Still concerned about my VL...

[Pippet]

Hello all,

  I am still concerned about having a detectable VL.  As you can see by my numbers, I have been undetectable only once since starting Truvada/ Kaletra (19 months ago).  My doc suggested taking my Kaletra in one dose instead of two doses (I started doing that).  I am sure he questions my 100% adherence.
  Has anyone else had this problem?  How concerned should I be?  Are there any opinions on all at once verses twice a day for the Kaletra?

Thanks for any input,
Pip

[Miss Philicia]

You've been undetectable once, and it could be feasible that it took a year to get there.  Then the 9-12 result could possibly be looked at as a blip if your next result returns you to undetectable.  I'd assume that you're next test is in December so you'll know by then. 

As far as the once versus twice dosing of Kaletra I have no input, as I never did that when I was on Kaletra for years.

But yeah, I can understand that you're frustrated looking over your sig line and how you spent basically the first year switching things around due to side effect reactions.  On balance the current regimen is ALMOST there in terms of working.  Certainly you've had a nice immune reconstitution with your cd4 numbers.

I guess what I'd do during your next visit is put your doctor on the spot and say "At what point, if my viral load does not reach undetectable, do you plan on switching me to the next regimen?" -- that way you have a concrete target date in your head for making a decision together and looking at what you'd go on next.

I'd try to relax and wait for your next results.  You're not going to die or anything, trust me.

[Pippet]

Thanks for the reply Philly.

I guess for now, all I can do is wait and see what my next results reveal.

After a year of searching for a regimen that my body would put up with, the thought of switching to a new one is nerve racking to say the least.

My husband was <48VL by month 4 and it made me wonder what was going wrong with me.
On the up side, my CD4s are looking good, and everything except my damn viral load is normal.

Take Care,
Pip