POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: GrlPozX on September 27, 2013, 01:52:39 pm
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Hi all!! I have been on Stribild for 5 weeks now. So far... No major side effects just a little headache here and there but that could be not enough water and I actually feel ten times better physically than I have in years. I'm sleeping well even.
I am newly diagnosed as of June This year. I've started with CD4 32, VL over 3.5million. I am still a couple weeks out from my first labs since starting the meds.
I was wanting to hear from you all of your experiences with Stribild and the changes in your counts and time frames. :)
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Stribild took my viral load from 76,000 to undetectable in one month. Very powerful boosted med. My CD4 rose from 60 to 230 in 5 months on Stribild. The anti-viral meds are not specifically stimulating CD4, they just suppress the virus and let the body do its thing. Expect your CD4 to rise slowly over the next months/years.
Unfortunately Stribild has side effects on me (insomnia and anorgasmia), so I switched to Complera one month ago. On the positive side, Stribild has stimulant properties - made me more social and talkative.
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I've been on Stribild for about six months and the only possible side effect is insomnia. I say possible because I'm also going through menopause, which is a contributor to that issue (insomnia). I'm experiencing nothing else negative from the Stribild. My numbers were alright prior to starting Stribild, my doctor switched me for convenience sake.
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I have been on Stribild for about 3 months and my viral load did go from 156 thousand to 90, so I am pleased, and my cd4 is 34, The doc is thinking I should be undectablbe next blood test/
My only issue is that I tend to have mild nausea in the am- I am thinking that the peanut butter sandwich may not be enough to take with the pill, as you need to take it with food.
I also take a Klonopin .5 mg in the eve and thinking also that the Klonopin and 2 glasses of wine may be a contributing factor. The nausea is NOT intense, but I am titrating off the Klonopin and have stopped the wine to see if that may be the culprit. But will not stop the marijuana that I take at night. A guy needs some vices LOL .But maybe I should stop the pot as well.
Any thoughts/
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whoops. cd4 count is 314--sorry
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Betty...
Just letting you know, I am on STIBILD now , also. Everyone says its a great drug. Very powerful.
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Had to share....
Went to doc today for first labs. Started at 32 CD4s & 3.5million. Started Stribild and after only 7 weeks, 159 CD4s & VL 152! Doc said I have an incredible immune system and response to the meds.
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Betty...
Just letting you know, I am on STIBILD now , also. Everyone says its a great drug. Very powerful.
Joel, is this the first drug you've been on? Sorry, I can't remember if you'd been on something else. I've got several clients that are now on it, that were on something else previously. All of them love it.
Betty
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After five years of Atripla brain fog and SustivaSurround-Alice-in-Wonderland dreams, I switched to Stribild. So far my CD4 is up and my VL remains ud. There seems to some concern about kidney function while on Stribild, but my kidney function actually improved. If there is any side effect at all it's that I feel much more anxious than I used to, but I'm not sure if that's caused by one (or more) of the drugs in Stribild.
All in all, Stribild has been a huge improvement over my former BFF Atripla.
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Congrats GrlPoz,
Get results in such a short window, I too am on Stribild and as I have said before my only side effect has been bloating (about 20 min) but it goes away quickly now after taking my daily med.
I see great things in all our labs!
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HI Everyone, I am on week 4 of Stribild after 14 year living with HIV under control. I was a long term non progressor but my numbers changed dramatically in the past year and a half. Unfortunately I was down to 280 Tcells and 300,000 VL. I will have labs back in a week or so and will update on progress.
I have had no side effects on this medication, which I take at bed time. I have had some vivid dreams however maybe that is due to the drug but it doesn't bother me. I also have noticed a lot more energy and motivation in general. My bowel movements have been regular and healthy for the first time in years (yes you heard that right) and it was solved in a matter of days (I am not exaggerating here!). Even some other gastro issues such as gas or bloating have subsided. The first week or so I did have some abdominal pressure but that has resolved itself.
I also began to lose a little weight which was not concerning (went from 165 to 160lbs) as I know my metabolism is shifting back to normal. I intend to gain more weight as I am an active athelete and work out regularly. Hopefully people will begin to notice that I am looking healthier instead of always telling me I look thin. I have had marked success in my work performance as well as on the court (I play volleyball).
I am hoping to hear some of your stories and be encouraged by the strength and experiences that I learn about in each of your individual lives. It has been very awe inspiring going through this process after nearly 15 years of having no issues. But I also realize that I could have started sooner and would have had some of the subtle changes with regard to my energy and health addressed. I am hopeful about this drug.
xo
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Stribildude
I too feel healthier and more energetic than I have in years. Of course, I wasn't diagnosed til this past summer. But I've been on stribild for over two months with amazing progress. This med and my reactions to it has made coping with my diagnosis a lot easier. I thought I was in for a lifetime of constant sick feelings but that's not the case. It's just the opposite! I'm on 2 other meds right now because my counts were so low and they mess with tummy now and then but my cd count is rapidly rising and doc thinks next month I'll be able to get off them. ( fingers crossed ).
I take my med about 8 pm every night and I'm asleep by 1030ish. Doesn't affect my sleep at all. Heck if anything, it feels like it helps me sleep.
When I was first diagnosed, I dropped almost 25lbs in a month from the stress and anxiety. Once I got everything under control I gained back 20lbs (I would have been happy with 10lbs) ha.
I would love to hear your progress on the stribild. Let us know!!
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Doc said I have an incredible immune system and response to the meds.
That's is very good too hear ! and we are happy for you. Almost envious
Not only you have an incredible response, but, also an incredibly generous insurrance system!
At $ 50.000 / year I wonder if HMOs will let people stay on Stribild for long.
I would like to come up with a list of HMOs allowing Stribild, as apparently, it seems difficult to collect information that would be useful to all prospecttive users.
It would be nice to be able to come with a double entry table, listing HMOs and whether they support S. and for which patients (naives and / or treatment experienced )
Looking forward to more info on this matter, as I would like to consider a switch
Cheers! Eric
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After 5 months, happy with the switch. Had a brief period where urine was that unhealthy looking bright yellow. A bit concerned about kidney/liver function....so doubled my water consumption....and it was only a brief episode. I was also warned by my ID doc about the cobicistat component as can intensify/boost other medications that you may be on. That has not been a problem.
The biggest plus has been a return to regular and content sleeping. Had some way-out confrontational dreams in the Atripla days. Like stribildude/grlpozx I have lost weight (10lbs), even though I eat more. Perhaps metabolism is getting back to a new norm. Have to brag a little about wearing those old skinny jeans again.
Once a day dosing seems to work better for me.
Hey Eric....HMO's/Stribild/cost study would be welcome. Could be some tough comparisons when you get into deductables/limitations/exclusions/and so on.
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Hi,
This data should be usefull and, we can , collectively, construct. that table
Do you know how much your S. costs ? should be written somewhere... don't you think?
Thanks in advance
Eric
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Eric
I think you are asking for info about HMO's. I am Medicare. Only on Stribild for 5 months, so paid nearly 400 p/month initially....now done to 100.
It is structured so that you pay more earlier in the year, so if I had been on Stribild in Jan/Feb it would have been much more. As far as I know RX out-of-pocket costs are capped at 4750 p/year, let me know if you want more info, but didn't want to hijack the thread.
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UPDATE WEEK 8 on STRIBILD:
Hi there everyone, my labs came back a bit later than expected but I am pleased to learn that I dropped VL from 300,000 to 318. That is a thousand fold decrease and it was in the first month. Now finishing month two I expect I am probably undetectable - which by the way I have never been in my entire 14+ years on HIV. As I mentioned earlier, this is my first ever treatment as I have been a slow progressor. I am very happy that I chose to start medication. Still no side effects that I can speak of, save perhaps the added boost on things like cialis and other substances. Actually I felt like I got drunker faster in the first few weeks and must remind myself to take it easier on the partying. I'd like some honest feedback on this aspect for those of you who do use substances.
I will be receiving my first Tcell test next month. I'm hoping it is higher than the 280 which I stupidly let myself drop to. It was partly my own fault but also the oversight of some of my doctors (including a study I was participating in at NIH) which neglected to inform me of my Tcells dropping in half within two years of tests. Long story short, there was some confusion about to whom the labs should have been sent and my doctor changed offices. But one would think an alarming 750 to 400 tcell change would prompt a PHONE CALL. HELLOOOOO. This has just reinforced for me that I need to look after my own health and body changes. Nobody is going to be more concerned for me or have my back. Tough lesson to learn.
PS I have good health insurance that covers this medication as my partner works in health care. I pay $60 a month for the pills.
xo
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Congrats :)
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I've been n Stribild now for five months and I pleased. I have only one side effect which seems to be common which is insomnia. Before I had been on Complera and that always did a number on my GI and weight gain.
Slow and steady wins the race.
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UPDATE WEEK 12 on STRIBILD:
Well I am now 130 viral load which is another threefold decrease since October but I have to say I am disappointed it is not undetectable... yet! The real disappointment however came when the doctor informed me that they had not checked my Tcells or liver/kidney function. I thought at week 12 he told me that was what we would do and to have paid to come out there during my lunch just to get another low vl reading seemed a bit underwhelming. WELL, he did check everything else blood pressure weight blah blah blah. Frankly I am a very fit and healthy person but I do have some substance issues. It was weird to me that he didn't ask me about these as I am sure they have contraindications with the meds. I am on top of it though, managing some harm reduction techniques to keep me from using as much and not binge drinking more than a few times a month.
Does anyone else have this experience with their provider where the tests one believes are being ordered are not fully done so? I feel like I need to switch back to my local gay community clinic where at least they will be thorough and I can get HEP C / SYPHILIS / GON / CHLAM and all the rest tested in one place. I just feel like this guy, although he is well meaning and very very experienced as a specialist, is inundated with geriatric patients and doesn't really give me the quality care I deserve. I will be giving him one more chance when I finally have my TCELL COUNT labs done in February (this will be the first follow up on TCELLS since starting meds in September).
My doctor says that the TCELLS are still important but we are not as concerned at week 12 about them. Is he just feeding me shit? I also am concerned about the kidney and liver thingie, if I am using drugs and alcohol with the medication surely I need to follow up sooner than later to see if harm is being done.
ON a positive note, I feel amazing. I am back at the gym. My boyfriend and I are having more sex and I have more energy in general. I am very hopeful about this regiment I just am annoyed at the little quirks my doctor exhibits and the confusing explanations over my labs (or lack thereof). Anyway I won't stress my little head about it as the virus is under control and that is the best news I can ask for.
PS One more thing I encountered in the past month was an experience with a MRSA sore under my arm. It hurt like hell and I had to have it incised and drained. That was unfortunate. My bf says I probably got it from someone I was partying with. Also my dentist referred me to periodontist and I am told I have a new chronic condition which is gum disease. It is not advanced but it is life long supposedly and the list of things that bad dental hygiene can cause is staggering. SO FLOSS YOUR TEETH! Brush regularly and see your dentist. This is crucial for HIV positive folks, especially if you drink smoke and/or use other substances.
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Oh by the way I am on the up with the weight gain and it's all lean muscle. At 168.5 which is up from 160 when I started in September. I can feel the difference and especially see it in the mirror, face looks fuller. Also eating more regularly and everything else regularly. I started taking meds first thing in the morning as my dizzy ass missed a night or two when I was out drinking.
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I just started taking stribild about 4 days ago and today have had a terrible headache all day today. I never get headaches So my suspicion is its the stribild. I have been positive for 7 years and was taking a 3 drug combo and wanted to switch to stribild because it saves me money.
If anyone has gotten headaches on stribild can you tell me if it was short term and then stop, or did they continue?
Thanks!
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I just started taking stribild about 4 days ago and today have had a terrible headache all day today. I never get headaches So my suspicion is its the stribild. I have been positive for 7 years and was taking a 3 drug combo and wanted to switch to stribild because it saves me money.
If anyone has gotten headaches on stribild can you tell me if it was short term and then stop, or did they continue?
Thanks!
Another member (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=52147.msg619195#msg619195) just told us that her suspected Stribild headaches turned out to be a sinus infection. You would be wise to see your doctor about the headaches to rule out other causes.
Also, if it is something in the Stribild causing them, there is always the chance that it will get better within a week or two as your body adjusts to the new meds. Good luck with getting it sorted.
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Hi there, well entering SIX MONTH on STRIBILD and lab results are impressive. I am up to 430 Tcells (up from 280 in September 2013), with CD4% at 17% (up from 7% in Sept 2013). My viral load is still low at 101 (down from 300,000 in Sept 2013).
I do not have side effects that I can speak of. I have seen marked improved in my gastrointestinal issues, all normal there... Also my liver and kidney function are normal (there was a slight uptick in the creatinine I believe which is to be expected). I have no doubt that it was the right choice for me to start this medication when I did, even after waiting almost 14 years since my diagnosis.
Additionally I have gained 5lbs of lean muscle since Sept 2013. This goes up and down slightly but I do workout rigorously and play volleyball several times a week. For recently turning 38, I am in very good shape and do not smoke anymore. The only other supplements I have been taking are a daily multi vitamin (which I am not consistent about), Creatine which I load occasionally for workouts, and Isopure protein powder used post workout (50g) to gain muscle. I'd like to be heavier and always have had a struggle with weight gain. However I am told I look healthier and even my face has begun to fill in a bit more.
I have also been good about not partying as much as I used to, though I do like my occasional bottle of wine or six pack of microbrew (or boozy brunch).
I am feeling great, but if I had to pick one area I most want to improve it would be my sexual performance. I asked for a prescription for daily cialis at 5mg from my doctor since my sex life with my partner of 10 years has grown quieter and I have a difficult time sometimes with performing as well as I'd like (or being prepared). Still, this is only a slight concern - we are also open and I don't have a problem all the time especially if I have one of these ED drugs handy.
Thank you for your time!
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*Correction* I went from 160lbs in September to 173 today. That's 13lbs of lean muscle baby. No wonder ppl are saying I look better all the time. :D
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Hey stribildude, Have you covered the use of Creatine and Isopure with your Dr.? I too have lost some weight since being diagnosed (I assume from stress) and am considering adding a protein shake to my diet after lifting. I'm not going to see my doc until later this month so any info you (or others from this forum) can offer would be appreciated.
I was diagnosed 1/17/2014 and started Stribild 2/8/14 (VL 169,192, CD4 200). Just gave blood for my first VL and CD4 count and hoping for the best.
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I have been on Stribild for about 3 months and my viral load did go from 156 thousand to 90, so I am pleased, and my cd4 is 34, The doc is thinking I should be undectablbe next blood test/
My only issue is that I tend to have mild nausea in the am- I am thinking that the peanut butter sandwich may not be enough to take with the pill, as you need to take it with food.
I also take a Klonopin .5 mg in the eve and thinking also that the Klonopin and 2 glasses of wine may be a contributing factor. The nausea is NOT intense, but I am titrating off the Klonopin and have stopped the wine to see if that may be the culprit. But will not stop the marijuana that I take at night. A guy needs some vices LOL .But maybe I should stop the pot as well.
Any thoughts/
Stribild is the regimen I've chosen to start with. I noticed you take Klonopin. I take 1.5mg of Xanax a day-- half milligram spread out 3 times a day. I've read Xanax is one of the more possibly significant interactions, saying caution should be used as the cobicistat will increase the levels. I was wondering whether that's true for the Klonopin and may be the issue with your nausea? I have no idea whether that caution is mainly for larger doses, or even small doses. I also read the Prozac I take may increase and cause side-effects. Oh, hydrocodone levels may decrease, from what I read. I take that as needed and have been able to keep that in check, so I hope it doesn't decrease levels too much. But, mainly wondering about meds that could increase and cause issues.
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Hey Tednlou2,
I have been taking all three meds (Stribild Xanax and hydrocodone) for over a year now and have not noticed any changes in the potency for either Xanax or hydro. As always, your mileage may very.
Best of luck in starting treatment. Stribild has been a walk in the park for me compared to my first regimen, Atripla. I'm sure you will have great results as well.
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the weight gain from stribild, i've seen two things in this thread, i'd like some clarity. is this weight gain, muscle mass or at least healthy bulk, which i'd be thrilled with due to the wasting ive had the past year.
or are we talking about lipodystrophy?
i expect to be back on meds in the next month after dropping off the grid for a couple years. stribild is on my short list of requests, i will not be put on atripla/sustiva again
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Zach - I have gained weight since starting Stribild, but I am lazy as shit and eat a terrible diet so I do not blame the meds. I have always had a bearish figure and been a yo-yo dieter so nothing new with my current weight gain. I just need to get off my butt and get some excercise.
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I've taken Stribild for about a year and have not gained weight from it. One of my friends told me he takes his at night and at times vomits in the morning, but he also drinks quite a bit, so it's hard to tell if the vomiting is from the Stribild or the drinking.
One of the things I try to remember about these meds is that there really are no long-term studies to substantiate what causes what, since they push them out so fast. So, if someone experiences what could be called a side effect, it's probably difficult to say if it is or is not the med.
I would definitely keep track of everything, and be fair in your reasoning, i.e., if you gain weight, is it due to the Stribild, or your diet? In other words, take all factors into consideration. I'm not one to read about all the possible side effects of a drug, since a lot of people who obsessively read about possible side effects, develop them, even if they're not there. But, if there is something new that happens after taking a med, and you've crossed out all other possible causes, I would write it down and discuss with the doctor.
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And I lost ten pounds since starting on Stribild. It was within the first three weeks and my weight has maintained since at the same level since. No change in diet/exercise regimen or anything else. Only change was from Atripla to Stribild.