POZ Community Forums

Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: SomethingCleverHere on November 27, 2013, 01:15:40 pm

Title: Just took my first dose of Stribild
Post by: SomethingCleverHere on November 27, 2013, 01:15:40 pm

My viral load is 89,000. CD4 is 264. Just recently diagnosed 10/28/13 (probably infected a couple of years ago).

I'm wondering what I can expect with Stribild, because I know these drugs are very powerful, and they work very quickly. I took it mid-day with a fatty meal. I plan on taking it around lunch time each day because that's when I always eat the most, and that will guarantee the best adherence because I always eat about the same time at work.

I'm mainly curious about how I'm going to "feel" for the first month or so (pretty terrible?) when the drug is doing the most work. Although I guess I'll know soon enough.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Just took my first dose of Stribild
Post by: wolfter on November 27, 2013, 02:02:13 pm

Although I've never taken this drug, it's pretty safe to say that no one can predict exactly how you will react to it.  It's all individualized.  I've provided this link in case you want to check out some of the possible side affects and such.

Oh, and welcome to the forums.

Wolfie

http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/stribild_elvitegravir_cobicistat_2716.shtml

Title: Re: Just took my first dose of Stribild
Post by: SomethingCleverHere on November 28, 2013, 08:08:02 pm

Thanks. =)

So far so good...no odd side effects (after just two days).

Title: Re: Just took my first dose of Stribild
Post by: newt on November 28, 2013, 08:48:43 pm

I felt much better after 5 days on meds, alive even, I strarted with a CD4 count of around 180 - matt

Title: Re: Just took my first dose of Stribild
Post by: SomethingCleverHere on November 30, 2013, 08:32:25 pm

This was day four, I still feel the same (which is fine...I've never felt sick). Only side effects are diarrhea started day 3, and then about 30-45 minutes after I take the pill I have some stomach pains that go away after half an hour. Now I'm eagerly awaiting my 12/23/13 labs.

Title: Re: Just took my first dose of Stribild
Post by: Rhaegar on December 03, 2013, 11:25:02 pm

It's also good to keep in mind that noticed side effects might just be something you're more aware of now that you're taking a medication.  It's not necessarily the Stribild.

I don't really think about the med anymore, other than that I need to take it before I head to sleep.

Title: Re: Just took my first dose of Stribild
Post by: bear60 on December 10, 2013, 02:38:31 pm

Diarreah often caused by fatty foods...fried foods, too much cheese ( my nemisis is gouda and crackers)  or even an afredo sauce thats very buttery.

Title: Re: Just took my first dose of Stribild
Post by: MountainSailor on December 18, 2013, 09:36:39 pm

I was diagnosed in August of this year.  Initial labs were VL 32,500 and CD4 of 469.  I started Stribild on Oct 24th.  The good news is that I had virtually no side effects of Stribild.  There were a few days the first week or two of slightly "soft stools".  Don't even know if this was due to the meds or just what I was eating...it was almost non-existent.

After one month on Stribild, I got first labs back a couple weeks ago.  VL of 51 (a couple more days and it would have been UD) and CD4 of 730.