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Author Topic: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa  (Read 10923 times)

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Offline hiv_positive_BG

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Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« on: January 01, 2013, 12:01:26 pm »
Hello, and Happy New Year to all!

I've understood that I'm HIV positive about a month ago. My CD4 cells are 178, and doctors have directly put me on medication.

I take Norvir, Reyataz and Kivexa. What do you think about this combination? First I had my stomach upset for a week, but that has passed. Well, things are not the same there, when I go to the WC, you know, I may go more often than usually, but that's not a big problem.

For 2 days now I feel my heart has started beating faster.. My pulse is around 100. Does that mean, that the therapy is no good for me? Could you please tell me - in this combination (Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa), what are the most common side effects I should expect, and get tested (blood tests, x-ray examonation...) more often for? Do you find such combination good and up-to-date enough?

And one more thing - when the organism "gets used" to those three drugs? I mean, if I get my CD4 cells restored up to around 500 and the virus load lower, could I stop therapy and start drinking selenium, or some grapefruit medications, as some people do?! Or everything would abruptly get worse, if I do so... I am really scared whether I could get myocardial infraction, as, they've written for these drugs, the risk is much higher!! :((

Offline buginme2

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2013, 12:45:06 pm »


I take Norvir, Reyataz and Kivexa. What do you think about this combination?

This combination is a very effective regimen.  You should experience very little problems with this combination.  As with all new medications, you can experience a few side effects when starting new meds but after a few weeks your body will get used to it and you will notice any side effects less and less.



And one more thing - when the organism "gets used" to those three drugs? I mean, if I get my CD4 cells restored up to around 500 and the virus load lower, could I stop therapy and start drinking selenium, or some grapefruit medications, as some people do?! Or everything would abruptly get worse, if I do so... I am really scared whether I could get myocardial infraction, as, they've written for these drugs, the risk is much higher!! :((
As long as you take your medication each day and try not to miss any doses then the HIV will not "get used" to your medication or develop resistance, it will continue working without issue.

Your Viral load will decrease and your CD4 count will rise.  However, once they reach normal levels you CANNOT stop your medication.  Selenium and grapefruit will do nothing to control the HIV.  If you do stop you can risk developing resistance and having a rebound of HIV and a decrease in your health. 
Don't be fancy, just get dancey

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2013, 05:32:49 pm »
Hello buginme2, and thanks for the reply!

I however experience two conditions, I don't know how to deal with...

First of all, I've started going to the WC 5-6 times daily. I've started fearing eating much, because I'd have to spend the whole day there. I'm used to having my stomach well filled, but now it's permanently empty and I have to eat more and more, then more and more go to the toilet!

Is it better to start eating less, or it's better to keep on "filling my stomach", then going regularly to the WC?! The problem is, the food doesn't stay in the stomach, as I've used to and I feel permanently hungry!

The second problem is - and I wonder if it's due to medications or something else.. but my pulse has raised. It always stays around 100, which as far as I know is not good, it should be about 80. Today, when I went to the bathroom, apparently something happened with my blood pressure and I started feeling as if I'd get a blackout and I can't breathe. I had to go out of the bathroom for a few minutes, in order to get well and return back again. That happens for the first time...

Hope someone would give me some advice what to do, I'll go for my first monthly hospital tests in a week, but I don't know if the blood tests would show up such problems... Is anyone on my medications, or some of them, experiencing the same problems?!

Offline ad2san

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2013, 11:30:34 am »
Hi there, I fully agree with bugin2me !

From the description you make, it sounds that you are a little under stress with the medication ... and this is understandable.

When I was taking the same combo, I was taking it with breakfast in the morning and I did not notice any big changes when going to the toilettes ... may be in the coloration but this is due to the bilirubine increase, nothing to worry about.

If you worry too much, have an open conversation with your doc.

Grapefruit is delicious but not recommended  >:( .... at all

Cheers
Feb   2009 CD4 358 VL 2000 16%
May  2009 CD4 305 VL 3069  14% <---- Started TVD+ATZ/r
Jul  2009 CD4 512 VL <50   18%
Jul 2010 CD4 418 VL <50 24%                     
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Norvir + Reyataz (due to sleep problem)
Aug 2010 CD4 606 VL <50 25%
Jul 2011 CD4 494 UD 23%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Viramune XR (due to kidney problems)
January 2012 CD4 564 UD 31%
January 2013 CD4 594 UD 26%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Isentress due to BIG increase GammaGT
Feb 2013 CD4 699 UD 28%
Aug 2014 CD4 639 UD 25%
Switched January 2015 to Triumeq
May 2015 CD4 807 UD 31%
Switched Nov 2016 to Genvoya due to gastric problems
November 2016 CD4 847 UD 32%

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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  • Posts: 58
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2013, 11:54:22 am »
Hello ad2san, thanks a lot for your answer! As far as I can see, this combination caused you kidney problems, as stated in your signature? Do you think this is an individual reaction, of your body, or it's something coming from the three meds, and that reaction could happen to anyone? If you could turn back time, what would you do, would you take some pills in order to save your kidneys, and what exact problems did you have? Do you know what kind of blood tests would show me if I also start getting this problem... :(

In terms of stress - maybe you're right, I'm a bit afraid, but don't feel like stressed. I sleep normally, and have read in the forum that other people spend more time in the toilet as well... plus I have to mention, I take TWO pills of Reyataz daily :( I guess that med causes stomach problems, I've read some other users complain too...

Offline ad2san

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2013, 12:11:26 pm »
Hello ad2san, thanks a lot for your answer! As far as I can see, this combination caused you kidney problems, as stated in your signature? Do you think this is an individual reaction, of your body, or it's something coming from the three meds, and that reaction could happen to anyone? If you could turn back time, what would you do, would you take some pills in order to save your kidneys, and what exact problems did you have? Do you know what kind of blood tests would show me if I also start getting this problem... :(

Well, if the problem happens you will notice : you pee something that has the same color like coca-cola   :o  8) This meant that I had blood in the urine (without any mechanical reason why it might have happened). It lasted 4 days. I underwent a batch of examination (uroscopy, CT, etc) and they found NOTHING. So as some RARE problems are documented with Reyataz the recommendation of the urology was to switch off the drug.
So yes the reaction can happen to anyone but it is very rare.  I must add that we may have in my family a genetic problem with kidney as well since my dad and uncle (his brother) had kidney cancer ....

I sleep normally, and have read in the forum that other people spend more time in the toilet as well... plus I have to mention, I take TWO pills of Reyataz daily :( I guess that med causes stomach problems, I've read some other users complain too...

You sleep well, this is great !!!!  ;D  I understand that you are on the 2 Reyataz pill combo, this spares you the Norvir that is not side effect free as well   ::)

You should give some time to see how the blood work comes out .... You have other options, don't hesitate to express your concerns to your doc !

Cheers

Feb   2009 CD4 358 VL 2000 16%
May  2009 CD4 305 VL 3069  14% <---- Started TVD+ATZ/r
Jul  2009 CD4 512 VL <50   18%
Jul 2010 CD4 418 VL <50 24%                     
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Norvir + Reyataz (due to sleep problem)
Aug 2010 CD4 606 VL <50 25%
Jul 2011 CD4 494 UD 23%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Viramune XR (due to kidney problems)
January 2012 CD4 564 UD 31%
January 2013 CD4 594 UD 26%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Isentress due to BIG increase GammaGT
Feb 2013 CD4 699 UD 28%
Aug 2014 CD4 639 UD 25%
Switched January 2015 to Triumeq
May 2015 CD4 807 UD 31%
Switched Nov 2016 to Genvoya due to gastric problems
November 2016 CD4 847 UD 32%

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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  • Posts: 58
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2013, 03:59:31 pm »
Hello ad2san, when they found I've got the HIV, my CD4 cells were 176. That was a month ago. So they gave me the following therapy - 1 pill of Norvir, 2 pills of Reyataz (we don't have the combo pills here, yet we have all the different meds spread in the EU), as well as one pill of Kivexa. I take them all four at breakfast.

Do you find it proper, for my number of CD4 cells? I guess they'll take off something when CD4 become 300 or 500, but I am not sure. I'm sorry that I ask you, instead of reading the brochure, but what side effects of Kivexa do you mention about?

And thanks, once again, for sharing such a valuable information!

Offline ad2san

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  • Posts: 238
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2013, 04:17:36 pm »
Hi there,

well as you may in my bio, Reyataz raised my CD4 to the 500-600 range. You'll certainly see an improvement but be patient ...

Kivexa: I had absolutely no side effect. I find it better than Truvada (no farting :-) ) and if you take Kivexa instead of truvada you can theorically spare the Norvir (one less pill) ...

Cheers
Feb   2009 CD4 358 VL 2000 16%
May  2009 CD4 305 VL 3069  14% <---- Started TVD+ATZ/r
Jul  2009 CD4 512 VL <50   18%
Jul 2010 CD4 418 VL <50 24%                     
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Norvir + Reyataz (due to sleep problem)
Aug 2010 CD4 606 VL <50 25%
Jul 2011 CD4 494 UD 23%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Viramune XR (due to kidney problems)
January 2012 CD4 564 UD 31%
January 2013 CD4 594 UD 26%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Isentress due to BIG increase GammaGT
Feb 2013 CD4 699 UD 28%
Aug 2014 CD4 639 UD 25%
Switched January 2015 to Triumeq
May 2015 CD4 807 UD 31%
Switched Nov 2016 to Genvoya due to gastric problems
November 2016 CD4 847 UD 32%

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2013, 07:45:21 am »

So they gave me the following therapy - 1 pill of Norvir, 2 pills of Reyataz (we don't have the combo pills here, yet we have all the different meds spread in the EU), as well as one pill of Kivexa. I take them all four at breakfast.

Do you find it proper, for my number of CD4 cells? I guess they'll take off something when CD4 become 300 or 500, but I am not sure.


Reyataz, Norvir and Kivexa is a standard hiv med combo and is appropriate for your numbers.

They will not "take something off" when your CD4 counts rise because you need at least three different meds to fight hiv effectively. You are actually on four (Kivexa contains two meds), but you need the low-dose Norvir to boost the Reyataz. You could very well stick with this combo for many years.

You can read more about the meds you're on by clicking here. You can read about how combination therapy works by clicking here.

The UK based i-Base has some of their treatment publications available in Bulgarian (and other languages) translations. Click here. You may find the Bulgarian Introduction to Combination Therapy particularly helpful. You will need Adobe to download the PDF file.

Hope that helps.
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline ad2san

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2013, 01:02:55 pm »
Bulgarian Poz, listen to the wise lady Ann  :D

Take care, don't worry, be happy !
Feb   2009 CD4 358 VL 2000 16%
May  2009 CD4 305 VL 3069  14% <---- Started TVD+ATZ/r
Jul  2009 CD4 512 VL <50   18%
Jul 2010 CD4 418 VL <50 24%                     
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Norvir + Reyataz (due to sleep problem)
Aug 2010 CD4 606 VL <50 25%
Jul 2011 CD4 494 UD 23%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Viramune XR (due to kidney problems)
January 2012 CD4 564 UD 31%
January 2013 CD4 594 UD 26%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Isentress due to BIG increase GammaGT
Feb 2013 CD4 699 UD 28%
Aug 2014 CD4 639 UD 25%
Switched January 2015 to Triumeq
May 2015 CD4 807 UD 31%
Switched Nov 2016 to Genvoya due to gastric problems
November 2016 CD4 847 UD 32%

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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  • Posts: 58
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2013, 05:01:44 pm »
THANKS a lot to both of you two!! To be honest, I think, that if I really get into deep, I'm really gonna lose my sleep... ;) Hope that's what doctors are for, to "know instead of you" :(. For now I don't really want to learn details about the virus...

 I just want to say Ann that yours is the greatest forum, I'll take participation in it actively, and start building a signature with my monthly CD4 / VL status here. It's a really nice idea, which members of the forum have taken up. Cheers!
« Last Edit: January 10, 2013, 05:05:53 pm by hiv_positive_BG »

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #11 on: January 11, 2013, 06:35:57 am »
You're welcome BG.

I would advise you to become more knowledgeable about hiv and the treatment you are on. While your hiv doctor should know a lot about hiv, you need to know about it too so you can be your own advocate. Doctors who aren't hiv specialists often don't know very much about hiv so you need to be able to deal with that when you see a non-specialist.

Knowledge is power. You don't have to learn everything all at once, but you DO need to learn about this virus if you're going to be healthy and thrive despite hiv.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!

Ignorance is NOT bliss. Not where hiv is concerned.
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #12 on: January 11, 2013, 07:24:28 pm »
Thanks, Ann, you seem quite wise... I learn the things I need to know, by far. I mean, info about cures, most common facts about the HIV infection, as well as for my meds.

I only wonder - will the effect of "slow recovery" remain throughout the rest of my life? What I mean: I feel that wounds recover slower than before. I had a herpes simplex on my finger, and the place at which it appeared, seems to recover much slower than before... I also find it much harder to fight against dandruff.

Would that change, when my CD4 cells become 500 - 600, or only people with more than 1000 cells could deal with any kind of side effects and diseases as fast and successfully as I used to? As far as I can see from your signatures, most of the patients live with 500 to 700 cells... While the standard number with healthy people  is 1200.

I also wonder one more thing - how dangerous it REALLY is to make bareback sex with other HIV positives? Doctors told me, that there are different varieties of HIV (I found that they are 8 ), so I could end up with more than one variety in my blood.

But does that mean, that my therapy can't fight more than one variety (I guess "strain" is the correct term)?

Can I find out which strain/variety of the HIV I am ill of, as well as which other strains of the HIV infection Norvir, Reyataz and Kivexa can fight against? Because I really love to do it bareback, and some people say, that if I take my therapy strictly and regularly, the chance to become resistant to that particular therapy is quite small - no matter if I do it bareback or not.
« Last Edit: January 11, 2013, 07:33:37 pm by hiv_positive_BG »

Offline ad2san

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2013, 04:51:55 am »
Morning BG Poz  :D

A lot of questions in one post  8)

I only wonder - will the effect of "slow recovery" remain throughout the rest of my life? What I mean: I feel that wounds recover slower than before. I had a herpes simplex on my finger, and the place at which it appeared, seems to recover much slower than before... I also find it much harder to fight against dandruff.

LOL. Well I don't think that HIV goes into the hair  ::) You are somehow nervous that's understandable. Take it easy and don't "over observe" yourself


Quote
Would that change, when my CD4 cells become 500 - 600, or only people with more than 1000 cells could deal with any kind of side effects and diseases as fast and successfully as I used to? As far as I can see from your signatures, most of the patients live with 500 to 700 cells... While the standard number with healthy people  is 1200.

I don't know if a healthy people has 1200 CD4 .... it probably varies from one person to an other. The more CD4 that less chances to get any of HIV related diseases ... I am not talking of flu but very serious condition that mostly leads to death. Some specialist can answer this point better but remember that the goal is to get your VL as low as possible i.e. undetectable (<50 or less depending of the device used to measure it).


Quote
I also wonder one more thing - how dangerous it REALLY is to make bareback sex with other HIV positives? Doctors told me, that there are different varieties of HIV (I found that they are 8 ), so I could end up with more than one variety in my blood.

Well I don't know. One risk that you have by barebacking it transmitting a virus to someone else, less likely if you have a controlled VL but until the contrary is proven not excluded. Getting a new strain when having a controlled VL ? I sincerely don't know. In the doubt, the best and easiest solution is to use condom.

Quote
But does that mean, that my therapy can't fight more than one variety (I guess "strain" is the correct term)?

A virus can get resistant to a CLASS of medication if the medication is not taken correctly, it mutates. Anyone getting that resistant virus is not going to be able to fight it back with this class of medication (or these classes of) ... bad news !!!
If you want infos about resistance (or evaluate the complexity of the topic) have a look here http://hivdb.stanford.edu/index.html

Quote
Can I find out which strain/variety of the HIV I am ill of, as well as which other strains of the HIV infection Norvir, Reyataz and Kivexa can fight against? Because I really love to do it bareback, and some people say, that if I take my therapy strictly and regularly, the chance to become resistant to that particular therapy is quite small - no matter if I do it bareback or not.

I understand you like to bareback but sincerely I don't think it is worth the trouble. Believe me, you can get a lot of ugly diseases because of a weak immune system. Don't forget that there is unfortunately no cure for AIDS .... ART is just a way to block its progression .... that a chance that I personally don't want to mess up with.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2013, 05:32:36 am by ad2san »
Feb   2009 CD4 358 VL 2000 16%
May  2009 CD4 305 VL 3069  14% <---- Started TVD+ATZ/r
Jul  2009 CD4 512 VL <50   18%
Jul 2010 CD4 418 VL <50 24%                     
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Norvir + Reyataz (due to sleep problem)
Aug 2010 CD4 606 VL <50 25%
Jul 2011 CD4 494 UD 23%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Viramune XR (due to kidney problems)
January 2012 CD4 564 UD 31%
January 2013 CD4 594 UD 26%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Isentress due to BIG increase GammaGT
Feb 2013 CD4 699 UD 28%
Aug 2014 CD4 639 UD 25%
Switched January 2015 to Triumeq
May 2015 CD4 807 UD 31%
Switched Nov 2016 to Genvoya due to gastric problems
November 2016 CD4 847 UD 32%

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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  • Posts: 58
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2013, 11:58:22 am »
Thank you a lot for your answers, ad2san !!! I've anticipated them a lot.

Offline newt

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  • the one and original newt
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #15 on: January 13, 2013, 04:18:01 pm »
hmm...

Sex without condoms between two people with HIV on meds is not gonna be an issue, to be honest. In most cases not a problem if one is on meds. Whatever some docs say.

- matt
"The object is to be a well patient, not a good patient"

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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  • Posts: 58
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #16 on: January 14, 2013, 11:11:04 am »
Thanks for the hones answer, matt.... I guess doctors try to save as many lives as possible, that's why exaggerate things... But some other people tell me too, that if you're regular in taking medication, it's not likely to "mess up things" with bareback sex.

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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  • Posts: 58
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #17 on: January 16, 2013, 06:24:06 pm »
Hello again,
After taking the Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa pills for a month, my CD4 cells have raised from 178 to 489 (wow!). That seems good result, there are no problems in my blood count as well.

Yet I wonder something - when the organism starts getting used to those three meds? Would I become resistant to them, if I stop taking them, only after a month of therapy?

I mean, if one tries to spend some time without all those toxic meds, until the CD4 cells fall back to 300 - 350, I guess the correct time would be at the beginning, not after taking the therapy for a long time?

Do you think that these three meds would be ineffective for me, next time I start taking them, if I abrupt the therapy for some time, only 32 days after I've started it?

PS. I'm not abrupting anything yet, I'm just asking... don't know if there is any scientific stuff on this matter. Don't get mad at me just for asking, like my mother did :)

Offline Newguy

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #18 on: January 16, 2013, 08:32:37 pm »
Hello again,
After taking the Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa pills for a month, my CD4 cells have raised from 178 to 489 (wow!). That seems good result, there are no problems in my blood count as well.

Yet I wonder something - when the organism starts getting used to those three meds? Would I become resistant to them, if I stop taking them, only after a month of therapy?

I mean, if one tries to spend some time without all those toxic meds, until the CD4 cells fall back to 300 - 350, I guess the correct time would be at the beginning, not after taking the therapy for a long time?

Do you think that these three meds would be ineffective for me, next time I start taking them, if I abrupt the therapy for some time, only 32 days after I've started it?

PS. I'm not abrupting anything yet, I'm just asking... don't know if there is any scientific stuff on this matter. Don't get mad at me just for asking, like my mother did :)

Toxic meds or a toxic virus? You decide.

Best!

Offline newt

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  • the one and original newt
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #19 on: January 17, 2013, 03:20:39 am »
Very good result

The meds work by suppressing the virus, which allows our CD4 count to recover because the virus is no long attacking them. You need to continue taking the meds to sustain this effect. If you stop the virus will quickly come back to life and your CD4 count will fall again. Also, the inflammation from the virus coming back to life can make you ill, or in rare cases be fatal eg through kidney failure, heart attack.

As long as you take your meds on time nearly all the time the virus will not get used to them, and you can use them for many years, probably more than is long enough to benefit from the next improvement in HIV treatment, and perhaps even a cure.

- matt
"The object is to be a well patient, not a good patient"

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #20 on: January 17, 2013, 02:35:59 pm »
Newguy and newt, thank you sincerely! I continue taking the pills, try to take them with up to 10 minutes difference every day. Cheers!

P.S. - If I could help others on my therapy - I've discovered, that if I have some meat in my breakfast ( a frankfurter, for example), I feel much better throughout the whole day. First I've tried with milk and different dough products, but it's not the same. One needs strong food, and it's best if it has meat in it. That at least works for me!
« Last Edit: January 17, 2013, 02:39:16 pm by hiv_positive_BG »

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #21 on: January 24, 2013, 04:16:25 pm »
Hello again, after I've started taking Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa, I'm quite sure my body started feeling pain much easier. Even if I touch myself a bit harder, that may result in slight pain. Also, my feet (sometimes hands as well) have started aching a bit, though it's not fatal.

I've read that Kivexa, which contains 3TC, could be causing such problems (http://i-base.info/guides/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/changing-treatment-Feb13e.pdf , page 26).

I've started therapy just a month and a half ago, and I fear of changing it... I think that, except the above stated effect, it works well on me and there are no other side effects.

Can you please give me an advice, is there something I could eat, or drink, in order to eliminate or decrease the bone pain effect? For example, drinking milk every day?

Maybe it's good to take longer walks every day, or, the opposite, I should not move too much and not make big physical efforts?

Also, is there any blood test, which could signal me for upcoming/starting bone/nerve problems?
« Last Edit: January 24, 2013, 04:23:14 pm by hiv_positive_BG »

Offline ad2san

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #22 on: January 24, 2013, 05:23:46 pm »
Hi hpbg,

Mmmmm, may be the therapy has too few side effect that you start to "over" diagnostic" yourself  ;)

More seriously, go to the gym! It will certainly help yourself to feel better in your body and the muscle aches will wipe away that feeling you have  :D plus you'll be even more attractive that you already are  ::)

Take care
Feb   2009 CD4 358 VL 2000 16%
May  2009 CD4 305 VL 3069  14% <---- Started TVD+ATZ/r
Jul  2009 CD4 512 VL <50   18%
Jul 2010 CD4 418 VL <50 24%                     
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Norvir + Reyataz (due to sleep problem)
Aug 2010 CD4 606 VL <50 25%
Jul 2011 CD4 494 UD 23%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Viramune XR (due to kidney problems)
January 2012 CD4 564 UD 31%
January 2013 CD4 594 UD 26%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Isentress due to BIG increase GammaGT
Feb 2013 CD4 699 UD 28%
Aug 2014 CD4 639 UD 25%
Switched January 2015 to Triumeq
May 2015 CD4 807 UD 31%
Switched Nov 2016 to Genvoya due to gastric problems
November 2016 CD4 847 UD 32%

Offline Matts

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #23 on: January 24, 2013, 05:35:47 pm »
Don't worry too much:) Everything will be okay.

I thought Reyataz (400mg) is recommended for first time user without Norvir. (?)
Who knows..

Anyway, if you can't tolerate Kivexa, there are many other options.
Good luck
Dovato

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #24 on: January 24, 2013, 05:44:44 pm »
Thank you both for the replies... I don't think I over-diagnose myself, I really feel certain changes, they may be slight, yet they are present...

Truth is I don't do sport and haven't done any throughout whole of my life... maybe that's the reason why such side effects become obvious so fast.

Well I still wonder if any blood test could show "the truth", or I really start imagining stuff... I work at a computer whole day long and I really fear if I couldn't use my hands effectively after some time, or get in a wheelchair... whatever.

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #25 on: January 29, 2013, 07:29:32 pm »
After I've got aches in my feet and hands, now my back started feeling stiff... that lasts for 4 days now. I feel that's because I sweat a lot every night, and I stay with drenched pajamas until I wake up... That means my back and body, generally, are wet a couple of hours every day... Do you have any idea how could I fight sweating/back pain, until it's too late?  :-\

Offline ad2san

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #26 on: January 30, 2013, 01:53:14 am »
Hello pos BG,

You may suffer from recomstitution symptom. Go to see your HIV doc.

Cheeres
Feb   2009 CD4 358 VL 2000 16%
May  2009 CD4 305 VL 3069  14% <---- Started TVD+ATZ/r
Jul  2009 CD4 512 VL <50   18%
Jul 2010 CD4 418 VL <50 24%                     
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Norvir + Reyataz (due to sleep problem)
Aug 2010 CD4 606 VL <50 25%
Jul 2011 CD4 494 UD 23%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Viramune XR (due to kidney problems)
January 2012 CD4 564 UD 31%
January 2013 CD4 594 UD 26%
Switched to Kivexa (Epzicom) + Isentress due to BIG increase GammaGT
Feb 2013 CD4 699 UD 28%
Aug 2014 CD4 639 UD 25%
Switched January 2015 to Triumeq
May 2015 CD4 807 UD 31%
Switched Nov 2016 to Genvoya due to gastric problems
November 2016 CD4 847 UD 32%

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #27 on: February 03, 2013, 03:31:25 pm »
Hello ad2san,
Thanks for your reply! What do you mean by "recomstitution symptom", have you written it correctly? Because I search in Google and find no such phrase...

Now my back has stopped aching, but I'm still sweating every night. Is that related to the symptom you're talking about? Strangely, I've started having headache, most often when I read something in front of the computer screen.. It's not even pain, I feel something like nerve impulses going through my brain... I don't know what it is. But I'm still observing myself...

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #28 on: February 03, 2013, 03:33:46 pm »
Hello ad2san,
Thanks for your reply! What do you mean by "recomstitution symptom", have you written it correctly? Because I search in Google and find no such phrase...

He meant immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline hiv_positive_BG

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  • Posts: 58
Re: Norvir + Reyataz + Kivexa
« Reply #29 on: February 03, 2013, 04:25:51 pm »
Well, Miss Philicia, thanks a lot. IRIS is quite probable, because I've been treated for Mononucleosis just before I start HIV treatment, and I start HIV treatment for the first time.

As it is written in your link - "Though these symptoms can be dangerous, they also indicate that the body may now have a better chance to defeat the infection. The best treatment for this condition is unknown. In paradoxical IRIS reactions, the events will usually spontaneously get better with time without any additional therapy."

I'll ask about IRIS my doctors, when I go to them on February 12th.

I'd like to ask you something - do any of you, taking Norvir, Reyataz and Kivexa, also sweat every night? I'm taking the pills for some month and a half, and I'm sweating since then. But only in the night.

Also, I wonder, if my lymph nodes on the neck and head have been swollen, when I was diagnosed with HIV, and my CD4 cells were 178, do I still have any chances for longer life? Since then my lymph nodes have significantly decreased in size, yet they are still observable on my neck.

Is there any chance for good perspective with me, considering the treatment I've been given and the situation with my lymph nodes and CD4 cells?

 


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