POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Hellraiser on February 19, 2010, 03:57:22 pm
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So today I had my first visit with the Doctor since basically I was put onto Atripla and it was pretty ordinary.
However he seems to think that what I was thinking may be Folliculitis or Sebbhoric Dermatitis may in fact be the Atripla Rash that just has never resolved. He gave me a 2 week round of Tetracycline to rule out this being caused by bacteria (I think) and I'll be returning to see him in 3 weeks to get the results of the blood work drawn today. I'm really hoping not to have to change my regimen, but if it clears me up I suppose I'd be all for it. Would swapping the Kaletra for the Sustiva fix me and is Kaletra twice daily? Fingers crossed for good numbers.
Also I kept hinting at him that I would like to have my testosterone checked, but he was either playing obtuse or really didn't get the hint. When I change doctors (and at some point I definitely will be changing doctors) I'm going to ask very directly. I also asked for the list of mutations although I haven't researched them yet here's what they are. Any commentary would be appreciated.
NRTI:
118i
365i
399WT/D
NNRTI:
399WT
PI:
10WT/i
15WT/i
63P
93L
I have no idea how to make heads or tails of all that except I know WT means Wild Type.
-Trey
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Hey Trey:
I started Atripla on 12/4 -- and have noticed that the bottoms of my feet are extremely dry --- is this the type of condition you are having? I didn't get any type of rash in the first few weeks and haven't had really any side effects except the morning grogginess and a few vivid dreams. I will have to check some of my first lab work and see if I have mutations..... I remember seeing a whole lot of alphabet/numeric types of numbers like you listed but really didn't know anything about them. I know that in the area where they listed all of the various HIV drugs it showed no resistance to any of them. When does testosterone usually get affected and how would I know? (Also, just an aside, had to smile when you brought up getting the testosterone checked, after seeing the lady ga-ga may be a man comment in the other post :) )
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The "rash" I'm talking about appeared almost immediately after starting atripla and has slowly over time reduced in severity. I figured initially that my immune system was so beat up that as it started picking back up it was just reacting to every little thing on my skin (I'm no doctor I just rationalized this to myself) because it wasn't a rash per se. It's hard to describe exactly. It occured in very specific areas...Face, behind my ears, upper chest, upper back, and upper arms. Moffie thought it might be folliculitis, Philicia thought it might be Sebbhoric Dermatitis, but after reviewing an exhaustive amount of photos of both afflictions, it just doesn't look like either. The timing is right for it to be the atripla rash, but I just figured I would wait and ask my doctor. He didn't immediately recognize it as anything so beats the hell out of me.
Low testosterone is apparently fairly common in anyone (man or woman I think?) who is HIV positive, the longer you've been infected the worse it can presumably be. If my gallbladder being removed was due to HIV infection then I've been infected for at least 5 years, although my guess is probably closer to 10 since that's when I was pulling extremely stupid sexual stunts. So I'm fairly curious to at least see the number. It's generally associated with a lack of energy, motivation, sex drive and erections.
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oh okay -- thanks for the info
I was getting tested about every three to six months prior to being diagnosed -- so I was probably infected about 7/08 -- diagnosed 9/08. I have to check w/ my doctor and see about this dry feet thing --- when I go on 3/1 it will be second visit since starting on Atripla - so i'm hoping vl will b down to "0".
Do you ever get down this way (MIA?).
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Well I had the same experience as you -- little response about the testosterone question. The thing to do in these situations is press on until you get an answer that you are satisfied. My ID is that busy star type who seems to not want to waste a moment of time. I guess its a matter of trust in someone's expertise. My generalist was perplexed by the testosterone question. And my shrink ignorant but referred me to an neurologist and also spoke about the dynamics of SSRIs. When I had sustiva issues I made them all talk to each other and that got resolved. Otherwise I think one can have too many cooks with egos and specialities and finally they all walk away from the pot and nobody actually seasons the broth.
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Truthfully I'm not even really sure where in Florida Ft. Lauderdale is geographically. I've been to Pensacola a few times, but not much further.
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we are all the way at the bottom - on the east coast - facing Atlantic Ocean. Pensacola is about 8-9 hrs northwest. 8)
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If the skin issue continues you might want to ask for a referral to a dermatologist. When I first went on HAART my skin was covered with bumps too. My GP thought it was folliculitis and prescribed an antibiotic (making my ID doc incredibly nervous) but in the end he sent me to a dermatologist.
The dermatologist took about 30 seconds. He said he hadn't seen any since the 90's, but that it was molluscum contagiosum.
Good luck
A
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erections.
Erectile dysfunction at 28? Color me dubious. You just want to get jacked up on free tee.
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Erectile dysfunction at 28? Color me dubious. You just want to get jacked up on free tee.
I didn't say >I< was having that problem, I can show you if you want.
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Mecch googles Molluscum contagiosum and marvels at its weirdness.
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I didn't say >I< was having that problem, I can show you if you want.
Is it worth looking at? I have very high standards. Plus I'm on my second Yuengling Lager so I'm getting horny. I can't decide if I want to watch the Haitian machofucker video or Tim Kruger in the last scene of Reckless.
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Si tu parles cadjin et peux preparer des boules de boudin, ta teub n'est qu'un plus.
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Tim Kruger can be had for free and Thom Barron hustles bareback with his bf. Just so you know it all goes down in Zurich.
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Si tu parles cadjin et peux preparer des boules de boudin, ta teub n'est qu'un plus.
I don't speak Cajun, I can't make Boudin...the rest I don't know what you said.
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Well, failing the first two, we resort to charm and size.
Seriously though, I hope you get the testosterone answer you need. I'll be making the rounds on that issue again next week and will report in to this thread. Miss P must be right in a nutshell I'm sure there are downsides to T supplementation and you only get it if you really need it.
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Is it worth looking at? I have very high standards.
I'd be happy to check it out for you ;D
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I'm not sure about your particular list of mutations but if you have "wild type" that means it's sensitive to most or all of the drugs. Didn't you also get the results of the test where they list each drug and it will say "sensitive" or "resistant" for each one?
There's a Stanford database website where you can put the mutations in and it spits out the info.
If it did get to a point where you wanted to switch, why would you want to switch to Kaletra? Assuming you don't have mutations rendering you resistant, there are many other better choices than Kaletra.
If you know where Miami is, Ft. Lauderdale is about one hour north.
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Miss P must be right in a nutshell I'm sure there are downsides to T supplementation and you only get it if you really need it.
It's more like long-term use is largely an unknown, and as I've previously stated over and over the reason I took the chance is for weight gain -- if you drop 35 lbs suddenly like I did you'll do whatever it takes. But if you just have a low number on a lab report and that's it then why take it? Yeah, everyone complains of fatigue but frankly most people with HIV have that even with normalized testosterone numbers. I guess it depends on the severity, but then most fatigue is amplified by depression, and while low t numbers contribute to depression like Dr. Gallant stated and Inchling linked to elsewhere just going on Androgel isn't going to magically reverse one's depression issues.
I think testosterone therapy is valuable in some circumstances, but I think it's wildly over-prescribed now and many HIV specialists I'm sure would agree with my assessment. I also always find it amusing that everyone complains about pill load and seeks the holy grail of once-daily dosing, but when it comes to slapping on the testosterone they sign up in a heartbeat. It's a candified word for gay men.
And on that note I will clearly state that I totally enjoyed being so horny when I had the injections (frankly Androgel didn't increase libido) that not only did I require daily raunchy sex with an actual person, but then later I'd have to watch porn and ride a dildo... and I don't mean a small one either. In the end though that constant need made me more tired, not less, and more stressed out and less focused at work. Oh, and if you think I'm a nasty c*nt now you should have seen me in a roid rage. I was a dildo riding hell-on-wheels high maintenance super-dramafied C*ntessa.
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I was a dildo riding hell-on-wheels high maintenance super-dramafied C*ntessa.
was? ;D
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As far as the Testosterone, my doctor ran the test because I hadn't had sex in 2 years, and wasnt really interested in having any, had slight fatigue, erections not as hard as they could be....all the usual suspects.
I tested extremely low (30-40ish, I forget). and yes, it has helped immensely in all the areas above. But I think it's overrated. I thought it would be like cocaine and I would be superman, but eh, its ok. It's become more of a pain in the ass because my insurance no longer covers the gel so i have to use the hideous flesh colored patches.
even though Im not taking injections I do have mini "roid rages" as P calls it, but nothing even CLOSE to what he describes. I also have the headaches. Doc said the only thing she needs to watch while im on therapy is my prostrate size (which is fine with me, I tend to enjoy the exam). Just kidding/ or am I.
Anyways, my point is that your young and unless you are experiencing the Usual symptoms of Low T I wouldn't really worry too much about it.
-Will
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Hell, don't "hint" to your doctor that you want your testosterone tested....
TELL HIM!!!
Honestly, you girls need to up your game.
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As far as the Testosterone, my doctor ran the test because I hadn't had sex in 2 years, and wasnt really interested in having any, had slight fatigue, erections not as hard as they could be....all the usual suspects.
Even when my t numbers were out of range before going on injections I was still as sexually functioning as I'd always been -- never had erection issues, could always manage an orgasm (or two) daily, etc.
If people aren't having sex they need to state if they mean with other people or not even able to masturbate -- and is it a motivation based issue or purely a physical inability. Depression can cause a drop in sexual desire, but if you force the motivation, throw on some German porn, etc. and can still squirt out some jism then the issue is mental or at least partially.
Even when I have depression issues I still force myself to have one daily masturbation session. And not a five minute one either.
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Even when my t numbers were out of range before going on injections I was still as sexually functioning as I'd always been -- never had erection issues, could always manage an orgasm (or two) daily, etc.
If people aren't having sex they need to state if they mean with other people or not even able to masturbate -- and is it a motivation based issue or purely a physical inability. Depression can cause a drop in sexual desire, but if you force the motivation, throw on some German porn, etc. and can still squirt out some jism then the issue is mental or at least partially.
Even when I have depression issues I still force myself to have one daily masturbation session. And not a five minute one either.
Good point. Mine was Libido related. We touched on the depression issue and she said Low T can cause Depression.
So which came first, Low T or Depression resulting in low sex drive?
Whatever the answer is...The TRT is working for me.
-Will
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Hell Raiser,
Maybe I've missed it in another thread, but out of curiosity how long have you been on Atripla and what are your numbers? That is if you wish to share...
-Will
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September 8th First Draw was CD4: 15, VL: 700,000
October (9th?) Second Draw 2 weeks on Atripla CD4: 16, VL:5,000
February 19th Third Draw 4 months on Atripla (results in 3 weeks)
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September 8th First Draw was CD4: 15, VL: 700,000
October (9th?) Second Draw 2 weeks on Atripla CD4: 16, VL:5,000
February 19th Third Draw 4 months on Atripla (results in 3 weeks)
Very impressive VL drop. Congrats!
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Thanks, hoping to see my CD4 soar, but trying not to get my hopes up.
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Hell, don't "hint" to your doctor that you want your testosterone tested....
TELL HIM!!!
Honestly, you girls need to up your game.
I was just talking to my partner how many of us don't tell our docs what we want/need. We pay them good money--they work for us. We would not act this way with the plumber or contractor. Society makes docs into gods. Some are god-like, but most are not. I have the same problem that I won't speak up and speak my mind.
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I was just talking to my partner how many of us don't tell our docs what we want/need. We pay them good money--they work for us. We would not act this way with the plumber or contractor. Society makes docs into gods. Some are god-like, but most are not. I have the same problem that I won't speak up and speak my mind.
What if this man was your doctor?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqeC3BPYTmE&feature=related
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Then I would be asking for a digital exam constantly cause Alec Baldwin was Hooooooot.
"Are you sure everything's okay back there Alec? Maybe you should try 4 fingers, just to be sure."
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LMAO!!! Too damn funny!!
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...
And on that note I will clearly state that I totally enjoyed being so horny when I had the injections (frankly Androgel didn't increase libido) that not only did I require daily raunchy sex with an actual person, but then later I'd have to watch porn and ride a dildo... and I don't mean a small one either. In the end though that constant need made me more tired, not less, and more stressed out and less focused at work. Oh, and if you think I'm a nasty c*nt now you should have seen me in a roid rage. I was a dildo riding hell-on-wheels high maintenance super-dramafied C*ntessa.
Oh my stars! :D
I think America's demonization of steroids has made some docs very leery of anything that hints of them.
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Just had a visit with my doc too, Hellraiser. I've been on Atripla for 2 1/2 years now and have had no bad side effects to speak of. My CD4s have been holding steady and my VL has been undetectable for almost 2 years now. At first it was off the chart and I started with a lonely little CD4 count of 53. That scared the crap out of me to know that it had gotten so low. Good luck with the therapy. I hope you get your skin issues resolved.
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VL: UD
CD4: 295
These are improvements in both. My Viral Load had a blip 2 tests in a row to around the 80-90 mark and has now retreated back to nothing. CD4 is closing on 300. I'm hoping in another 5 years I can make it to 500, FINGERS CROSSED!
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VL: UD
CD4: 295
CD4 is closing on 300. I'm hoping in another 5 years I can make it to 500, FINGERS CROSSED!
You'll get there. I never thought that I would get much above 300, but I did. And while I am still, out of range, of where my t cells should be, and where my percentage should be, I am doing a hell of a lot better than 10 years ago. One day at a time !
Ray 8)
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Good luck Ray,
this past AUG 2013, I got all the way up to 647 T-cells and now 6 months later I'am all the way down to 240 :-[
hopefully I'll rebound w/ the new meds, as long as I don't keep getting all of these secondary infections, I just got over a horrible bout of oral thrush :-[
so I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for higher numbers
HUGS
DEN
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You will get there before you know it . Congrats on the good numbers !
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Erectile dysfunction at 28? Color me dubious. You just want to get jacked up on free tee.
Think not. Perhaps more a chemistry dysfunction. You'd be surprised what happens to old codgers like me (and I assume others) when the chemistry ignites.
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Think not. Perhaps more a chemistry dysfunction. You'd be surprised what happens to old codgers like me (and I assume others) when the chemistry ignites.
thanks for the glimmer off hope.
VL: UD
CD4: 295
These are improvements in both. My Viral Load had a blip 2 tests in a row to around the 80-90 mark and has now retreated back to nothing. CD4 is closing on 300. I'm hoping in another 5 years I can make it to 500, FINGERS CROSSED!
All 4 off them Alec.