Two and a half months on STRIBALD and the results are........

[MikeMax1313]

Hello Everyone:

I first joined this blog back in December after my ID doc finally recommended Anti-viral therapy for me. I tested positive for HIV in 1995 albeit I was probably infected in 1988 or 1989 in NYC.  Anyway, to this day I have been asymptomatic and since 2001 I have been seeing an ID quite frequently to keep tabs on viral loads, CD4 etc.  In Nov of last year I was advised that my viral load jumped to over 200K and that my CD4 was at 400+.  I still had no symptoms and felt fine but my ID doc advised me that I should remain complacent and that he felt it was time to start therapy.  He prescribed STRIBALD in mid November. I sat on the RX out of fear and ignorance. I kept telling myself that I'm fine and that the side effects of the med would be more than I could bear. Well in late Dec I found this blog and got feedback from the kind folks on here who urged and encouraged me to commence therapy as the ramifications of not doing so would be way greater than any possible side effects. On Dec 26th I finally filled the RX and took my 1st pill and my first anti viral HIV med ever.

To my pleasant surprise I cannot say I've experienced ANY noticeable or profound side effects. My lifestyle of going to the gym, my appetite, my sleep patterns etc etc ALL remains totally unimpeded or hampered by ANY side effects. There are no issues to report. On Jan 26th I did blood work to check everything. The results: My viral load dropped from over 200K to a mere 50 and my CD4 is now over 600.  I will do blood work again April and see my doc again right after. I cannot say what would have happened to me had I not started on Stribald as I was never symptomatic and had never had AIDS albeit being positive since the late 80s but it is certainly encouraging to know that I can finally and seriously plan my future w/o ever worrying about succumbing to AIDS, at least I hope so 

I am curious tho to find out why they can create a medication that is so effective at killing the virus and preventing its multiplication in one's body but they can't devise a cure. It brings out the skeptic in me, but that's a whole other topic. Thanks for your previous advice everyone, it gave me the courage to confront my unfounded fears and to start on therapy.  Peace and Love.

[tednlou2]

Glad to hear things are going well.  Stribild is the regimen I've chosen to start with. 

[AusShep]

Good to see your numbers doing well so fast.

As to the skeptic part, viruses are tricky business.  There is no cure for the common cold, any of the herpes viruses, HIV, etc.  No drug company is holding onto a cure in order to sell monthly prescriptions.

Other STIs like syphilis and gonorrhea are bacteria, which are usually fairly easy to kill except for some antibiotic resistant varieties.

[eric48]

I am curious tho to find out why they can create a medication that is so effective at killing the virus and preventing its multiplication in one's body but they can't devise a cure.

Interdsting ...
Will make suggestions when back home
Mobile.eric

[AtlantaMan40]

Hi all - first post here on the forums (so be kind!).... I began Stribild in December 2012.   My doctor prescribed it for me after I found out a few weeks before I was positive.   I was fearful of side effects and did suffer some for the first 3 months - mostly stomach and digestive issues.   Over those 3 months, I have adjusted my diet in small ways, started taking a pro biotic, switched to lactose-free milk and reduced overall dairy intake.   Since making those changes, the side effects have almost completely disappeared.   And the medication is doing what it's supposed to - I was undetectable just 30-45 days after starting the medication!    Now it's just learning to love myself again and sadly there aren't any meds for that!

[MikeMax1313]

Thanks everyone, I'll update all after my next bloodwork.  Peace & Love.

[OneTampa]

Welcome to the Forums Mike and Atlanta.

It is nice to read about your good test results.

Keep taking care of yourselves.

Best.