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Author Topic: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!  (Read 18695 times)

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Offline WillyWump

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Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« on: August 31, 2009, 02:23:37 pm »
DAMMIT! Just got my results this morning (CD4 -520, Vl- 1460) and after 4 months on Atripla my Vl is increasing and Doc says Atripla is failing and I need to change to new regimin. Doc says I had no resistances so she believes I have missed doses. I dont believe that to be the case, I am fastidious about taking my pill and am certain I havent missed any doses and always have taken it within 30 minutes of the target time of 9pm every night. But i guess the numbers don't lie and regardless I have to change to a new regimin of Prezista, Truvada and Norvir.

I was so happy with my effortless 1 pill a night Atripla and now will ahve to go to 6 pills a day with my new regimin. *sigh*  :(

Could this be a "Blip"? Could she be wrong about wanting to switch me so soon?

She wants me to stop Atripla today ( to avoid building resistance)even though it may take 3 or 4 days to get my new meds. But now I'm wondering if I should insist to go another couple of months on Atripla to see what happens???

Any thoughts?



-Will
« Last Edit: September 02, 2009, 10:43:33 am by WillyWump »
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline tony_wdc20001

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2009, 05:17:23 pm »
Will,

I am fairly new to this but looking at your viral load prior to your Atripla, it looks as if it was very effective.  So is it my understanding that if your viral load goes up slightly the meds are no longer effective?

Could your doctor do a genotype to see if indeed your virus has develop a resistant to the meds? 

I'm on Truvada/Viramune but my doctor said I had to take my meds with 1-2 period, you are taking yours within 30 minutes--this is very discouraging news if indeed you do need to take your meds at the same exact time each day.

I hope your recent reports are indeed a Blip.

Best,
Tony
-------
05/08 - Tested negative (oral)
09/08 - Tested negative (blood)
02/09 - Flu-like symptoms
02/09 - Tested negative (blood)
07/09 - Tested positive (blood)
07/30/09 - CD4 147 (12%),  VL 40803
08/13/09 - Started Viramune/Truvada (1 tablet each 1x day)
08/23/09 - Increase Viramune (1 tablet 2x day)
09/09/09 - CD4 380 (22%), VL 207
10/05/09 - CD4 441 (24%), VL 90
10/27/09 - CD4 479 (26%), VL 111
12/16/09 - CD4 455 (31%), VL 50
02/24/10 - CD4 646 (32%), VL undetectable
06/14/10 - CD4 590 (30%), VL undetectable

Offline mecch

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2009, 05:51:30 pm »
Obviously, follow the doctors directions.  But if you cant reestablish trust that you followed your regimen 100%, and she says no, you should think about changing doctors.
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline confidentIwillbeOK

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2009, 06:06:47 pm »
Please let us know what you decide to do.  I am curious what the experts think about Will's numbers...does 525 to 1,460 really indicate failure or is it within the range of variability that one would expect?  Doesn't the increase of CD4 mean something positive?

Is your doctor an Infectious Disease specialist with expertise in HIV or a PCP? 

If you don't use one maybe start using a weekly pill-box to prove to yourself (and doc) that you are 100% compliant? This is the thing that freaks me out...not having a system that will prove to myself that I have taken every pill.

Anyway, hang in there.  If you do switch but did not have a resistance issue is it possible to go back on Atripla down the road?

Steve

Offline BlueMoon

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2009, 06:20:17 pm »
Maybe retest?
It's a complex world

Offline BM

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2009, 07:28:51 pm »
I was also suspected to have missed doses when my first combination failed (Viramune and Kivexa (Epzicom)). It's very frustrating when you've been clinical in observing dosage times! In the end they concluded that I must have had archived resistance; that is, I was infected with a drug-resistant strain of the virus that only showed up once I started therapy.

Offline GNYC09

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2009, 08:05:13 pm »
I wonder what happened.   :-\ 
Are you on high levels of any herbs such as St. John's Wort?

Offline madbrain

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2009, 08:17:26 pm »
DAMMIT! Just got my results this morning (CD4 -520, Vl- 1460) and after 4 weeks on Atripla my Vl is increasing and Doc says Atripla is failing and I need to change to new regimin. Doc says I had no resistances so she believes I have missed doses. I dont believe that to be the case, I am fastidious about taking my pill and am certain I havent missed any doses and always have taken it within 30 minutes of the target time of 9pm every night. But i guess the numbers don't lie and regardless I have to change to a new regimin of Prezista, Truvada and Norvir.

I was so happy with my effortless 1 pill a night Atripla and now will ahve to go to 6 pills a day with my new regimin. *sigh*  :(

Could this be a "Blip"? Could she be wrong about wanting to switch me so soon?

She wants me to stop Atripla today ( to avoid building resistance)even though it may take 3 or 4 days to get my new meds. But now I'm wondering if I should insist to go another couple of months on Atripla to see what happens???

Any thoughts?

I find that reaction from your doc a bit surprising. It has only been 3-4 months since you started Atripla. Your CD4 absolute count and percentage are both going up. Only your VL is not undetectable yet, but it's still low even though it's slightly higher than the last test. Some people take longer than 4 months to go to undetectable. I would get a second opinion before stopping the med.

I also second the suggestion to use a pillbox to make sure you aren't missing any doses, if you aren't already using one.

Offline Rev. Moon

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2009, 08:37:26 pm »
I am quite surprised by your doctor's reaction.  The VL may have increased, but it was not a drastic jump.   The drop you experienced from when you started was more significant.  Plus, you had an increase in CD4 (absolute and % wise).  It doesn't sound to me like failure.  Can you perhaps get a second opinion?

Best of luck!
"I have tried hard--but life is difficult, and I am a very useless person. I can hardly be said to have an independent existence. I was just a screw or a cog in the great machine I called life, and when I dropped out of it I found I was of no use anywhere else."

Offline WillyWump

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2009, 09:05:00 pm »
Thanks for the responses.

Here are some answers to your questions...

No, I am not taking any disallowed supplements. I am taking a Multivitamin and some extra Vitamin c, Vit B12 and Omega 3.

My doctor is part of a large HIV clinic here in San Antonio and from what I understand has been practicing for many years, and has many patients. So I guess there is no room to question her.

I use an alarm on my phone that goes off at 8:45pm and then 9pm, I also use a pill box and count my pills to ensure that I havent missed any. Of course now I am wondering if even that failed me :-\ I thought I was so diligent in my pill taking and was so proud of my adherence.... I guess in the scheme of things it's POSSIBLE that I may have missed one dose, but I would bet my life that I have missed no more than that.

I was so taken aback today that I failed to ask her about the possibility of getting retested immediately or getting a resistance test, or asking her if it was possible this was just a blip. But now I am under the gun in that she told me to stop the Atripla immediately, tonite, to avoid building any (more) resistance. I did place a call to her office this afternoon and spoke to a nurse regarding my concern that it may be a blip, the nurse said she would forward the message to her but in the meantime stated to follow the doctors instructions and do not take any more Atripla. I feel like there is not enough time to get a second opinion (during which I would have to conitune Atripla on my own accord and risk building a resistance)

So I guess I will just have to put my faith in her and give up on the Atripla whether it is a blip or not. I am so disgusted and hate to second guess my doctor but I am very confused about why this has happened.

BM- "archived resistance" is very interesting to, I wonder if that is what happened in my case???

I guess another lesson has been learned today, that is to always stay focused during face to face with your doc and ASK questions before you leave the office. It sounds elementary but sometimes it is difficult to do

BTW, I also posted this scenario to Dr. Gallant on the Johns Hopkins forum to see what his take is on this, I will let you know what he says.

-Will ( who will be upset at intentionally missing his Atripl atonite)
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline sdguyloveslife

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2009, 10:57:34 pm »
I find that reaction from your doc a bit surprising. It has only been 3-4 months since you started Atripla. Your CD4 absolute count and percentage are both going up. Only your VL is not undetectable yet, but it's still low even though it's slightly higher than the last test. Some people take longer than 4 months to go to undetectable. I would get a second opinion before stopping the med.

I also second the suggestion to use a pillbox to make sure you aren't missing any doses, if you aren't already using one.

I agree with madbrain. 

My viral load spiked at one of my visits and I started to worry - I have been absolutely 100% adherent, so I knew that missed doses were not the problem and I told this to my doctor.  My doctor looked into it a little more and discovered that this particular blood sample was sent to a different lab, and the assay used was different - which explained the "discrepancy" in viral load.  I was like you, in that my CD4 and % had increased - so, my immune system was getting stronger. 

I would encourage you to get a second opinion or retest.  Changing meds seems pretty drastic from one "blip" and no proof of resistance from a genotype study.  I find it strange that your doctor "insists" you've missed doses when you know otherwise.  That's practically calling you a liar, isn't it? 

Trust is a two-way street, and since this is a life-long condition, we need to develop strong and solid relationships with our doctors.  I completely trust my doc (I tell him he's the best doc I've ever had!), and my evidence that he trusts me was that when I told him I was 100% adherent, he did a little digging to prove me right! 
Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.

Offline physicsguy

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2009, 11:14:19 pm »
Frankly, if my doctor ever suggested immediately stopping meds based on one number that isn't even particularly bad, I would be seriously questioning whether I wanted to remain in their care.
Quote
So I guess there is no room to question her.
Of course there is.  Her suggestion is based on very little evidence and if it is just a blip, her suggestion to stop immediately could lead to resistance that may not actually be there.  I would, at a minimum, continue with the regimen and demand a new test (but I'm not you or your doctor and that's a decision you'll have to make for yourself).
« Last Edit: August 31, 2009, 11:20:31 pm by physicsguy »

Offline YaKaMein

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2009, 11:55:58 pm »
Consider:
 Discussing all your options again with your doctor,
 Insisting on ruling out drug resistance with [genotype] testing before stopping Atripla,
 Seeing another infectious disease physician for a second opinion,  and
 Don't second guess yourself, if you're sure that you've not missed a single, daily pill,
then .... trust what you know, yourself!

Let us know how this progresses, -YaKa
09/11 Endocrine Consult
08/11 CD4 328 14.9% VL 0
 Disc'd Bactrim DEXA -3.1 Tscore
03/11 CD4 338 14.7% VL 0
11/10 CD4 300 14.3% VL 0 <20copies
07/10 CD4 336 14.0% VL 0 DEXA -2.7 Tscore
03/10 CD4 308 13.4% VL 0 Vit D normal
01/10 Began FOTO
11/09 CD4 274 13.7% VL 0 Chol 173 Trig 131
07/09 CD4 324 13.5% VL 0 DEXA -3.1 Tscore lumbar
03/09 CD4 207 10.9% VL 0
11/08 CD4 227 10.3% VL 0 Chol 176 Trig 156
04/08 CD4 228 9.5% VL 0
01/08 CD4 194 9.0% VL 0
09/07 CD4 176 8.3% VL 0
03/07 CD4 130 9.5% VL 0 Chol 261  Trig 227
12/06 CD4 109 6.4% VL 0
09/06 CD4  88 5.5% VL und desens'd rtd to Bactrim
08/06  Began Atripla
07/06 CD4  59 5.0% VL 145 Chol 117 Trig 104
06/06  Bactrim rash, X2 Dapsone
 EFV & Truvada Chol 128 Trig 131
05/06 CD4  6 (2.0%) VL 78667 only V179D mutation Dx PC MAC

Offline Inchlingblue

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2009, 12:34:20 am »
The new combo is a good one, and while it may not be as convenient as Atripla, it might be better than Atripla in other ways. Still, it would be good to know if you really do have resistance to Atripla or not.  

If she believes you did develop resistance to Atripla (which she seems pretty sure of based on her strategy), then why is she going with Truvada in the new combo? Is she assuming the resistance is to Sustiva? If the (supposed) resistance is to Truvada then you would essentially be on boosted Prezista monotherapy, which actually works for some people but it would make taking Truvada unnecessarily toxic & superfluous.

I'm curious to see what Gallant says.

 
« Last Edit: September 01, 2009, 01:16:10 am by Inchlingblue »

Offline Robert

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2009, 01:13:04 am »

willy.

first of all, don't let your Dr cast doubt on you and, rather, sow the seed of self-doubt.  If you took your pill, you took the pill.  That's it.  Period. If your Dr. doesn't beleive you, well, that's her problem (and it could be a potential problem between the 2 of you.)  God knows the friggin' virus works with our bodies in mysterious ways so we don't need our Dr playing with our minds.  We get enough of that

Second, after some unexpected result in a test, she wants to change?  What's the rush?  Tell her to take a second test to reconfirm. Yes, it could be a blip.  I certainly  don't think it's a significant increase. 

So, yeah, tell her to back off.  Tell her you'll feel more comfortable if she would just take her time.

good luck kiddo...your friend in California.
..........

Offline physicsguy

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #15 on: September 01, 2009, 01:57:33 am »
Quote
If she believes you did develop resistance to Atripla (which she seems pretty sure of based on her strategy), then why is she going with Truvada in the new combo?
Good catch.  I was so stunned that the doctor would make what seems like such a hasty, uninformed decision that I missed that she was recommending truvada, which doesn't even begin to make sense.

In that case I would change my advice to you from demanding a new test to demanding a new doctor, because what she's doing is incredibly baseless and irresponsible (unless of course she ordered the genotype test earlier and is using that).

Don't let this person play games with your life just because she has "MD" after her name.

Offline newt

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #16 on: September 01, 2009, 03:26:34 am »
what eveery one else said

There is room always to question your doc however eminent

2 tests is not a trend, viral load varies by a a factor of 3, so 500 could easiliy be somewhere between 160 and 1500, and 1500 somewhere between 500+ etc. You need 3 tests to get an idea what's really happening.

I would get another viral load test and a resistance test at the same time and decide, resistance is sometimes hidden and only comes out when treatment is used.

The alternative is of course just to switch, the reistance is most likely to be to the efavirenz in Atripla, so the Truvada remaining is probably ok, but you need a resistance test to find out.

I agree with her caution but the choice of what to do is yours.

- matt
"The object is to be a well patient, not a good patient"

Offline bocker3

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #17 on: September 01, 2009, 07:51:55 am »
Will,

I would most definitely pushback on your doctor here.  It took me over a year before I got my first UD VL.
I would ask for a retest AND I would ask for it to be done using the branched-DNA test (assuming that you've been getting the RNA test thus far). 
Before I gave up on a medication I would want to be damned sure that it was failing and that it simply wasn't a matter of a doctor reacting too quickly.

Maybe I missed it somewhere in this thread -- but have you had a resistance test?

Sending good thoughts and a big {{{HUG}}},

Mike

Offline confidentIwillbeOK

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #18 on: September 01, 2009, 06:13:41 pm »
WW, hope all went well today.  Given your numbers my doc would unequivocally do another test, wait a month, and then decide what to do. He thought there was no reason at all to immediately stop Atripla.  Not that your doc was wrong as she may have additional data or insight but this is just an insight from an ID doc who very often starts people on Atripla. 

Let us know.   :)

Steve
 

Offline WillyWump

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #19 on: September 01, 2009, 08:58:52 pm »
I have scheduled an appointment with a different doctor for Friday (it was the soonest he could see me).
As I'm writing this I am still waiting for my current doctor to call me back to address my concerns, I was told she does callbacks after 5pm....it's now 7:45, I find this unacceptable and have now lost confidence in my current doctors ability to provide the healthcare I deserve. I intend on telling her I would like a retest and also a new resistance test and that I would prefer to continue taking the Atripla until we have the results back. If she pushes back on this and provides me good reason to switch to  the the new regimin immediately then i'm fine with that, but I need to know her reasoning behind it. I know I share some of this blame for not questioning it during the face to face with her, but she should still call me back either way!

In the meantime I have not stopped my Atripla (and made it clear to her nurse that I havent).

So, that's where I'm at as of this moment.


-Will :-\
« Last Edit: September 01, 2009, 09:03:26 pm by WillyWump »
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline aztecan

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #20 on: September 01, 2009, 11:34:50 pm »
Hey Will,

Not to second guess your doctor, but I have to agree with what other said. Its only been four months since you started. I would at least like to see one more set of labs before deciding to switch regimens.

I also find her treatment of you to be less than adequate.

You said,
Quote
My doctor is part of a large HIV clinic here in San Antonio and from what I understand has been practicing for many years, and has many patients. So I guess there is no room to question her.

Perhaps this doctor is suffering from burnout, or has such a large caseload she works like an assembly line. I don't know. What I do know is that you have diminished confidence in her, which makes being an advocate for yourself even more difficult.

I think you are doing the right thing by seeking out another doctor and requesting additional tests.

HUGS,

Mark
« Last Edit: September 01, 2009, 11:38:39 pm by aztecan »
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline Desertguy

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 weeks! AGHHHH!
« Reply #21 on: September 02, 2009, 12:26:11 am »
I would say do another test!!  Yes it might have been a blip not a true read.   I don't understand how they can say it's not working when you have only been on it for 4 weeks.  ANother Doc opinion great idea.

Offline WillyWump

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #22 on: September 04, 2009, 05:03:12 pm »
Met with a different doc today for a second opinion.

As luck would have it (or rather not have it) he states he typically doesnt prescribe Atripla because he prefers Prezista because it has a protease inhibitor (?), which he believes is better at getting people UD the quickest (prob gets paid to push Prezista). So that combined with the fact that I have low level viremia on Atripla he agrees with me switching to the Prezista/Norvir/Truvada regimine. 

He explained to me that my last Vl reading of 1460 may or may not be a blip and is a mute point because what concerns him most is that the last 2 test showed VL in the statistical range of 1000. He said his chief concern is to get his patients UD as quickly as possible and to keep them there so the body can rejuvenate. He doesnt like "screwing around" with Low level Viremia and is very aggressive with VL and hence doesnt think I should stay on Atripla. He's fairly confident I should be UD after a month or so on a regimine of Prezista (given my current VL).

He doesnt think I have any resistance issues since I had a negative resistance test 2 years ago, and have had safe sex (actually no sex  :-\ ) during that time. But will definately order a new resistance test to rule out "hidden resistance".


So....bottom line is I will be switching to this new doctor and the new regimine of Prezista/Truvade/Norvir and saying farewll to my best friend Atripla :-[
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline confidentIwillbeOK

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #23 on: September 04, 2009, 05:29:51 pm »
So....bottom line is I will be switching to this new doctor and the new regimine of Prezista/Truvade/Norvir and saying farewll to my best friend Atripla

You may be saying good-bye to one friend....but just think, you will have three new best friends.   :D

Hope everything goes well with your new regime.


Offline Inchlingblue

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #24 on: September 04, 2009, 05:52:54 pm »
He's fairly confident I should be UD after a month or so on a regimine of Prezista (given my current VL).

Prezista/Truvada/Norvir is a very good combination so of course it's likely you'll be UD soon, especially with such a low viral load.

I guess the important thing is the resistance test so that at least you know for sure about Atripla resistance, especially in case you wanted to go back to it at some point, it would still be an open option if you do the test and know for sure.

Did you continue Atripla until now? By any chance did you ask Gallant his opinion?
« Last Edit: September 04, 2009, 06:04:35 pm by Inchlingblue »

Offline mecch

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #25 on: September 04, 2009, 05:54:01 pm »
Isnt it reassuring when we see in these threads that two ID doctors give the same opinion, and it not necessarily the one we might think is correct, as laymen and HIV+ patients.

For what its worth, my ID said the same as your two - don't screw around with flattened low VL but not undetectable.  He switched HAART until he found the knockout.  

“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline newt

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #26 on: September 04, 2009, 08:51:14 pm »
I think your new doc very sensible.

It's impossible to really know what's happening with your two test results, but getting undetectable asap is important and I guess the doc has seen a fair few patients who have been in a similar situation.

It is (should be) in the end the patient's call, and different people may have gone the let's see route, which may/may not have worked.

But in the end it's a much of a muchness, what works is what's important, not what could have been.

Hope the new combo works.

Interesting the new doc favours Preziosta, it has had good results in tests, but it's too new to say it's more efficient that Atripla, which has years of research to back it's pole position (not to say it won't be knocked off this tho...and perhaps a good thing for our dreams if it is one day)

All the best

- matt
"The object is to be a well patient, not a good patient"

Offline clsoca

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #27 on: September 05, 2009, 01:13:42 pm »
When I started Atripla,my ID Doc advised me it could take up to six months to become undetectable.
10/07 Infected
11/07 Seroconversion
07/08 Tested Poz
07/08 VL 487  CD4 658  (No Meds)
10/08 VL 286  CD4 724  (No Meds)
01/24/09 VL 30,100   CD4 329 CD4 30% (No Meds)
02/06/09 VL 44,000   CD4 367 CD4 36%  Blood Work @ UCLA (No Meds)
02/06/09 VL 44,000   CD4 317 CD4 35% Blood Work @ USC (No Meds)
02/12/09 VL 52,000   CD4 297 CD4 29%
02/12/09  Started Atripla
04/01/09 VL 60  CD4 667   CD4 48%
06-05-09  VL UD CD4 427   CD4 39%

Offline WillyWump

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #28 on: September 05, 2009, 09:57:54 pm »
I actually would have been fine with waiting for a few more months on Atripla, but I guess what's done is done.

I actually started my new combo (Prezista/Norvir/Truvada) last night at 8:30, took it with a meal, and by 10pm I was very nauseous, then at 11pm i threw up. I wasnt sure whether to try another dose but I was so nauseous ( i now understand why people might want to give up) I figured it wouldnt stay down anyways so I decided to wait until this morning to try again.  So this morning at 8:30 I took the Prezista/Norvir part of the combo with a banana, toast and oatmeal and became very nauseous again, I threw up at 10am.  I immediately took another dose and threw it up again. I called Nurselink and they prescribed me Phenergan for the vomiting and nausea, took the phenergan at 1pm and it worked wonders, took all the nausea away. I just took another dose, all 3 components, about 30 minutes ago and so far so good, I think they might stay down FINALLY.

So so far I am not at all pleased with this combo, Several people have said the nausea and vomitting will subside....I hope so because so far its been pure hell. :-[ ick.

-Will
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline bocker3

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #29 on: September 05, 2009, 11:34:13 pm »
Will,

Sorry about the upset stomach -- hopefullly this will quickly pass. 

Sending good thoughts to you and your stomach.

{{HUG}}

Mike

Offline sdguyloveslife

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #30 on: September 06, 2009, 02:54:17 pm »
Sorry to hear it's making you so nauseous.  Just know that it will pass.  I'm on that same combo and for the first week or so, the nausea was really bad and I also found it impossible to keep the meds down.  I also was prescribed something similar (perchlorperazine) which I took about 1/2 hour before taking my meds and it worked really well. 

Other than that first week, this combo has been virtually side-effect free for me (except it "did" have some impact on boosting my psych meds, which we're correcting for now).  Latest blood tests showed I wasn't undetectable yet (started 27 May 09), but I'm hoping that'll happen soon.   Hang in there!
« Last Edit: September 06, 2009, 04:18:06 pm by sdguyloveslife »
Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.

Offline WillyWump

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #31 on: September 07, 2009, 01:26:30 pm »
Thanks Bocker and SD :)

With the Phenergen my meds have stayed down and the nausea has dramatically diminished. I occasionally have some breakthrough nausea but NOTHING like I had previously. I am actually able to resume a semi normal life. The Phenergan makes me foggy and a lil drowsy but I will take that anyday compared to the hell of vomitting and nausea.

I'm following up with my doc tomorrow, and hopefully they will refill my phenergan prescription so I can use it for a few more days.

Hugs to all
-Will
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline confidentIwillbeOK

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #32 on: September 09, 2009, 09:46:36 pm »
I know it has only been a couple days since your last post...but you feeling better? Did you get to refill your phen prescription?  The other half was asking too....

Hope all is well.   :)

Steve


Offline WillyWump

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Re: Atripla Failure after 4 Months! AGHHHH!
« Reply #33 on: September 10, 2009, 03:21:51 pm »
Hey Steve and Adam,

The doc didnt want to give me anymore Phenergan (dammit, they always want to screw with stuff that seems to work) but put me on Reglan for 2 weeks. Doc said Reglan is better for an extended period of time. The Reglan seems to be working just fine, I'm eating, keeing everything down and feel pretty good. We are hoping after 2 weeks to stop the Reglan and see if the nausea has dissipated. *fingers crossed*

-Will
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

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