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Author Topic: Questions ... is this normal to switch meds so quickly?  (Read 4792 times)

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Offline Damien

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Questions ... is this normal to switch meds so quickly?
« on: October 26, 2006, 05:48:25 pm »
I live in a smaller town and we dont have alot of doctors with HIV experence. The doctor I see is the only doctor that really has experence in HIV care and has a number of HIV patients.

Before I started meds, I asked to have Genotype lab test ran to see what meds would be the best for me to start on. When the results came back the doctor and I went over them and made the choice to start Combivir & Viracept.

After a month on the meds I went in for lab work, once the CBC came back it showed that I was starting to develope anemia. My doctor then reviewed my genotype again and saw that I was resistant to viracept; we quickly stitched to Atripla.

After being on Atripla i got a rash, after a few days it became really bad and I had to go into the urgent care. The next day my doctor again switched my meds ... now I am taking Truvada, Reyataz & Norvir.

Is it normal to be switched between so many meds in less than 40 days?

-Damien


Here is the data ... let me know what you think?

Date         CD4      VL       Comment
02/23/06      302      113,000

05/01/06      441      79,200

07/31/06      326      69,200   Started Night sweats   

08/18/06      283      39,300   Genotype test ordered

09/05/06                  Started Meds:
                     Combivir & Viracept

10/06/06      309      688      Low white blood cell ct
                     2.81 (norm 3.8 - 11.1)
                     + others showing anemia

10/11/06               Changed Meds Started: Atripla
                  Stop Combivir & Viracept

10/23/06               Extreme rash
                  Changed Meds Started:
                  Truvada, Reyataz & Norvir
                  Stop Combivir & Viracept

Offline Lis

  • Member
  • Posts: 604
Re: Questions ... is this normal to switch meds so quickly?
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2006, 06:55:43 pm »
Hey,

I know that this is freakin you out but relax!!! i switched med 4 times in an 18 month period.... I think that i found the one i like.... Dont worry!!! We have choices now ( well sometimes!! LOL) look in the mirror and tell your self how SPECIAL that you are!!!  Hang in there!!

lisbeth
poz 1986....

Offline Razorbill

  • Member
  • Posts: 622
Re: Questions ... is this normal to switch meds so quickly?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2006, 07:05:35 pm »
My first combo lasted two and a half months.  It contained azt and I was sick as a dog.  Came off and started something else (think viracept) and was better.  So yea, it takes some playing around to get it right.

Offline blondbeauty

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  • Posts: 1,787
Re: Questions ... is this normal to switch meds so quickly?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2006, 07:34:17 pm »
As long as you dont develop resiatance you should not worry. There is a combo for you.
The only member in these forums approved by WINBA: World International Nail and Beauty Association.
Epstein Barr +; CMV +; Toxoplasmosis +; HIV-1 +.
Counts when starting treatment:
V.L.:80.200 copies. CD4: 25%=503
Started Sustiva-Truvada 14/August/2006
Last V.L.count (Oct 2013): Undetectable
Last CD4 count (OCT 2013): 52%= 933

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Questions ... is this normal to switch meds so quickly?
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2006, 07:38:50 pm »
Hello Damien,

When I started on meds in 2003, within two months I was switched from Zerit to Ziagen ( of which I am grateful) Shortly after that, the doctor wanted me on Trizivir. So, I tried that for 30 days, and was switched off that after 30 days, it was too difficult to work, and take that med, but I did give it my best shot.  Then of course when Epzicom became available, I switched from the separate doses of Epivir and Ziagen, because it made dosing easier.

Sometimes it takes a little work to get the right effective regemin, with the least amount of side effects.



Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline gerry

  • Member
  • Posts: 522
  • Joined AM Feb 2003
Re: Questions ... is this normal to switch meds so quickly?
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2006, 11:12:28 pm »
Did the doc explain why he recommended Viracept when the initial genotype showed you had resistance to it?  I'd look at it from the positive side: if you had not reacted to the AZT, he may not have revisited the genotype test which showed you had resistance to the Viracept and that could have caused you to develop more resistance to the Combivir and other nukes if you had remained on it longer.  Hope the new combo works.  Sometimes it just takes a while to find the right one.

Offline Blixer

  • Member
  • Posts: 712
Re: Questions ... is this normal to switch meds so quickly?
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2006, 07:35:44 pm »
I had to change after just 17 days.  I only ended up changing one of the meds... but as has already been said, there are choices.   If something isn't working for whatever reason, there are other meds you can try.  I've not been on the same set for 5 months and my doctor told me last  Monday that once you find the combo that works you may be able to continue with it for 10 or more years without a change.  Hope the new sets do what you need them to and don't have any intolerable side effects.
David
Diagnosed 1/9/06
8/27/2007 CD4 598, 29%, VL 58 (72 wks)
11/19/2007 CD4 609, 30%, VL < 50 (84 wks)
2/11/2008 CD4 439, 27%, VL <50 (96 wks)
5/5/2008 CD4 535, 28%, VL <50 (108 wks)
10/20/2008 CD4 680, 28%, VL <50 (132 wks)
Changed to Atripla in 2012
1/14/2013 CD4 855, 35%, VL <40

 


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