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Author Topic: Med Switch? Due to Lipo?  (Read 6817 times)

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Offline Regretsafew

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Med Switch? Due to Lipo?
« on: June 22, 2009, 06:15:50 pm »
I was wondering if anyone had any info on  switching meds due to lipo?  I've been on Sustiva and Combivir for almost three years now and I'm noticing that my arms are thinner and veiny..  Looks like i've been lifting weights but haven't been.  My doc wants to switch me to Atripla.  My counts are good  CD 752 and undetectable. 

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks much for your time.

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Med Switch? Due to Lipo?
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2009, 08:32:00 pm »
That's a fine switch -- basically it's swapping out the Combivir for Truvada, except the Truvada is of course a component of Atripla.  Truvada is seen as the least likely to contribute to lipo from the NRTI class which is why most people are on this.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Regretsafew

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Re: Med Switch? Due to Lipo?
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2009, 08:38:17 pm »
Hey thanks alot!  You are very knowledgeable

Would you recommend that i finish the meds that i have... almost 2 months worth before switching or should i just switch?   The meds are very expensive  and i would hate to waste them...  Also do you think I should start the atripla on a weekend in case there may be some side effects from the truvada vs the combivir??  Do I need to stop the combivir for a few days prior to starting atripla??

Thanks 

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Med Switch? Due to Lipo?
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2009, 10:02:28 pm »
If I felt a med was causing something to happen to my body I'd not hesitate to switch, regardless of whether or not I'd just gotten refills 2 days ago or had 2 months left of medications.  You paid the co-pay so they're yours, it's not like you owe anyone an explanation or need to have some guilt complex. 

Take your excess HIV medications to a local publicly funded HIV clinic -- they'll find someone that can use them. 

As far as your last question about the amount of days for a stop/start generally it's not an issue, but just to be sure you should raise that particular question with your prescribing HIV doctor.  I doubt that it's good for your body to be absent of an NRTI in it's bloodstream for a few days but I'm not sure how quickly combivir stays in one's bloodstream.  As for the weekend thing, naw Truvada is a really easy switch.  I've been on it for years and the most I get is maybe some extra intestinal gas, but that's not even a daily event.  It's not like when you first started with Sustiva at all, so you don't need to fret with the weekend thing.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Regretsafew

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Re: Med Switch? Due to Lipo?
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2009, 10:09:28 pm »
Hey thanks for the great advice!   My doc is susposed to call me tomorrow. 

 :)

Offline aztecan

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Re: Med Switch? Due to Lipo?
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2009, 12:24:13 pm »
Hey Regretsafew,

I just switched from Combivir to Truvada a month ago. It was seamless.

I never noticed any difference whatsoever.

I would go for it.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline Inchlingblue

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Re: Med Switch? Due to Lipo?
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2009, 06:42:53 pm »
Regarding your unused meds, Miss P's advice is good but if by any chance you can't find a local group that takes unused meds there's a great organization (Aid for AIDS) that accepts them and distributes them to those in dire need. You do have to mail it to them but it's very easy to do. Or you can drop them off if you are in certain cities.

This is the link with more info:

www.aidforaids.org

Also, you can keep your 2-month's supply of Sustiva and just add the Truvada until you have used them up and then go on Atripla, that way you only have to donate the Combivir. Many doctors prescribe Sustiva and Truvada separately in the beginning anyway, to make sure the side effects are tolerable.
« Last Edit: June 23, 2009, 06:46:21 pm by Inchlingblue »

Offline Regretsafew

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  • Posts: 101
Re: Med Switch? Due to Lipo?
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2009, 07:06:21 pm »
thanks you guys for your advice! 

My docs nurse called this afternoon and is calling in the script for the atripla..   so i will be starting it next week when it comes..  i admit i'm a bit nervous about it.. but i will do it.   I wonder if I will feel less tired after getting rid of the azt in my combo... 


 


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