Help! What are the best combos with Isentress? Need to change over now!

[jm1953]

Hey Members:

Having issues with current drug regimen consisting of Prezista, Norvir, (hate it), Emtriva, and Sustiva.  Since I've been on this for the past two years I've noticed considerable lipoatrophy in legs, and bigger belly.  I know three of these can cause this.  Plus my kidney functions are falling to moderate stage three kidney disease.   Would like to go on Isentress, but what with!  Seems like I have a contraindication with most of the meds used with Isentress like Truvada, because of Viread which will not work with my kidney condition. 

Any suggestions what to use with Isentress?  Know I need to take at least two other medications but would like to avoid PI's, Norvir, AZT, and Viread.  Realize I should probably take a drug resistance test before going on anything different.  But can't tolerate what I'm on anymore!!!

Appreciate your comments based on your experience with Isentress.  Also I'm a long termer, about 23 years.

Thanks a bunch,

Jeff

[aztecan]

Hey Jeff,

I responded to the other thread as well, but would like to state that, for the most part, Isentress was one of the easiest and least issue causing med I have been on since I started meds 15 years ago.

I will probably end up having to switch (I have a thread on it in the LTS forum).

I was wondering if a combo of a nuke and non nuke with the Isentress might not be workable. If so, Epivir is delightfully side-effect free.

Just a thought.

HUGS,

Mark

[AtriplaSideEffects]

I just switched from Atripla to Travada and Isentress last week.  I feel a lot better without the side effects of the Sustiva but having stomach issues (bloating, gas and a little burning sensation).   Does anyone know if this is temporary or long term?   If long term, I need to re-evaluate the Isentress. 

[Miss Philicia]

I just switched from Atripla to Travada and Isentress last week.  I feel a lot better without the side effects of the Sustiva but having stomach issues (bloating, gas and a little burning sensation).   Does anyone know if this is temporary or long term?   If long term, I need to re-evaluate the Isentress. 

Bloating/gas issues are from the viread component of truvada most likely. For most people they subside, and if not you can do something like take digestive enzymes or something similar -- talk to your doctor.