Prezista / Norvir / Isentress

[Ryoma]

Hi again,

For a variety of reasons, my doctor is considering switching me to a nuke-sparing regime. He's recommended Prezista / Norvir / Isentress.  I can't seem to find anything on this particular combination.  Does anyone have any information on this combination or know anyone on it?

Thanks very much
Ryoma

[Miss Philicia]

It's probably not that common (yet?) to do a nuke sparing regimen like that, but I'm on those same medications (with, of course, a nuke but then I have resistance issues so they add one HIV med to the standard three for me).

Not sure what else you want to know -- these meds are very hassle free and I think you will be pleased, plus I've had excellent numbers while on them.

[Ryoma]

Cool, thanks.  I know conceptually the combination will work, just given the lack of literature on this particular combination I guess I was wondering if the Prezista 100% needs to be boosted with Isentress.

[Miss Philicia]

Prezista definitely needs to be boosted with Norvir in a patient that is not treatment naive.

So back in July you claimed to have gotten lipoatrophy after just four months use of Truvada -- is this still the case, meaning you're still taking Truvada right now?

[miked]

I've been doing prezista, isentress, norvir, truvada since january 2008 and generally tolerate it well,  limited bowel issues.  has kept my viral load undectable, but unable to raise my t cells

[CWD6474]

I have been on this same regimen for the past year and I am finally undetectable. CD4's have also gotten better. I was diagnosed back in 1996, refused to take my medications as directed. I developed MAC, KS, and Shingles. Started going to the VA and talked to an ID specialist, they put me on this regimen, and now I feel great.

VL: Undetectable >48
CD4's 283
as of July 2010

[Ryoma]

CWD6474 - that good news, glad to hear you are doing great on this combo.

Miss Philicia - apologies for the late reply.  Yes, still on Truvada, the "lipoatrophy" that I wrote about was never diagnosed by the doctors and I should have been more careful in my choice of words.  Certainly my arms and face and to a certain extent my legs are gaunter than before I started meds, though I can't say that it has gotten significantly worse since July.  I have muscle spasms throughout the day, still, and a host of other side effects to the extent that my doctors are now suggesting I go on to this new combo.

My next appointment is in a few weeks, I'm ready to make the switch and hopefully the muscle issues that I have been having since Day 1 will diminish or go away.

Thanks
Ryoma