Newly Diagnosed-Tenofovir

[mybeautifultarn]

Hi all, please help if you can. My partner 36yo female recently diagnosed HIV+. She lives in country with free care and they have prescribed Tenofovir and another med supplied in a plastic bag but unnamed. She started treatment 3days ago and has been experiencing fatigue, loss of apatite, head ache and mild nausea. Can someone please indicate how long the treatment side effects may last? She is expecting to go back to the (3rd world) doctor in two weeks for a re-examination. Can anyone offer some suggestions to me on how I can help and make sure she is on the correct meds. I'm new to all this. Thank you.

[Wade]

Hi , Welcome !
Most of the Forums are restricted to those living with HIV ,
I moved your post where it will get the most attention.

Everyone will react differently as to side affects , I would find out the name of the other med though. It is important now , and maybe even more so down the road
Have a look here and see if you recognize it.

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/hiv-medications

Best, Wade

[zach]

hi, welcome to the boards

see if she can give the first side effects a couple of weeks to adjust to, if the continue or get worse absolute bring it up with her doctor

with just three days so far, of course her stomach is still reacting to these new powerful meds daily, and her body is starting to fight the HIV infection it had been losing until now

as she starts to win that fight and her system gets used to the meds things should normalize for her

of course find out the name of the other med... i'm sure it's correct, trust but confirm

all things considered, she has an appointment in a couple weeks, take notes and organize your thoughts, have questions ready for the doctor

[mybeautifultarn]

Thanks Zac, your advice is much appreciated and in-line with my thoughts. Sometimes we need to hear it from someone experienced. 

My situation is that I dont understand the local language so I cant ask the questions that need to be asked. I can only prepare my partner with the questions before she seeks the doctors advice. The POZ forum has been really helpful. Ive only been browsing a few days. Ive been able to explain to her many things about treatment and the disease. We are both now steep on the learning curve.

In this country it is notorious for doctors to dish-out meds for unrelated ailments. Hospitals are not safe places. Her and I need to be vigilant.

I will let my partner know your advice and also let her know she is not alone.

Thanks again.

[mybeautifultarn]

Hi All,

I've just had a look at the meds listed on the POZ HIV Drug Chart and cant see the match. My partners percription is: Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate / Lamivudine / Efavrenz (300mg/300mg/600mg). Its presented in a large white pill that has "M152" embossed.

Any suggestions?

The above is taken as a once daily along with another large white pill with no embossed code. The plastic bag that it was provided in does contain a scrawl writing (in marker pen) that looks like "Ba?? 900" or "Baa?? 960". This pill is also taken once a day.

Again, any suggestions?

At the next visit to the doctors I will get all the answers but in the mean time perhaps the forum can suggest something. I only this information to explain to my partner the side-effects and how the treatment works.

Thanks
MBT

[BT65]

hi MBT,
I have no idea what the "Baaa" med could be but I would definitely get the name from the doctor.  The Efavirenz could be causing the fatigue.  But I would give it a few weeks to see if the side effects go away.  I totally agree in getting questions ready for the doctor.  Make sure to talk to him/her about how your partner is feeling, what to expect etc.   I try to get things I want to say written down before I see the doctor because goodness knows when I get in the doctor's office I can easily forget.

I would definitely get the name of that strange sounding med, ask the doctor what the name is and get some info on it from the doctor, pharmacy etc.  I'm glad your partner has such a dedicated person in you!  Take care of yourself also!

Betty

[CaveyUK]

Just taking a wild guess here...But the pills with the hand-written code including '960' could relate to cotrimoxazole (also known as Septrin and Bactrim). I suggest this as the most commonly prescribed version of this drug is the 'double strength' tablet which happens to be 960mg....

It is used as a precautionary antibiotic, specifically in people diagnosed with HIV who have CD4 counts lower than 200, as it prevents PCP Pneumonia. It is usually discontinued as the cd4 count rises.

Looking at my pills, they are round, white and don't have any code embossed on them but their form may differ depending on where you are.

Don't take my word for it though - get her to ask the doctor.

If it IS cotrimoxazole then your partner needs to be very aware over the first few weeks if she develops any significant rash, shortness of breath or anything similar as she may require urgent medical intervention. This is because serious adverse effects - which also exist in a variety of mundane drugs - are a little more common with this particular drug.

As for the side effects you listed, these are common during the first few days of any treatment as the body adjusts to them. With me, they subsided after a couple of days, others it may take a week or two and a few find they take longer and need a med switch. Just monitor the situation and speak to the doctor if it continues for too long.

[harleymc]

Brand names for medications vary around the world, depending on the manufacturer.
Your partner's ART Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate / Lamivudine / Efavirenz  is marketed as Atripla in first world countries. It is very effective but sometimes has nasty side effects.
https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/drugs/424/atripla/0/professional

Some patients (not all) on Atripla have issues around severe depression and suicide attempts, if your partner at any stage starts to get severe depression get her back to the doctor for a prescription change.

Good luck

[mgrey]

Hi, I am using the same drug 3 in 1, now its my 4th month, vl 45 after 3 monhts, i started with very high vl 10 mill. Ask her to take it before bed time on empty stomach, 2 hrs after last meal. She should be ok after a week. sorry my english not great

[harleymc]

I am so glad that your medication is working so well. Congratulations on that viral load result!