POZ Community Forums

Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: positivelynerd on January 31, 2013, 06:30:48 am

Title: Switching Sustiva
Post by: positivelynerd on January 31, 2013, 06:30:48 am
So here's my deal. I've been in a clinical trial, taking sustiva and epizicom, for three months now. My VL has gone from 399,000 (Oct 25, '12) to 411 (Jan 20, '12) so I know my meds are working but I still might be having mild CNS side effects. I can't tell where I end and the meds begin.

I'm in school and sometimes focusing in lecture is hard or I have to read something a few too many times. I don't remember being like this before, but is it the sustiva or am I psyching myself out? I'm at the point where I need to talk to my doctor about it. Any other experiences with school and sustiva? Ways of combating this?

Also, I was curious if leaving one medication in a structured approach and starting a new regimen would exempt me from the old medication. Does the virus have a higher chance of mutating around a treatment after its been stopped, even if another treatment takes its place?  From my understanding, no, but I'd like some clarification and insight. If I switch meds, is there a good chance I can switch back if I need to, for whatever reason?

Thanks for your time,
Cloudy Conundrum
Title: Re: Switching Sustiva
Post by: Ann on January 31, 2013, 06:47:20 am
Nerd, you won't risk resistance if you stop taking one combo and start taking a new combo the next day.

So yes, if you switch immediately to a new combo, you will still have your original combo as an option down the line.

Sustiva can cause sleep disturbances in some people and that can contribute to your inability to focus. A lot of people switch away from Sustiva for problems like you're having. Please talk it over with your doctor.