Anti-retroviral?

[HIV? poz about being neg]

Is anti-retroviral a cocktail or haart or can you just take an anti-retroviral on its own to lower the VL? My CD4 is doing good...so I'm just looking for information about the VL I have been told supplements do nothing for it so searching for other options to get the VL down with out having to go on damaging drugs

[Matty the Damned]

Poz,

Anti-retroviral drugs must be taken in particular combinations to be effective. This is usually three or more drugs. Taking one drug on it's own (monotherapy) or two (duotherapy) will lead to viral resistance. It's better not to take the drugs at all than to take them improperly.

MtD

[HIV? poz about being neg]

Thank you thats what I thought as well but wasn't sure.

[Matty the Damned]

Poz,

It's my pleasure. If you're considering starting HAART perhaps you might like to read our treatment lessons section if you haven't already.

MtD

[redhotmuslbear]

I have been told supplements do nothing for it so searching for other options to get the VL down with out having to go on damaging drugs

Supplement don't "do nothing."  They can support a healthy immune system and protect and fortify the body against certain types of damage, and they can burn a big hole in your purse.  They cannot, however, kill HIV.

That being said, get the notion of "damaging drugs" out of your head.  Aspirin and acetominophen can be far more dangerous to anyone than newer HIV meds.  Sure, even the nicer ones can affect kidney and liver function over time, but that's why you make certain that your doctor orders certain labs on a regular basis!

Cheers,
David

[aztecan]

Hey Poz,

David makes a good point. Any drug can cause problems. Tylenol can cause as much liver damage as the ARVs.

Some supplements can help augment health, such as fish oil to help keep triglycerides in the blood down.

But they are no substitute for the meds.

HUGS,

Mark

[J.R.E.]

...so I'm just looking for information about the VL I have been told supplements do nothing for it so searching for other options to get the VL down with out having to go on damaging drugs

I can only tell you that those"damaging drugs" saved my life back in 2003. Without them, there is no doubt in my mind that I would be typing this message right now. Yes, the drugs have side effects, and yes, it can vary from one person to the next. I had very little problem with the meds. As the others have already stated, supplements are not a substitute for the antiretrovirals.

As far as the meds : ( Preferred regemins )

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/hiv-treatment-recommendations


Ray