POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: AlanBama on August 31, 2012, 05:48:20 pm
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I'm glad to report that I'm doing great on my "new" drug regimen: Prezista, Norvir, and Isentress.
I changed from Viramune, Emtriva and Ziagen a couple of months back. This was totally done for "quality of life" reasons, not because my drugs were failing in any way. I was just WAY tired of the G.I. distress that they caused me. I still have some G.I.-related issues, (and am sure I probably always will) but I am glad to report that my symptoms are MUCH BETTER and I am tolerating these drugs well.
I will go for my blood work this week, then see the Dr. on the 17th of September to find out about "the numbers". Hoping for good results...
HUGS, Alan :-*
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Glad things are on the up and up.
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Alan, that's great the new meds are working out for you! And who of us cannot attest to quality of life issues from meds? Good luck with the upcoming labs, I'll be looking for the update! :-*
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Good for you Alan ;) onward & upward :)
Hugs
DEN
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glad to hear the new meds are doing so much better for you. and you know those next lab results are going to be awesome! :D
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Hey Alan,
Glad to hear that the new regimen is working for you. Maybe / hopefully in time some of those GI issues may settle a little.
Good luck on the blood work this week.
Ray
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Hey Alan,
That is great news. I hope your "new" regimen continues to be problem free.
BIG HUGS,
Mark
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Hello Alan
I hope the lab results give you another boost.
And here's to all medics realizing that Quality Of Life Issues are VERY important.
Best to you
m
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overall, I got a very good report: VL undetectable; CD4 = 600 (a good number for me)
We have a plan to work on my G.I. distress issues; I am now taking a Culturelle probiotic capsule daily, and I am on a regimen of 20 grams of L-Glutamine daily for 2 weeks, then 5 grams a day for the next 6 months. Hopefully, we can get my 'gut' back to normal functions.
My weight is up to 178 (high for me); I don't have a problem with the number, just the fact that my belly is WAY too big, and uncomfortable. My goal is to work on reducing it, but all you LTS know how hard that can be. Will let you know how I'm doing with it.
Thanks for all the well-wishes and notes of concern.
LOVE, Alan
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Great news on the Cd4's, sweetie. I totally understand about the belly. I've been attempting to shrink mine a little as well. It's difficult and I really don't know how much of it will go away, since a lot of it is lipo.
Continued good luck, and I hope your GI issues get resolved with the new regimen! :-*
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Great results! I'll let you know how to reduce that belly size issue as soon as I discover the answer. ;D I'm up to almost 150lbs and I have a big belly that bothers me.
Wolfie
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Hey Alan,
I know how you feel. I have the crix belly and a bit of the conventional paunch going on.
I guess that is a sign we are still in the pink, so to speak. ;)
HUGS,
Mark
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Just to report in:
the daily probiotic and L-Glutamine powder have not miraculously solved all my problems (no surprises there, right?). In fact, in some ways, I think it is worse. I didn't take the L-Glutamine yesterday, because we were going to be on the road all day, and I didn't want to risk the dreaded 'accident'.
You know, I have dealt with a multitude of 'issues' since being diagnosed HIV+ in 1987...major illnesses all through the 90's, damage from long-term use of powerful drugs, etc. Lipo issues, skin issues, neuropathy issues, you name it; but of all of these, I can honestly say that all the G.I. problems /stomach issues have caused me more grief than any other thing related to AIDS, and for a longer period of time.
I keep telling myself I will just have to accept it, because I sure can't seem to change it....but it can sure affect your quality of life. I find that I stay home a LOT now....
Hugs to all,
Alan
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Alan, I'm so sorry you're going through those damn GI issues. I wish the probiotic would help. Just know I'm throwing you kisses at this very moment. :-*
Betty
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In fact, in some ways, I think it is worse.
very sorry to hear that!
hugs!
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Hey Alan,
I understand completely. All those years of being gluten intolerant and not knowing it made those GI issues all to real to me.
I wish I had an answer for you. Know you are in my thoughts.
HUGS,
Mark
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Hi Alan,
i hadurts pretty bad GI issues about 4 or 5 years ago that lasted about 2 years.
changed my diet drastically but it wasn't easy.
stopped eating red meat, dairy, and high fat foods.
eventually (after 6-9 months) i slowly began to add more dairy (love cheese!) and seemed to tolerate it well.
then i tried the concept on red meat with some success but it still bothers me so i got to be pretty careful.
i take probiotics during the bad periods for 7-10 days and it seems to help.
i'm not really sure if you tried to modify your diet but it helped me.
learned to get more creative with chicken, turkey, lean pork, and fish.
i know how awful GI issues can be.
wish you well!
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Hello all,
I didn't realize it had been so long since I had been on the forum. I'm glad you're doing well Alan. I had persistent cramps five years ago; the doc even did two CAT scans and found nothing wrong. Two years ago they took me off of Kaletra, to try to prevent anymore lipodystrophy, & it was like a miracle, the cramps disappeared. Now, I say thank God for Prezista/Norvir. They can take all of their Kaletra ads, millions of dollars that could go to research, & shove them.
hugs, Deiby