POZ Community Forums

Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: zenacupuncture on March 04, 2009, 12:19:53 am

Title: 3 and 1/2 weeks after starting Atripla.
Post by: zenacupuncture on March 04, 2009, 12:19:53 am

Hi guys. New member here and just wanted to share some good news with you all. I just got out from the hospital in Jan due to PCP and my blood test show my VL was 178K. My ID suggested that I should try Atripla. (I've been Poz more than 11 years but have not tried any HIV med since  a severe side effects of Combivir or AZT in 1997) . I've been very healthy since until the episode of PCP almost killed at the end of last year. I decided to take my ID doc advices and started the treatment with Atripla. Few side effects like vertigo, dizziness the first couples of days and some rash appeared after the 1st week and still has some slight rash now. The good new is after 3 and 1/2 weeks on Atripla my VL went from 178K to only 74. Yes, only 74! It's so amazing and I am very happy with the result. Thanks all for reading my post and I will keep you all posted of any improvement.

Title: Re: 3 and 1/2 weeks after starting Atripla.
Post by: keyite on March 04, 2009, 11:53:43 am

Well, that is an excellent response - you're just on the cusp of undetectable so it's bound to happen very soon. Atripla is a bit of a trip initially but there's every chance you'll feel nothing much in a month or two's time..  ;)

Title: Re: 3 and 1/2 weeks after starting Atripla.
Post by: zenacupuncture on March 05, 2009, 06:43:58 pm

Thanks !!!!

Title: Re: 3 and 1/2 weeks after starting Atripla.
Post by: J.R.E. on March 05, 2009, 08:16:44 pm

Hello,

Welcome ! And congratulations on your results.  How is your t-cell count and percentage at this point ?


Take care of yourself----Ray

Title: Re: 3 and 1/2 weeks after starting Atripla.
Post by: zenacupuncture on March 05, 2009, 08:53:29 pm

My T cell count when I was in hospital was 21 and now is 13 but the ID said that it take time for T4 cell count to go up. I hope so. Thanks Ray.

Title: Re: 3 and 1/2 weeks after starting Atripla.
Post by: zenacupuncture on March 05, 2009, 08:54:58 pm

And my CD4/CD8 ratio is very low 0.03

Title: Re: 3 and 1/2 weeks after starting Atripla.
Post by: jayjax on March 07, 2009, 11:51:14 am

zenacupuncture,

Great news.  Atripla will be  your best friend shortly. Keep taking the meds and hopefully any side effects will go away.  I've been on Atripla since Nov 08 and my VL went from 7K to 70 10 wks.  However, my CD4 went down from 268 to 195.  I was worried but my ID doc reassured me that these numbers can change, not to get worried too soon and allow the VL to get to undetectable levels.  Once this happens you should see your CD4 increase, but it may take time for your immune system to heal.

Keep us all posted !!!