POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: jayjax on August 15, 2010, 08:19:25 am
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Hey Everyone,
I want to post and see if anyone can provide me with advise or if others have had similar experience. I was on Atripla since Nov 2009 and have just switched to Turvada (200-300 mg), Reyataz (Cap 300 mg) and Norvir Tab (100 mg).
I really felt Atripla was working fine for almost 2 years now. The once a day dosage was great, however, my liver function tests have steadily climbed out of the normal range and have remained there since December 2009. Also, my last VL went from undetectable to 100. Both my primary and ID docs have been monitoring it carefully since Dec 09. During my last visit with my ID doc, he recommended a change in meds to see if it was the Atripla causing this. On Frinday this last week, I started taking a new combo of Truvada (Tab 200-300 MG), Reyataz (Cap 300 MG) and Norvir (Tab 100 MG). After I read the possible side effects, I must say I was more hesitant and worried in taking this combo than Atripla (I actually had no side effects with Atripla except the normal light headed during first few weeks). On Friday evening, I started the new meds after a light snack.
I must say, I woke up on Saturday morning with absolutely no side effects and the same is true on Sunday.
Did anyone have any experiences like this with Atripla (i.e. elevated liver function tests and switching to Turvada, Reyataz and Norvir) ? If so, what about the new meds ? Anything I should be really concerned with while on the new combo.
Appreciate any comments,
Thanks all,
JayJax
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I don't have experience with Atripla per se, but I am on the t/r/n regimen now - and loving it. :-* ;D
Round about 1997 or so I took Sustiva (part of Atrip) for 9 months and hated it. The horrible nightmares and dizzy/fuzzy feeling never left. I took it and endured the side effects for so long because in 97 and with my resistance issues, there literally was nothing else for me to take. When I fell down the staircase one morning because of the CNS effects, I swore it off. Luckily (LOL) I became resistant to it and never have to worry again. Over the almost 20 years that I've been treated for HIV/AIDS, I've taken nearly every med that has come out. At one time I was taking 28 pills a day and 8 tablespoons of liquid norvir.
Recently my doctor switched out a couple of my meds to the truvada, reducing me to three pills a day now. Although every other regimen has made me puke at least 6 times a month, I haven't barfed at all on this regimen, only had a few days of intestinal issues switching from the gelcap norvir to the newer tablet, and have had the best most stable numbers in the past two years.
all-n-all with this regimen, this is the best I've ever felt - and ever felt about my meds - in 20 years and I'm loving it. :-* ;D
best wishes to you with the t/r/n ;)
mikie
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Thanks Mikie,
Appreciate your quick reply and comments. I was really worried after I read all the side effects of T/R/N ... I even called my ID Doc and see if he made a mistake. I've never had reactions/major complications with any kind meds I've taken, but worried with these. Luckily, that was not the case. I go back in 3 weeks for another look at my Liver Function Test. Hopefully all will be well.
Thanks again. I'll update on my prognosis.
JayJax
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A person can turn a little yellow on Reyataz. I did. It was no big deal.
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A person can turn a little yellow on Reyataz. I did. It was no big deal.
Same here. Otherwise no problems in two and a half years.
My friend just began that regimen in June and didn't even get the yellowing.
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Hi Jayjax,
same yellowing here, elevated bilirubin since then. I also have trouble sleeping, thought it came from Truvada so switched to Kivexa / Epzicom but did not become better. I take the combo in the morning, allowing me a +/- 3 hours window, quite comfortable.
take care
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Hi Jayjax,
Ditto here on the jaundice, but for me it only lasted a week or so.
Have elevated creatinine but doc was not overly concerned. Went in last week just for urea and creatinine levels testing and waiting on those results now.
Overall, this combo has been better than I expected and I like the once a day option. I take mine after eating dinner.
Best of luck...
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Thanks for the info everyone. It's greatly appreciated.
Its been one week now and have not had any side effects. I'll take my blood tests in another week and see if the liver function tests come back normal or going in that direction.
Like most of you have stated, I believe this combo is better than Atripla. Although I have 3 different pills, I can still take it the same time of day.
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should drinking a lot help to keep at lowest the chance of visible jaundice?
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I was advised that drinking a bit more WATER may be beneficial for general kidney health while taking T/R/N as some people get kidney toxicity with the Reyataz I believe.
Drinking alcohol, for some, it seems, increases the jaundice, which makes sense as the liver is what breaks down the alcohol (and lots of other things we eat/drink/etc).
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Drink plenty of fluids to keep from getting kidney trouble, and other things. Eat regular and good diet. All the normal things you need to do anyway having a disease.
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Jayjax- This (reyetaz, truvada, norvir) was my first experience with hiv meds. I wanted atripla, since it seemed so simple with a one pill regimen. Instead, I took part in it the trial since I work from home and felt if it helped gather some important information, then why not. I've been off the trial and continue to take the meds. I've been on them for 2 years now.
I feel really great for one thing. Another thing is that my numbers continue to climb (cd4 and percentage). My liver enzymes are low, along with my kidney function.
I take pain meds in addition, but they do not affect my levels. I drink a lot of water, dandelion tea and eat well. I would recommend this combo to anyone. However, after reading many of the posts over the years, I think everyone's body reacts differently. I hope it works for you :)
Best wishes,
Camms
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first night taking it and woke up and threw up
Atripla was worse though
did anyone else have this?
was in trizivir and handled it fine ;( but viral load was 200 an doc wanted to change
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Camms,
Thanks for the good info. I just had my last set of labs completed and my VL undetectable and CD4 has spiked upward from around 300 to almost 600 in less than 8 weeks. Needless to say I was very pleased with the results. BTW, my Liver Function Tests were starting to come back to normal range. Wish me luck and hope it continues.
You are right, I would prefer to stay on Atripla (1 pill a day), but RTN has really been great for me and I do feel better. Only draw back is 3 meds, but I take them all like I would have taken Atripla.
Later,
JayJax
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thats good news...