I don’t want to take hiv medicine anymore

[c430]

 I’m just tired of taking the medications. I was born with hiv and have been taking medication my whole life.  I’ve heard  The medication can actually do damage to your liver and or kidney possibly other things.  I am wondering if there’s other natural alternatives that we can use instead of just taking medication. I read up on coconut oil, not sure how good that works.  any other advice?

Please help in more options

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear you are tired of taking meds.
Some older meds were indeed harsh and people some still might experience issues with today's meds but thankfully it's a lot better and there are plenty of options to switch to.

What meds are you currently taking and have you discussed your concerns with your doctors and are they as would be expected, routinely monitoring your kidneys and liver results to ensure you are okay? Are your results causing concern or are they fine?

As for alternative treatments, I don't know what you read. (please don't post it here) However, if it was about alternative HIV treatment it's just BS as there are none to fully suppress the virus.

Jim.

[ms3053]

Look at this. Just wait a little longer. Your life will soon change!

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/fda-approves-1st-long-acting-hiv-drug-combo-75412987

[c430]

Thanks you for the information. Sounds like a game changer!!

[gafry53]

The Biktarvy I take now is $3200 for a 30 day supply. What will these shot cost us?
The US drug companies screw HIV patients. I can get generic Biktarvy from Canada for $672 dollars a month. I also have thought about stopping medication and no side effects. Take care and do what you want

[Tonny2]

        ojo.           Hi there!...I’m sorry about you being tired of taking meds, I’ve been taking “vitamins “ for 26 years and I haven’t had any issues with liver or kidneys. If you want to keep living you have to look at taking meds as a blessing because there are people whom don’t have the same opportunity we have...I guess your doctor checks your organs through blood work and, if he/she hasn’t told you anything is because everything is working fine...taking meds=living, no taking meds=death...best of luck...hugs

[Mindless]

If you want to keep living you have to look at taking meds as a blessing because there are people whom don’t have the same opportunity we have...

I guess your doctor checks your organs through blood work and, if he/she hasn’t told you anything is because everything is working fine...taking meds=living, no taking meds=death...best of luck...hugs

Words of wisdom 🙏🏻

[delilah07]

I have been on meds since ‘95. I remember taking meds throughout the day. I also remember feeling worse before taking the pills. My cell count was 211 when I began treatment. Now my most recent cell count is 1212 and undetectable. I have had high cell counts from consistently taking my medication.
I have occasionally been in the mood that I am tired of taking pills. But then I just think of how better off I am and how far things have come for HIV + people. Things will continue to improved.

[randym431]

Hoping you stick with the meds, they do work as you already must know. As far as the dependency on daily pills or daily shots goes, I just think of it as with anyone else and with any other illness. For example, my one dog needs a daily injection for diabetes, and so does my 91 year old father. In fact, I know of a lot of people with diabetes who must take pills and or shots on a daily basis. And I know a guy with leukemia that pops one pill every day, and that alone has kept him in remission for some 15 years now. So just consider that many people out there, maybe most people also depend on shots or pills to keep them alive. I figure it as joining the crowd. Hiv, diabetes, leukemia or whatever, at least we have effective reliable treatments. I also do not like wearing glasses, in fact I hate wearing and depending on eye glasses, but without glasses I can hardly see 5 feet away and certainly could never drive a car. So you do what you must do, I guess.