POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: AaronbytheC on August 18, 2010, 01:17:35 pm
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Well I think I may have pulled the trigger a little premature. After my first labs came in at 307 I sorta freaked and asked for a genotype right away to be ready for HAART. Once the genotype came back I asked my doc to write my prescription (she choose Atripla) so I'd be ready once my second labs came in. I honestly expected them to still be low even though she was confident we'd see a big bounce so I sent in my prescription to be filled so I could get started.
Well she was right and my CD4's came in way higher then I could have hoped for. :o While I'm still at the threshold of where many are now recommending to start HARRT, my doc is recommending I wait another month to see what my labs look like and I totally agree with her. ;D
Now hear is the issue, the Atripla is set up to auto refill every 27 days from an online pharmacy. The first bottle I got says it's good until Dec/2012 so I don't think I'll have issues with it going bad before I use it. I've seen many posts here from people with far more experience than I have recommending that we build a supply of meds for a "rainy day", but how much is too much? I'm thinking I'll let it refill one more time, shortly after that I'll have my third set of labs. If I choose to start at that point I'll have a nice reserve build up, if my numbers justify not starting HAART I can always donate the Atripla to someone who needs it right?
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Assuming you will be taking Atripla, it never hurts to have a couple months worth in reserve. However, if you decide to not start meds, after your labs, I would suggest you cancel the prescription. Assuming you have decent medical coverage, that includes meds, you will be able to obtain your drugs, when and if you need them. As for donating any extra drugs you might have, you should contact your local ASO. In the US, it is illegal to give medications from one person, to another, without a prescription. That's why you call the ASO, they will know if any "compassionate use" drug programs are available.
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What Killfoile said sounds good. I'll add that if you decide to not start meds, and I think it's a good idea to wait for now, then you should keep your stash for six or eight months before donating it, in case you change your mind later.
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Husband counts out an equal number of old pills every month from the emergency stash and replaces them with the new pills so that his emergency stash never gets to old. He has had a high of nearly 90 pills and a low of 3 pills in reserve depending on what issues have cropped up with coverage.