Anyone taking Norvir, Presista and Isentress? Side Effects?

[mgliberatore]

Hi,
Can anyone help with information? I started this regimen two weeks ago. My doctor assured me it was an easily tolerable combination, yet I've been very sick since beginning--stomach cramps, nausea, headache, body rash (on my torso), and living in the bathroom...

I find this very ironic, because I have HIV positive since 2001, and didn't start meds until this year. My CD4s were at 690 when I was diagnosed, and didn't fall below 400 until this year. I never felt sick until I BEGAN medication...

Anyway, originally, I was prescribed Atripla, and took it for 7 months with little or no side effects (a little insomnia, a bit of dizziness), but I found that I'd developed resistance (I had a mutation), and never reached undetectable VL. So, my doctor switched me to Norvir, Prezista and Isentress.

With these side effects, I'm debating flushing the pills... though I know that's not wise. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to neutralize the side effects of this regimen? I take my pills in the morning and at night, always with food. A friend suggested taking with fatty foods (tried it last night and it was a nightmare--I was up all  night). What about taking pills with dairy? I normally don't do dairy, but I'd try anything at this point.

Some background: I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. Diet is healthy, I workout several times/week. No coffee. Pretty healthy lifestyle. And, as I've said, I've never had ANY opportunistic infections since being diagnosed.

Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[netta]

HELLO
READ MY NEW  POST ON THE PRZISTA WARNINGS. I AM ON NOVIR, PREZISTA AND ZERIT AND VIREAD.
I HAVE THE SAME SYMPTONS, BUT LESS AFTER SO MANY YEARS, I NEVER KNOW WHEN I WILL GET DIARREA, SO I HAVE TO WATCH WHAT I EAT,I REALLY HATE THE NORVIR. I THINK I'VE BEEN ON THEM GOING ON 3 YEARS. WHEN I GO TO THE DOC NEXT WEEK I WILL QUESTION HIM ABOUT IT.yOU SHOULD TELL YOUR DOCTORS ABOUT YOUR SIDE EFFECTS,THEY SEEM EXTREME !!!YOU MIGHT HAVE TO INSIST ON SOMETHING ELSE.

[Mr.Grinch.74127]

I took norvir for 3 months, and had to quit.. It was the culprit causing all of the bathroom visits, Hope this helps.

[Miss Philicia]

I'm on Norvir, Presista and Isentress and don't have any side effects, though I had a few days of constipation when I switched from Fuzeon to Isentress.  That's not unusual the first week of a med change.  I've now been on this combo for 4 months and feel great -- in fact it's the very best combo in terms of this that I've encountered in 15 years of HIV treatment.  (note:  the Norvir and Prezista I've been on for almost 2 years)