Author Topic: 2 1/2 Months After Starting Sustiva/Truvada, Things Looking Up! (Read 4898 times)

AustinWesley · « **on:** May 24, 2007, 09:40:32 am »

Hey Guys,

I've not been on here much as of late.

I got my 2nd set of labs since being on meds. My numbers seem to be going in the right direction still and my CD4 count climbed up some more to 383 and the percent climbed up to 28% from 27 from a month and a half ago.

I don't have the VL test results yet because they did the Ultra Sensitive one which takes longer, but I would assume it's likely undectectable as well. Will post as I find out the info.

All of my other labs have come back completely normal so that was great news and I've been steadily feeling better and less fatigued. I don't have any side effects from the meds so happy about that.

And, on a personal note I'm now dating a new guy so have been having a nice time with him and haven't had so much time to be online ; )

Hope you all are doing well.

Love,

Wesley

Central79 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2007, 10:06:45 am »

Hey Wesley

Nice to hear you doing so well on all fronts! Those numbers are very healthy and the lack of side effects is great.

Congrats on the new boy as well!

Matt.

jimw · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2007, 11:14:53 am »

That is great news. keep it up and welcome back. jim

JPinLA · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2007, 11:30:28 am »

Fantatistic Wesley...good numbers, no side effects and new man..could it be any better! Celebrate!

JP

David_CA · « **Reply #4 on:** May 24, 2007, 11:38:06 am »

It's nice to hear it's working well for you. Hopefully, I'll be undetectable soon. I also have no side effects to mention. I'm hoping that I won't have to change meds anytime soon, as Atripla is SO easy to take (for me). Take care.

David

AustinWesley · « **Reply #5 on:** May 24, 2007, 11:54:17 am »

Hey David,

Glad to hear your numbers have turned around as well. My doctor offered to switch me to Atripla. I just recieved my RX by mail for Sustiva/Truvada so I'll be taking that for the next 3 months anyways. After that I may switch.

From your numbers it appears you've had a sure and steady increase in CD4's and I would imagine your VL will soon hit Undectectable.

I have a scary dental appointment upcoming to remove my 4 wisdom teeth. Yikes! The dentist says they need to go because they are the cause of a slight ongoing infection which could be impacting my numbers somewhat, but he didn't want it to spread. So not looking forward to that apt.

Wesley

egello · « **Reply #6 on:** May 24, 2007, 12:29:43 pm »

Hey Autinwesley,,,

Glad that things are going well for you. Things have been going pretty well for me except for a few side effects. Just wondering,,, so you have NO, none, zip, zero side effects from Atripla?

These are the side effects I get now.

1. Some days, I feel like I am getting punched from inside and feel all flushed.

2. My skin is drying out and has become increasingly itchy with some blotch of redness around my neck.

3. Occasional peripheral neuropathy.

Besides that life is good, I think, except to keep thinking that I have this forever,,, argghh... Ok, let me just save that whining for my therapist.

Peace out

T

AustinWesley · « **Reply #7 on:** May 24, 2007, 12:46:47 pm »

Hey Egg,

No, I don't have any side effects that I notice. I've had some issues with my feet, but I had those problems before ever taking meds, likely because I shattered one years ago and severely sprained the other a couple years back.

I have been doing accupuncture for about a month. I'm not sure if it's any benefit other than I relax from it. I also have been going about once a week for a full body massage which I love.

As far as the meds I take them at night before bed. About the only thing at all I've noticed is sometimes I feel sort of hot for an hour or so, but it's not a big deal.

I've only missed one dose cause I fell asleep early, but took it the next morning right away.

As far as the symptoms you describe I can't say I have any. I've had fatigue ever since I was diag. with HIV; however, as my numbers and % continue to climb I have more energy.

Best of luck to ya!

Wesley

BT65 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 24, 2007, 04:01:14 pm »

Congratulations Wesley! That's great news about your numbers!

Blixer · « **Reply #9 on:** May 24, 2007, 04:10:04 pm »

Great news on the numbers Wesley. It is always so comforting to see that CD4 continue to climb and see that % also going up. It obviously says that your immune system is improving. Thanks for sharing.

bimazek · « **Reply #10 on:** May 24, 2007, 06:16:45 pm »

i am so happy for you that is great since our numbers and time of infect. is about same i have always looked at you as role model, when you needed to go on meds, i felt it as if it was me, and now you are doing well so that gives me hope, and a new man, cool congrats, but tell us is he poz too or a really cool neg guy

one other thing, get a second opinion on that dental surgury, alot is done in dentistry just to pay for the new mercedes the dentist drives, one dentist told me, who stopped practicing, that the only way to make a good living was to do unnecessary work, if they cause you terrible pain that is one thing, if they have not broke thru the skin yet, how exactly can they cause an infection, or at least an infection that is any worse than the constant barrage of bugs the mouth and lungs get hit with every day from breathing kissing eating and such

eventually those four extra molars are a great thing to have if they come in and are functional

congrats on good news

Life · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2007, 08:54:13 pm »

Wes, I am very proud of you!

Love,

Eric

Longislander · « **Reply #12 on:** May 24, 2007, 10:42:03 pm »

Thanks for the update Wes, glad things are going right! Good luck with the new guy~

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #13 on:** May 24, 2007, 11:14:06 pm »

I have a scary dental appointment upcoming to remove my 4 wisdom teeth. Yikes! The dentist says they need to go because they are the cause of a slight ongoing infection which could be impacting my numbers somewhat, but he didn't want it to spread. So not looking forward to that apt.

Wisdom teeth? Yikes!

All the horror stories you hear about having your wisdom teeth out aren't true. It's much much worse. If they give you the option of general anasethetic over local, take general. I had one extracted under local and the anasethetic didn't work and I felt everything.

The pain was excruciating. Also the sound and sensation of the tooth being chiselled from the living bone is fairly gory too.

Be sure that they give you strong antibiotics because you don't want to to end up with blood poisoning or a heart infection, which are not uncommon follow major dental procedures.

Other than that it's not too bad. Sure the stitches take 3 weeks to heal and post operative pain is pretty bad, but decent pain killers should make it almost bearable.

Love ya,

MtD

BT65 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 25, 2007, 12:03:28 am »

Having wisdom teeth out, if done by a reputable oral surgeon, isn't all that bad. I had all four of mine pulled at once and they were impacted. I was on antibiotics before and after the surgery because I have two faulty valves in my heart. But I went back to work the next day. Of course, I was younger then....

StrongGuy · « **Reply #15 on:** May 25, 2007, 02:16:54 am »

Great to hear the good news Wes...very happy for you!

I had two of my wisdom teeth out and it was a breeze. Second time I didn't even get the pain meds prescription -- I just took Advil because th pain meds script (Lodine) was more wretching on my gut than any minor pain I had from the extraction (but don't go by me, definitely get a script for a pain med 'cause it could very well be more painful than what I went through).

Later...

Mike

Nadine · « **Reply #16 on:** May 25, 2007, 06:24:06 am »

Good news on your numbers Wesly!

About those wisdom teeth...are they through the gums? My daughter had all 4 of hers taken out (2 at a time) She had absolutely no problems! They just seemed to pop right out

Not too much pain afterwards either. Good Luck to ya!

budndallastx · « **Reply #17 on:** May 25, 2007, 06:39:49 am »

Wesley -
Congrats on the new numbers !! I am sure the VL will be undectectable so keeping the fingers crossed. I'll be doing my labs next Thursday (May 31) and will post those once their "official".

Glad to hear theres a man in your life. It helps to have someone around to talk to !!

The best advice on the wisdom teeth thing is to be knocked out during the procedure and make sure they give you good drugs for managing the pain. I am not saying you'll need them but it's always good to have them just in case !!

Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend !!

Tom

AustinWesley · « **Reply #18 on:** May 30, 2007, 04:57:56 pm »

Thanks Tom and Everyone,

Finally, I got the VL results after 2 1/2 months on Sustiva/Truvada. They did the Ultra Sensitive Test which I assume is <50 or could be in the range or <20-50 and I am indeed Undectectable.

Had the 2nd apt. with my dentist who also specializes in HIV. I will have 2 of my wisdom teeth out on June 20th. I have only 1 cavity. Anyways, they did the partial teeth cleaning and all went well. I'm not so scared about the other deal now with the big picture.

And, things are still going well with the new person I am dating.

So, things are definitely looking up. I'm feeling much better and less stressed out about the whole ordeal although I'm presently shopping for a better HIV doctor who isn't overbooked and on vacation every other week with a bitch for a nurse. I'm telling ya that nurse should be out of a job and would be more likely suited for a position as a petty home owner association board member.

As far as I know I am legally entitiled to ALL of my medical records immediately so I frankly will NOT be dealing with this petty woman who hoards my records like the damn Hope diamond.

So, anyone in Austin? Love to hear who you might recommend for an HIV doc.

Thanks guys and hope all of you are doing well.

Love,

Wesley

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Author Topic: 2 1/2 Months After Starting Sustiva/Truvada, Things Looking Up! (Read 4898 times)