Least amount of side effects

[Betelgeuse]

I'm sorry if this topic's been discussed.  I've used the search function and haven't found what I'm looking for.

I'm about to start a regimen soon.  I told the my doctor that convenience (something you'd get from a medication like Atripla) is not a factor.  My only concern is minimizing side effects.

I know everyone reacts to meds differently.  But, in general, is there a combination of medication that has the least likelihood of side effects?  I'm particularly sensitive to nausea.

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

[Hellraiser]

I'm sorry if this topic's been discussed.  I've used the search function and haven't found what I'm looking for.

I'm about to start a regimen soon.  I told the my doctor that convenience (something you'd get from a medication like Atripla) is not a factor.  My only concern is minimizing side effects.

I know everyone reacts to meds differently.  But, in general, is there a combination of medication that has the least likelihood of side effects?  I'm particularly sensitive to nausea.

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

I've never tried but the general consensus is that Isentress + Truvada is the combination with the slimmest side effect profile for most people.  It's a twice daily (12 hours apart) dosing schedule, which is basically impossible for me.  If you do shift work or work long hours this needs to be the most important part of your day as missing doses of HIV medication can cause resistance and require a change of medication.  I would strongly recommend to anyone who has the slightest lack of confidence in their ability to take medications on time to go with a less stringent and once daily regimen.  Atripla has it's ups and downs but is not the only once daily combo out there, it's just the only one in a single pill.

[Hoover]

My partner and I started our meds 2 and 4 months ago.
Within the first month my partner was undetectable, but we have not seen his other labs.
(We should see them next week)
My labs will not be done for another two months.... Red tape.

We are on Efavirenz and Tavin-EM (sustiva and Truvida) which we take before bed.
The first week my partner had rash from the sustiva but that went away quickly.
He felt groggy for the first two weeks upon waking.
Now he says he feels great and doesn't complain about any side effects.

I never had any issues and slept really well the first two weeks.
Now I feel fine and my lymph nodes are not swollen.
After feeling bad for months, it is a relief to finally feel normal again.

In our country we get the Efavirenz from the health system.
We buy the tavin-EM (Truvida) from India for about $900 a year per person.
Affordability and availability are what we took into consideration for our own needs.

Everyone is different, what works with one person may not work well with another.

I can't imagine being able to keep up with taking pills 12 hours apart.
Downing two pills before bed is an easy thing for us to remember.

Good luck and find what works best for you!

[buginme2]

I wish people would stop freaking about side effects before they even start.  The bark is worse than the bite.  I would start on Atripla. Over 90% of people that take it do fine.  Why fret?

[rocky48]

I just found out on the 24th that my dizziness I thought was from Atripla was one on my blood pressure meds. So, the doc had me stop that med and now I am fine. No side effects from Atripla. Maybe I am just lucky. Doc said, only about 10% of people have bad side effects from Atripla.

[antibody]

Fuck Atripla!! I say go with Reyataz Norvir and Truvada. It's once a day and I've had zero side effects thus far.

[phildinftlaudy]

Different strokes for different folks - it's good that we have options -- took a lot of time and a lot of LTSers who walked the road before us.

I'll stick with my Atripla - but definitely respect that it isn't for everyone.

[emeraldize]

Hi B,

I wanted something that didn't risk side effects and most important, could assure I would waken (if need be for an emergency) with a very clear head. And, like you, I could forego the convenience of once-daily dosing to achieve that. Consequently, I chose Isentress/Truvada and haven't regretted it thus far. It's been about 8 months.

Em

[J.R.E.]

Hi,

Overall, I think I've done pretty well with Viramune and Epzicom. Neither of these medications has caused Nausea, diarrhea , or constipation, and the side effects have been minimal. they can be taken with or without food, But I prefer to take them with food.

I started on these meds in 2003, It was my first regimen.  I am 59 years of age, still work full time, and have been HIV positive since 1985.

Make sure to discuss all your options with your doctor, and the possible side effects of the medications that you will on.  Make sure to write down, and ask,  all questions you may have for your doctor.


Ray 

[J.R.E.]

Just wanted to add, when I started on meds in 2003, I sat down with the doctor in his office, and we discussed all the possible medications at that time, and the possible side effects..  That discussion took at least an hour, if not longer. Don't be afraid to ask questions!!



Good Luck---Ray

[eric48]

Just like Ray, I am on V & K

complete report here:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=33062.0

Now there there 2 types of SE

- A - those that may appear at initiation (1-2 first weeks up to 12 weeks depending on meds and  SE in question) and that may , if very adverse require an immediate switch
- B - those that may appear on the long term (rise in TG, cholesterol, what have you)

Concerning A it seems to me kind of a lottery : one can have very adverse SE on anotherwise very well accepted combo: bad luck. If the side effect are too severe, or life threatening, you doc may or will switch.
A good number of type A side effect will decay with time.
While you may want to discuss these in details with your doc, there is in fact not a patient profiling that would determine a better combo than another. I&T seems to be very easy to take for most people, still, some few in this forum just could not stand it.

Concerning B , on the other hand, you may have a 'profile' (age, cholesterol, diabetes, etc.) that would more or less guide you more towards one combo rather than one other.

There are combos that have a higher type A risk profile and lower B type risk profile, other that will be easier to initiate on, but may lead to longer term complications (here again depending on your profile)

In that respect, risk management is not easy...

If I may comment on the one combo I take (viramune + Epzicon aka Kivexa), my risk analysis (relative to my own profile) was that it was a higher risk on A (short term) and lower risk on B.

Those who have tried it (and have suffered from adverse initial) SE, simply loathe it
Those who have successfully passed the initial adjustment period, simply love it 

The adjustment period may be short, but also rather long (myself 6-12 months ?)

Also, please kindly bear in mind that going on med is a 'lifetime' commitment (well, not exactly...It is a commitment until either you leave this world OR a cure is found) but NOT the choice of combo. there are a lot a switch strategies that are proven successful and efficient and are used for the sake of treatment simplification / cost/ etc.

Hope this helps

Eric

[sharkdiver]

Fuck Atripla!! I say go with Reyataz Norvir and Truvada. It's once a day and I've had zero side effects thus far.

Unfortunately for me, this combo put me in the hospital for extended periods of time three times due to pancreatitus.  You never know how your body will respond, especially over extended periods of time.  But it does beat the alternative.