Author Topic: Switching from Stribild to Atripla (Read 20813 times)

POS07-11-2014 · « **on:** September 17, 2014, 10:02:46 am »

Well, my personal saga continues.

Diagnosed 7-11-2014
First blood results 7-19-2014 CD4 276, viral load 312,000
Started Stribild on 8-14-2014 after resistance test and genotype

Went to ID doctor on 9-9-2014 due to breakout/rash. ID said it looked like a classic drug reaction and to hard stop the Stribild.

Went to ID doctor today and the rash looks "a lot better" so they are switching me to Atripla. I will start tonight.

Still have not taken second cd4 test or viral load. They want me back in two weeks to check in. I pushed and asked for cd4 and viral load at that time as mentally I just need to feel like I am getting better.

I sure hope this is the magic pill for me :-(

mecch · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2014, 10:25:02 am »

OK
Just checking - no previous issues in your life with anxiety or depression?
If in fact yes -- maybe don't start the Atripla and ask for a different combo.
If you really don't have a history of anxiety or depression, then Atripla is great.

Best of luck

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2014, 11:46:38 am »

Mechh,

No previous issues of depression. Not really worried about that at all.

Did notice that the meds are available from Canada in a generic format at a cost a can afford without insurance for years.

I am going to read more about them on here, but it makes the Florida move manageable. :-)

Can't be depressed about the sunshine of home!

bmancanfly · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2014, 12:06:25 pm »

Good luck with the switch.

If you do have problems with the Sustiva portion of Atripla it's simple enough to switch out the Sustiva for another drug. I switched to Nevirapine (Viramune) and Truvada and the psyche side effects went away. Nevirapine is also available as a generic if cost is a factor for you.

Let us know how it goes.

mecch · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2014, 12:22:37 pm »

Quote from: POS07-11-2014 on September 17, 2014, 11:46:38 am

Mechh,

No previous issues of depression. Not really worried about that at all.

Did notice that the meds are available from Canada in a generic format at a cost a can afford without insurance for years.

I am going to read more about them on here, but it makes the Florida move manageable. :-)

Can't be depressed about the sunshine of home!

OK but is there a reason you want to pay for treatment out of pocket?
You aren't eligible for ANY insurance in the US?

Also for my own curiosity, there is a 1 pill (3 drug) generic equivalent of Atripla? This is manufactured where? Surely not in Canada....

bmancanfly · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2014, 12:35:58 pm »

Cipla, from India, has been making Viraday (a generic knock off of Atripla) for years.

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2014, 01:13:10 pm »

Mechh,

I have great insurance now, but me and my partner had plans to quit our jobs and move back home to Florida next July.

I was worried that was not possible because I could not afford $2,700 a month for Stribild, but is looks like I can get a 6 month supply of Cipla's Viraday for about $750 USD.

SO, even if we are slow to find jobs, I can still stay on meds.

buginme2 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2014, 01:13:56 pm »

Quote from: bmancanfly on September 17, 2014, 12:35:58 pm

Cipla, from India, has been making Viraday (a generic knock off of Atripla) for years.

It's not available the United States.

You can try and order it online but the supply and shipping into the us is sketchy at best. I would do your research first.

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2014, 01:28:49 pm »

I have heard that ordering from Canada seems to work, but can get held up in customs. I do plan on researching and I have time.

Thank you for the word of caution!

drewm · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2014, 03:23:18 pm »

The obvious upside to Atripla is that it kicks this virus in the ass as noted by my own numbers.

mecch · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2014, 05:18:03 pm »

Quote from: buginme2 on September 17, 2014, 01:13:56 pm

It's not available the United States.

You can try and order it online but the supply and shipping into the us is sketchy at best. I would do your research first.

This.

It is not a Canadian drug. Just so you know.
Treating HIV is more than drug cost. I encourage you to figure out if you can continue on some insurance throughout you moves.
But yeah, its good to know come hell or high water (Florida.... hmmmm?) you can pay out of pocket for meds.

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2014, 07:16:46 pm »

Mechh,

I do understand that the drug is manufactured in India by Cipla. A very large pharmaceutical and biotech company based in India.

I'm guessing that as long as I buy it through a reputable source, I should be fine.

Why Florida.... We own a house there, my mom lives there and all of my partners family lives there

You are welcome to come visit. If you could see where and how we live there, I think you would like it too....

;-)

mecch · « **Reply #12 on:** September 17, 2014, 07:26:09 pm »

I love florida. I was making bad pun on "come hell or high water" due to fears of climate change and sea levels....

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2014, 07:30:02 pm »

Lol.... It is good to know that if I live long enough, I will have water front property ;-)

emex27 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2014, 06:20:20 pm »

Quote from: POS07-11-2014 on September 17, 2014, 01:13:10 pm

Mechh,

I have great insurance now, but me and my partner had plans to quit our jobs and move back home to Florida next July.

I was worried that was not possible because I could not afford $2,700 a month for Stribild, but is looks like I can get a 6 month supply of Cipla's Viraday for about $750 USD.

SO, even if we are slow to find jobs, I can still stay on meds.

I just got 24 months supply of Cipla's Viraday for $800 USD.....It is actually free if you go to the Government approved hospital every 2 months and Que for 3-6 hours and get documented in about 4-5 different rooms. Sad...and everyone sees you, Stigmatization! The private arrangement works fine for me and I don't need to worry about meds for a while. VL is still ND and CD4 is up to 1,343

mecch · « **Reply #15 on:** September 21, 2014, 03:47:02 am »

Quote from: emex27 on September 20, 2014, 06:20:20 pm

I just got 24 months supply of Cipla's Viraday for $800 USD.....It is actually free if you go to the Government approved hospital every 2 months and Que for 3-6 hours and get documented in about 4-5 different rooms. Sad...and everyone sees you, Stigmatization! The private arrangement works fine for me and I don't need to worry about meds for a while. VL is still ND and CD4 is up to 1,343

You are in Nigeria, correct?

emex27 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 21, 2014, 05:44:42 am »

Yes, I am.

mecch · « **Reply #17 on:** September 21, 2014, 03:29:40 pm »

Great. Good that you have sure access.
I wanted to put that information on location into this thread because people from many countries read this forum but may assume information is applicable to your culture.

Emex27 has this access to this drug at this price through this procedure, in Nigeria.

And the OP POS07-11-2014 should make sure, double check, maybe even try out a purchase, at the hypothetical access and price -- he is planning on using as a backup to securitise a move that might mean the loss of insurance...

emex27 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 21, 2014, 05:19:15 pm »

Yes, I am sorry that I did not mention my location/country in my post. In Nigeria, meds are available at Government Hospitals and some designated private hospital for free once you are registered in the program. But supply is limited to 2-3 months max at a time.

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 21, 2014, 09:21:15 pm »

Yea, I am in the USA.

I would have to get them from a Canadian distributor with pills that come from India.

I like the idea of a try out purchase. I think I will try that after I have been on the meds for a few months to ensure it is working.

I know in the the US there are groups that might help me subsidize the cost, but I make way too much at my current job to qualify and I don't know if I can apply if I just up and quit my job.

It would ease my mind if I had a backup plan just in case I need to. Stopping meds is not an option.

astralvoyage · « **Reply #20 on:** September 24, 2014, 10:37:20 pm »

POS07-11-2014

inbox me. I have some private questions.

Thanks

Jeff G · « **Reply #21 on:** September 24, 2014, 10:42:02 pm »

Quote from: astralvoyage on September 24, 2014, 10:37:20 pm

POS07-11-2014

inbox me. I have some private questions.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum . A introduction might help break the ice .
Also, you must post 3 times before you can send or receive private messages .

Are you HIV positive ?

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 28, 2014, 10:35:57 am »

Well, I had a small rash on Thursday morning. It was on my shoulder blade and about the size of a quarter. Now it has spread and just about covers my shoulder blade and moved around under my arm and to my chest.

I have read about "Atripla Rash" and understand that most try to treat through it. Can anyone share there more recent experiences? I'm really worried and scared as I have now had a negative reaction to both Stribild and Atripla.

It started Thursday and was no big deal so I didn't call my ID. Now it has spread quite a bid.

Really could use some advice and support here, please.

Ptrk3 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 28, 2014, 11:26:16 am »

If the rash has tiny blisters on it and is unilateral (just one side of your body, meaning right side or left side), and is at least somewhat painful, make sure that it is not shingles (if you ever had chicken pox). I would at least talk to your ID doctor soon, just to make sure.

buginme2 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 28, 2014, 11:45:15 am »

If it is an Atripla rash take a Benadryl.

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 28, 2014, 01:30:19 pm »

I took 2 Benadryl last night and the rash is getting worse :-(

Grasshopper · « **Reply #26 on:** September 28, 2014, 02:20:07 pm »

Quote from: Ptrk3 on September 28, 2014, 11:26:16 am

If the rash has tiny blisters on it and is unilateral (just one side of your body, meaning right side or left side), and is at least somewhat painful, make sure that it is not shingles (if you ever had chicken pox). I would at least talk to your ID doctor soon, just to make sure.

Quote from: POS07-11-2014 on September 28, 2014, 01:30:19 pm

I took 2 Benadryl last night and the rash is getting worse :-(

!

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 28, 2014, 02:40:15 pm »

Grasshopper,

I called my ID office. No call back yet. I'm going there no matter what tomorrow!

Pos

buginme2 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 28, 2014, 02:53:59 pm »

It doesn't sound medication related.

You started with a pretty suppressed immune system with a cd4 % of 9. Could very well be some IRIS issues flaring up. It's probably nothing. Let your dr know.

If it was shingles as someone else suggested it would hurt..badly.

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 29, 2014, 12:47:38 pm »

Damn...this has a tough beginning to my fight against this virus. My doctor said IRS issues with my ART working well have caused a shingles episode. She prescribed valacylclovir three times a day.

My ID says I must have an incredible threshold for pain. I told her that I didn't want any pain meds.

She drew blood to check liver and kidneys, but will not check cd4 and viral load for another month as the shingles will cause havoc on my numbers.

:-( very discouraged.

buginme2 · « **Reply #30 on:** September 29, 2014, 01:19:23 pm »

Don't be discouraged. The IRIS issues means that your meds are working.

Just think your immune system was damaged so badly it couldn't react to the infection previously.

Ptrk3 · « **Reply #31 on:** September 29, 2014, 01:27:57 pm »

When I had shingles, for the first day or two it did not hurt, just quarter sized splotches on one side of my body--from lower back on right side wrapping around my right front thigh. By the third day, the little blisters came and it became painful, not as bad as some seem to say (unless I have a high pain threshold), but definitely uncomfortable. You just need to have it checked out to rule shingles out.

Ptrk3 · « **Reply #32 on:** September 29, 2014, 02:11:39 pm »

FYI: on shingles, from AIDSMEDS:

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Shingles_6798.shtml

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #33 on:** September 29, 2014, 04:40:31 pm »

Doc says definitely shingles.

I'm just frustrated and discouraged that I thought I would take a pill daily and be ok. Turns out, the meds can cause problems even after vetted through the genotyping process. I get it, side effects could happen, but mine were severe. Now, I get on another pill and almost instantly, I develop shingles.

I just want to feel good again. I am sad that this is my new normal :-(

Just feeling sorry for myself.

Ptrk3 · « **Reply #34 on:** September 29, 2014, 05:14:32 pm »

Sorry to hear about your shingles, but good that it is diagnosed. If given a specific treatment within 72 hours, the effects can be reduced--but I don't know where you are in the timeline. Anyone can get shingles who has had chicken pox, but HIV positives may get it more since their immune system is weakened. I did not know I was HIV positive when I had my first outbreak four years ago.

I was diagnosed in 2013, immediately on Atripla, and had a second shingles outbreak about six weeks ago, same place, but not as bad as the first time (which seems to be the case if people get it again).

But, as buginme2 pointed out, if it is an IRIS-related breakout, at least you know the Atripla is working. Don't be discouraged. You'll be fine.

Grasshopper · « **Reply #35 on:** October 03, 2014, 03:55:13 am »

Quote from: Grasshopper on September 28, 2014, 02:20:07 pm

!

Quote from: POS07-11-2014 on September 29, 2014, 12:47:38 pm

Damn...this has a tough beginning to my fight against this virus. My doctor said IRS issues with my ART working well have caused a shingles episode. She prescribed valacylclovir three times a day.

My ID says I must have an incredible threshold for pain. I told her that I didn't want any pain meds.

She drew blood to check liver and kidneys, but will not check cd4 and viral load for another month as the shingles will cause havoc on my numbers.

:-( very discouraged.

A shingle attack is a pain in the a$$ . Hope you feel better soon

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #36 on:** October 03, 2014, 10:29:49 am »

Thank you. I was about 96 hours in before getting treatment.

It is painful, but honestly not unbearable.

I hope I do too. So far, this sucks...

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #37 on:** October 08, 2014, 08:50:42 pm »

Hey everyone,

Update.... The shingles breakout fully scabbed over and now the scabs are coming off. My shirt pulling the scabs hurts, but I know this is part of the healing process.

Now is where I understand what folks meant by painful. I am back to work trying to deal with and I think I am doing ok.

I leave for China (Hong Kong) for work in 10 days. My ID wants me to get a flu shot before I go. With everything I have been through so far, I want to ask if anyone on Atripla or HiV had any negative reactions after a flu shot?

I kind of have to go for work, so not going is not a good option for me.

I will be back on Novemeber 6th and will get my blood draw on 11/11. I am excited for the results. I NEED some good news!!!!

Jeff G · « **Reply #38 on:** October 08, 2014, 08:55:26 pm »

You should do just fine with the flu shot ... its important, get that shot .

drewm · « **Reply #39 on:** October 08, 2014, 09:39:20 pm »

I'm with Jeff, get that flu shot

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #40 on:** October 09, 2014, 06:41:34 pm »

I'm getting it tomorrow. Wish me luck 😁

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #41 on:** November 14, 2014, 06:44:46 pm »

So, I am back from Hong Kong and had my blood draw on Wednesday. I have not received my viral load yet, but I did my cd4 count and percent and good news, my cd4 count is up to 447 from 276 and my cd4% is up from 9% to 17%.

I am excited for Monday now!

harleymc · « **Reply #42 on:** November 15, 2014, 05:37:15 am »

Good to see your most recent results, after a bumpy start you're heading in the right direction.

Can you send a few of those cd4 s my way

zach · « **Reply #43 on:** November 15, 2014, 06:00:01 am »

dude that is fucking awesome! so glad to hear you've responded so strongly.

you've got this downhill from here

mission assignment

somewhere, laying around your place, wherever you tossed it when you opened the package, there was indeed a writing pen inside. only it won't write. it is somewhat transparent. look closely inside. what is that? remove the end of the pin, it pulls right off. tap the open end of the pen on a hard surface, treasure inside should slide right out.

huh? no he didn't! really? yeah? who loves ya baby? should be fine for the wait, it was fresh, probably nicely dried by now. it was high grade.

so get out in nature, enjoy the treasure, reminisce about your travels, toast your good health and happiness. count your blessings brother

and hey man, give us something simple, what do we call you? does just pos07 work for you?

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #44 on:** November 15, 2014, 08:06:49 am »

Lol... I just went rummaging through my junk drawer at home and guess what I found! A pen that doesn't write!

Thank you again Zack.

Call me Pos07 works great with me.

zach · « **Reply #45 on:** November 15, 2014, 09:40:08 am »

i'm serious, take that, make it a ceremony, go sit down somewhere peaceful and quiet, think about how far you've come so quickly, positive empowered thoughts

447 17% UD

strong numbers, meditate

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #46 on:** November 15, 2014, 02:31:36 pm »

God, I hope you are right about UD. I won't know until Monday.

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #47 on:** November 17, 2014, 05:14:39 pm »

Not undetectable yet, but I went from a viral load of over 312,000 to 326 in 4 months! UD here I come!

POS07-11-2014 · « **Reply #48 on:** April 29, 2015, 08:10:50 pm »

Hey everyone,

Wanted to update the group on my progress.

I received my latest lab results and thanks to Atripla, I am now Undetectible!

My viral load on 4/24 was UD, my cd4 count was 407 and my CD 4% was 23%.

My cholesterol is improving and my liver function is great! The only negative report was that my phosphorus level was low. My ID added a new prescription to help with that, but so happy with my progress!

Thank you all for the support and guidance!

OneTampa · « **Reply #49 on:** April 29, 2015, 09:04:38 pm »

Congratulations on your great progress!!

Forums Index

Welcome

Author Topic: Switching from Stribild to Atripla (Read 20813 times)