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Author Topic: Changing meds  (Read 3050 times)

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Offline CybertronEra3

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  • Posts: 3
Changing meds
« on: January 18, 2014, 10:24:07 pm »
I'm in my early to mid twenties and had never had an HIV test until February of last year for my then bf's behalf who was positive. The results were negative doing the rapid testing. Now a week before Pride I go in again for the chance at some free tickets to Pride feeling very confident. Needless to say the urgency of my tester and cryptic attitude indicated something was up. He then tells me Im positive and suddenly I felt like a dramatic pause scene out of an anime with where my surroundings turn a deep blue and my dilated eyes are shaking haha when I compose myself my emotions didn't come flooding out till I walked out with my then boyfriend. I  wasn't crying for my situation, I had been to enough meetings and appointments with my bf to know it was now a manageable chronic disease much like diabetes, but for my uneducated family who had admitted that it would devastate them to find out I was positive. I had a great support team from my ex and our mutual friend who also was positive and stayed vigilant to educate myself. 2 weeks after my initial diagnosis it was confirmed and not a mistake. My doctor has seen probably thousand of cases so her straightforwardness and lack of empathy didnt fully surprise me.  My VL was high and my CD4 was in the high 400s. I began treatment immediately on Atripla and next week after 6 months of treatment I'll find out my progress. Some people might think whoa 6 months? I say yes because on top of having a break up unrelated to my diagnosis I decided that my life had to continue and my education goals were not going to take a backseat. If my life expectancy has been shifted to that of a smoker then damnit I'm not wasting anymore time on trivial matters. I now heard that my treatment could be considered lacking in the goal of reaching undetectable status. Both my ex and friend had switched to Stribil and have reached undetectable
 status almost immediately. Therefore after I get my progress result I'll be asking to switch. I thought a one a day pill would be more convenient but it's just been a pain in the ass with my eating habits. I also am over the freaky ass dreams. I can only hope there will be little impediment from my provider. Has anyone else made this switch with better or similar results?

Offline buginme2

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  • Posts: 3,426
Re: Changing meds
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2014, 10:53:35 pm »
You hear that your treatment could be considered lacking in the goal of reaching an undetectable status?     Um, that's wrong.

Atripla, while it may not be the number one prescribed medication anymore it is not because of a lack of efficacy.  It is because there are newer meds that are also one a day with less side effects.  They are not "stronger" per se.

If you want to change meds, knock yourself out.  But do it for the right reasons.
Don't be fancy, just get dancey

Offline MadisonTeddy

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  • Posts: 71
Re: Changing meds
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2014, 08:03:14 am »
Good morning...What do you mean "...my eating habits.."  I am on Atripla, and regardless of when I have had dinner, I take the pill from 10:30-11:30 pm...As far as I know, the empty stomach is to help reduce side effects only...Am I totally wrong about this???? Since I have no real side effects, or at least asleep I don't feel them, I am not worried about an "empty" stomach...Can some of you guys help out on this please...thanks

Offline Ann

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  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Changing meds
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2014, 08:15:58 am »

As far as I know, the empty stomach is to help reduce side effects only


That is correct.
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Offline CybertronEra3

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  • Posts: 3
Re: Changing meds
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2014, 02:19:50 pm »
My intentions is to reach "undetectable" status the best way possible and I understand it takes time but if there is a chance that that can be achieved faster by different meds I have the right to pursue that option. I am in no way saying Atripla is not effective in managing HIV. I also want a more convenient form of treatment.

When I say "eating habits" I just mean the time varies when I end up eating. I work or do community work during the day and go to school at night so my personal mealtimes vary greatly. I have made adjustments in line with my nutritionist's recommendations but a hectic schedule can cause meal times to vary. I go by the 15 Hours apart rule between dosage because that gives me some room. I make sure to take my treatment between 10pm-2:00am. Yes I know this will need to be more consistent but for now it's working for me. 

 


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