Two weeks in and doing GREAT

[carpediem98]

So, on paper, I started treatment "early" two weeks ago when I started my Truvada+Isentress combo.  My CD4's had fallen off a cliff, my VL had remained steady and low, and (per the ongoing thread re: CD4%), my % had slipped from a stable 22% to 20% then down to 16% even though they were still at around 450 and in the most recent test had gone back up above 500.  But I knew it was time - and I made the choice to start, and it was the BEST choice I could have made.

I feel better than I have felt in well over a year - probably since the period of acute infection last spring.  The leaden feeling in my limbs is gone, I'm so much less irritable, the succession of low-grade "nuisance" illnesses like colds, strep, skin infections, etc. seems to have halted.  I've traveled and been able to stay up and active... now all I have to do is get back in good physical shape (having put on about 30 lbs over the past year while not feeling well) - and find a hot, rich husband. 

I will continue to preach the virtues of Truvada+Isentress.  I've had no side effects to speak of, aside from a little bit of nausea the first two days (15 minutes or so), and a couple of so-mild-they-might-have-been-from-caffeine headaches.  Adherence hasn't been an issue at all (though I slept in today and woke up having missed my appointed time, so I took it an hour late today, which is the first time I've been more than ten minutes off).

Does anyone else have a comparable experience?  I'm so glad that this is what I can report.

[risred1]

Hey, I'm tracking on my own thread on a PI combo, Reyataz, Truvada, Norvir...

After two weeks as well, and seemingly feeling much better, doing better, getting back with it!

Now PI have a rep for being a bit better Immunologically. And Atripla a bit better Viralogically.

We both share Truvada as a component, and Truvada is a component of Atripla.

What is the reputation of Isentress that you are aware of?

Why did you choose Isentress?

Thanks for sharing.

[positivmat]

The one nice thing about this virus for me is that it seems to eat my fat. I now eat whatever I want and I have 42 year old abs of steel. I started atripla 3 months ago. V/L plummeted from 800,000 to 2,994 and cd4 rose from 325 to 544. I feel great and my metabolism has slowly slowed down again. But still abs of steel and no work. After my ARS, I quit lifting weights and haven't started again. Thinking I will just enjoy my new slimmer life.

[carpediem98]

Hi there, Risred and positivmat!

To positivmat - I'll tell you what you can do with your abs of steel with no work, lol.    I have to work very hard - one of the things that sucked for me was that I couldn't work out because I was sick all the time, and my waistline kept growing and growing and growing.  I feel SO much better now and look forward to giving your abs a run for their money.  (Shall we announce the PozAbs Challenge of 2009?) 

Risred - The reason I chose Isentress is that it allows more flexibility in choosing when during the day to take it.  It doesn't HAVE to be taken at bedtime, and it doesn't HAVE to be taken on an empty stomach.  It's still considered "twice a day," pending a couple studies that are likely to show it can be taken once a day.  I also have an aversion to the PI's because of their rotten side effects... Reyataz seems to be better, but the Norvir component still makes me run screaming - the inconvenience of it and the possible side effects send up red flags for me from an adherence point of view. 

Similarly, Atripla has requirements that don't really fit well into my life - it has to be taken at bedtime, because of the neurological/cognitive side effects... and it has to be taken on an empty stomach.  For someone who works a normal 9-to-5, this might be great.  For me, I often work late into the night and can't have the side effects ruining my work. 

Isentress has none of those requirements... obviously, used as a twice-a-day medicine, one dose has to be at night, but because it doesn't cause sleepiness or other side effects that doesn't interfere with my functioning. 

It is shown in studies to work much more quickly than earlier regimens, and most people achieve an undetectable viral load in record time.  I don't know yet if I'm undetectable, but I'll know soon, since they took the blood to find out!  It's basically shown itself to be about as good as Sustiva, with fewer side effects.  In fact, in the studies thus far, it performs slightly BETTER.

It took me a full day of filling in a pro-and-con spreadsheet to figure out what my final decision would be - and I know 100% that I made the right choice for me.

What went into your decision to take your combo?

[risred1]

I always liked the immunilogical boost that PI's seem to have.

The durability of PI's is well documented.

Taking in the morning with breakfast is best for me, because I am frequently a night owl and out of town, I'd be vulnerable to missing doses at night.

The norvir boost is only 100 mg, which is considered a small dose. So after I incorrectly went unboosted Reyataz Truvada, I added norvir to it, because, reyatz/truvada was minimal in its effects.

If I really wanted unboosted, I would have gong Reyataz Epzicom. But the allure of Truvada prooved to strong. I'm hearing great things about Reyataz/Truvada with Norvir, so that's where I ended up and I'm also pretty happy. Once a day seem not enough, because I take supps 2/3 times a day. But I really like one and done and not worrying at night.

Sounds like we both are getting what we were looking for!

;0)

[tag_man08]

Great news.....I felt like a new person as well after two weeks on Isentress/Truvada.  I'm very happy for you.

[positivmat]

You are on carpediem!  Maybe we could do a calendar?  Pozabs!  Seriously, I am looking to tone down the bacon and saturated fats for my heart now. I have really been going hog-wild.
Matt

[veritas]

carpe.

I think your decision was a good one and I'll bet you will be happy with the results.

BRAVO!

v

[Inchlingblue]

I'm starting Isentress/Truvada soon. I got the Rx last week and I am stalling so I have not yet actually filled it, but I will, I know it's for the best.

carpediem: thanks for the inspiration, it helps as far as getting off my butt and filling the Rx. How long after starting meds are you scheduled to have blood drawn? My doctor wanted me to come back in two weeks, which I think is kind of silly and too soon.