.    I made the choice to live, even when I was told I would die.   I still see it as a choice I make every single day.   As Mark said so eloquently, each day is a blessing, one we would not have had if it hadn't been for those "awful meds".   I am thankful to be here and leading a fairly normal life.

hugs,
Alan
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Dan J.

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #40 on: August 26, 2007, 12:53:58 pm »
Reyataz, Norvir & Tuvada was the easiest combo for me to adhear to until Truvada start messing with my kidneys.  I've never taken any retrovirals in liquid form but I have taken Mepron YUCK! It lolked like yellow tempra paint & tasted vile!

Offline pozguy75

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #41 on: August 26, 2007, 12:58:45 pm »
I am on Atripla for HIV, but I take a whole host of other meds as prophylactics...
Dx 2005
ATRIPLA

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #42 on: August 26, 2007, 01:09:40 pm »
::notes that I'm in the lowest percentile in the poll::
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Dan J.

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #43 on: August 26, 2007, 02:01:19 pm »
::notes that I'm in the lowest percentile in the poll::

I'm right there with ya babe. :-*

Offline MoltenStorm

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #44 on: August 26, 2007, 06:17:08 pm »
Atripla here.
"Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful nor conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, adaptation in A Walk To Remember

CD4: 555 / 29% / Undetectable - 7 Nov 2006
CD4: 555 / 29% / Undetectable - 5 Feb 2007

Offline whizzer

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #45 on: August 26, 2007, 06:28:33 pm »
Nine here if you include the two Fuzeon injections.

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #46 on: August 26, 2007, 06:37:27 pm »
Nine here if you include the two Fuzeon injections.

Fuzeon injections count for 10 pills each time (though I did not calculate my tally in that manner, if I did I'd get a Medal of Honor).
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline whizzer

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #47 on: August 26, 2007, 06:41:05 pm »
Fuzeon injections count for 10 pills each time (though I did not calculate my tally in that manner, if I did I'd get a Medal of Honor).

Maybe not 10 but at least 4....2 for mixing and 2 for injecting.  Ah hell, lets add one for the ensuing injection site rxn and make it 5.

Offline RICKY77531

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #48 on: August 26, 2007, 07:04:11 pm »
I take Atripla

plus  multi vitamin
       selenium

3 pills

plus my daily danactive....
06/2007   CD4 266  Vl 62000
06/2007   CD4 200  Vl 13495
07/2007   ATRIPLA
09/2007   CD4 323  VL Undetectable
11/2007   CD4 428  VL Undetectable
01/2008   CD4 357  VL Undetectable
04/2008   CD4 357  VL UNDETECTABLE
08/2008   CD4 402  VL UNDETECTABLE
11/2008   CD4 421  79 DETECTABLE..
2/2009     CD4 450  VL UNDETECTABLE

Offline Toronto37

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Re: How many people here take only 1 pill a day for HIV?
« Reply #49 on: August 28, 2007, 10:55:39 am »
3 pills a day.   2 Viremune and 1 Truvada each morning.
December 2004 - Infected.
February 2005 - Seroconverted.
April 2005 - CD4 340 VL 82,467 CD% 17.3.
March 2006 - CD4 300 VL 59,155 CD%19.4
April 2006 - Viramune & Truvada .
September 2006 - CD4 580 VL 0 CD% 22.0
August 2007 - CD4 860 VL 0 CD% 26.0
No problems/side effects.

 


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