is there anything i should be expecting ?

[karemo]

Hi guys, I have a quick question as it's been on my mind a little recently..

been + 5 years now, on meds for nearly 1 year, 29 years old, healthy , happy etc., am on sustiva and kivexa in the UK, once a day, have undetectable VL and CD4 of 300 slowly rising.. I genuinley dont have any problems with taking pillls and no interactions.. I just keep wondering, should I be expecting something to slowly start happening? Side effects etc. ? I fully realise I am lucky to be in a place and frame of mind where meds and healthcare are free and dont cause me any problems, i just catch myself every now and then thinking that i should be more concerned than i am, and that i am fooling myself? My doc says everythings fine, can I do anything to keep this equilibrium?

Best wishes to all and have a lovely weekend

[Matty the Damned]

Hey Karemo,

Well, if you've not developed any noticeable side effects now, chances are you probably won't. It's important to note however that sensitivity to one of the components of Kivexa (ie abacavir) can crop up later on, but it's most unlikely.

Remember I'm saying "noticeable" insofar as I'm talking about the side effects commonly associated with drugs like sustiva. If you haven't developed sleep disturbances, dizziness, nausea, mood swings or any of the other problems that sustiva can cause by now, you'll probably be good.

But there are long term problems associated with HAART which can appear years after use. Problems with your internal organs for example. I must say however that I'm not aware of any of these being a prominent feature of your current combination.

Then there's resistance, which is usually blamed on poor compliance. Generally this is true, but HIV lacks the error correction mechanisms found in other viruses and makes mutant copies of itself all the time. Even with the most stringent adherence to a regimen, it's quite possible and (some would say) likely that resistance will develop at some point in the future.

All of these things are maybes. Rather than fret over the fact that you're not fretting, Matty the Damned recommends that you get on with the business of having the disease under control and enjoying your life.

Fondly,

MtD

[DanielMark]

Hi Karemo,

Since everyone is different and no one can predict the future, my suggestion would be to wait until you have some indication of major illness and deal with it then. Until then, just keep on doing what you’re doing because that seems to be working well. You are anticipating that a change will come at some point so I can't see that you are fooling yourself in any way.

Daniel