New drug added to the mix...

[J.R.E.]

I have a new drug....   

I have a new drug that the doctor prescribed. Just picked it up from the pharmacy. So, in addition to Viramune, Epzicom , Viread, Lipitor, I now have Meloxicam. This is the generic version of "Mobic" It is a prescription nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory ( NSAIDS) , that should hopefully treat pain and/or inflammation.

I've been really trying to hold off on starting this, but I think the time has probably come.

This is the 15mg tablet. I am supposed to ( according to the label) Take one tablet by mouth, daily for 2 weeks , then take one tablet by mouth daily, as needed for pain. Hopefully this will ease some of the arthritis and joint pain that I've been having for a while now.

Anybody else on this one? ....


Ray

[AlanBama]

This one is a new one to me Ray.  Sure hope it helps with the arthritis pain...I know it's tough to get going in the mornings, with everything aching, isn't it?   Hope it gives you some relief.

hugs,

Alan

[aztecan]

Hey Ray,

I am somewhat familiar with NSAIDS. I take 220 mgs of Naproxen Sodium, aka generic Aleve, twice a day myself.

So far, so good. It does seem to help. I know it can be a pain getting going or getting anything done without it.

Did your doc do the test to determine whether you are developing rheumatoid or osteo arthritis? When they did mine, all the doc said was it wasn't rheumatoid and that I had "creaky joints."

 I guess that's a technical term.

Let us know how the Meloxicam works for you.

HUGS,

Mark

[Surviving]

i was having similar symptoms and i am sure that the meds were the cause.   it is hard to say exactly how, but my guess is the affects are caused by the effect of saturation, ie too much of the cocktail / chemicals being stored in the body.

over the course of 12 years I think i have switched cocktails four different times.   the meds all do the same thing by restricting the virus, but their side affects are different.    at first the side affects can be severe but the body becomes acclimated and adjusts.  but later the body gets tired of them and create a new side affect.  so the logic is to give up one side affect for a set of different ones, resulting by a new cocktail.

because there are so many meds available, my bet is that if you switched to a different cocktail, your body can get a break from the old cocktail.   but it is only a thought for you to share with your doctor or maybe a new one if the old one doesn't help.   

[BT65]

Hey Ray,

I've never even heard of Meloxicam.  I've been on 600mgs 3 x a day of Motrin now though for years.  I hate stiff, achey joints and I really hope this med helps you out.  Let us know how it goes.
  Luv,
Betty

[penguin]

hi ray -
i took mobic (meloxicam) for quite a while - like you, for osteoarthritis (also disc problems)

although i eventually needed to switch to something stronger,i never had any problems with it - plus it has the advantage of just being one a day..anything which reduces the pill burden is a good thing in my book 

isa  nasty pain, arthritis - hhope it helps make you a bit more comfortable

kate

[J.R.E.]

Hey Ray,



Did your doc do the test to determine whether you are developing rheumatoid or osteo arthritis? When they did mine, all the doc said was it wasn't rheumatoid and that I had "creaky joints."

 
Mark

Hello Mark,

As a matter of fact, that doctor drew some additional blood for some of these tests on Tuesday, so I will get the results of those in about 10 days or so. I definitely have creaky joints !


Everyone else ---Thanks

The main problems I am having right now, are in my hands ( knuckles ) And my neck. Movement of my head to the left or right- up or down, sounds as though popcorn is popping in my neck !!    Neck is pretty stiff...

Besides the feet ( neuropathy )  being a little more intense these past three months, and my skin having that periodic "Sunburn " type of feeling,  and the overall body ache, we'll see how this Meloxicam starts working.


Thanks again everyone. And Kate, thanks for the information !! Appreciate it !


Ray

[Surviving]

in regards to the sunburn feeling, i started taking 400 ui of vitamin D w/o the calcuim and began feeling some relief.

[J.R.E.]

Also received my latest blood tests results today from 7/22/08. these were a little late arriving as my doctor was away. Perhaps he was in Mexico City, but I thiought he said he was going to San Franscisco, for some sort of discussion there on Epzicom and some of the older HIV drugs ( But I could be wrong.)


Anyway : ( results from 7/22/08 ) Up and down----Up and down...   

CD-4 is at 327 was at 379 on 4/21/08

CD-4 percentage at 13% was at 12% on 4/21/08

Virall load <48 was less < 50 on 4/21/08

CBC, Chemical profile and Amylase are all OK

Thyroid and testosterone levels are all normal

Total cholesterol is 222 was 218 on 4/21/08

LDL (Bad Chol) is at 143 was 139 on 4/21/08

HDL ( Good chol) is at 55 was 58 on 4/21/08

Triglycerides119 was 105 on 4/21/08

And:  Still kickin and feeling like crap !


Ray

[BT65]

Wow, Ray.  Well.......congrats on the viral load.

[J.R.E.]

Brief update :

An update with the Meloxicam. I am currently using it ( one pill per day) three days a week. I ususally take it just before sleeping, with no problems, and it seems to be helping a little bit.

Also, Just received my blood tests results for 10/13/08


CD4 - Went down to 323 from 327 on 7/22/08

CD4%- Went down to 12% from 13% on 7/22/08

Viral load remains < 48    (something good)


CBC, CHEM PROFILE, AND AMYLASE, Are all OK.



Lipid Panel :

Total cholesterol : 255 was 222 on 7/22/08

LDL (Bad Cholesterol)--181, was 143 on 7/22/08

HDL ( good Cholesterol)-- 51  was 55 on 7/22/08

Triglycerides--113,   was 119 on 7/22/08


Not much else going on, Just hanging in there !!


Ray