POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: andrew1027 on October 28, 2013, 02:54:24 pm
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I am taking Norvir 100 mg, Viread 300 mg,Zidovudine 300 mg, and Reyataz 300 mg.... I have notice that after I start taking this medication.... it's been about 3 months that I have been taking it, but I have noticed that I go through these mood swings like no other and I was wondering if this is a side effect from one of these medications or the combination of all of them.... I have been forced to use an anti-nausea medicine to take with them, but that is a common side effect, however the other is really get me down because I become down right mean and I see it happening but I can't stop it
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I am so sorry you are having issues with the medications you are taking. Is there any way you can discuss switching to other medications? There are treatments that do NOT cause those side effects, at least not to the degree you seem to be experiencing them.
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Why are you taking AZT (zidovudine)?
This is an older medication that can cause side effects and lipo problems. It is not used very much in the United States anymore and your profile says your in Pennsylvania. Is there a reason you are on it?
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I have been trying to get them to change my medication especially when I got the common side effects... I had headaches everyday, vomiting everyday and dealing with the nausea and I have been told that since I became resistant to atripla which that medication was the best for me but I guess the virus didn't seem to agree well that and other circumstances.... I am at my wits-end
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Buginme..... I was not given any reason why I was on it actually I wasn't even told it was ATZ.... You just told me..... So I don't know why they have me on it
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Step one would be to find out what your resistance profile says, that will tell you what drugs you can and cannot take.
Unless your resistant to every medication out there I would question why I was on AZT and ask to be changed to something with less side effects. While your at it your also taking norvir and Reyataz. If you can find a regimen that drops the norvir that would also lessen some side effects although it's not as big of a deal as the AZT.
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Thank you Buginme2.... I see my doctor in December.... I will definitely ask and get back to you
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It's not just the Zidovudine issue that is odd -- it's also that he's on Viread instead of Truvada (Viread + Emtriva). It would make more sense for him to be on Reyataz, Norvir and Truvada. And even considering that I'd be more likely to prefer Prezista in place of Reyataz is a doctor is going to do a protease inhibitor-based regimen.
Of course, perhaps resistance testing previous to being put on this regimen indicated what he's on is his best choice. Andrew, how long have you been on HIV treatments over the years and can we assume that your doctor has run resistance tests (geno/phenotype)?
As far as nausea goes, it is a listed side effect from all four medications you are currently on.
ps: if things are as severe as you are stating I would personally advocate having your December appointment moved up to November. Clifton Heights is a suburb of Philly only 10 miles away. Are you going to a doctor out there or in the city?
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When I was first dx I was put on truvada and it made me vomit everytime I took it.... My Doctor is right here in my county actually within walking distance of my place