Author Topic: Goodbye Kaletra (Read 6821 times)

MSPspud · « **on:** January 22, 2007, 09:10:02 am »

This weekend, I got to switch my regimen for something simpler and perhaps a little less toxic. For the last year and a half I’ve been taking Kaletra, Invirase and Epzicom as I had acquired some resistance from my initial infection years ago. Having two major protease inhibitors in my life has fortunately not effected my lipids and has been manageable in most ways, though my sleep has always been an issue. I’ve never been able to pin-point which drug it was, but suspected it was the Kaletra (or maybe just an unknown consequence of the entire mix).

Anyway to make a long story short, I talked my doctor into prescribing Prezista/R with Epzicom - essentially dropping two protease inhibitors for one. I decided to do the switch on Saturday and had been prepared for WWIII with side effects, etc. To my surprise, nothing happened. With the exception of a light headedness for about two hours, I couldn’t tell I made any switch. I was even able to do squats at the gym without getting sick (which did happen when I started anti-virals 1.5 years ago and I thought I was superman by doing squats on the first day). Best of all, I had the most refreshing sleep last night and didn’t feel like throwing my alarm against the bedroom wall this morning.

Goodbye Kaletra/Invirase!

Life · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:14:50 am »

So your are leaving me out in the cold with Kaletra?? May your new regimin have you in the best of shape for those late night gym workouts!!!

Love

MSPspud · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:20:38 am »

OK, one other thing I forgot to mention... The switch has really triggered my appetite! Today I decided I'm going to get a better handle on that

J.R.E. · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:28:54 am »

Hello,

Wishing you the best on the new regimen. I have never been on any of the Protease inhibitors yet, so I can't really comment on them. Glad to hear the appetite has improved, and that everything is going well.

Take care----------Ray

RAB · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:45:58 am »

Hey Spud

Good luck with the new regimen! I use Kaletra/Invirase myself so I know the challenges it can present. I'm intrigued about the sleep problem and how it seems to have improved. That's great news. Keep us posted on whether that continues. I'd love to know.

RAB

aztecan · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:53:03 am »

Hey Spud,
I don't know anything about Kaletra, but I took Invirase for two months back in early 1996.

YUCK!

Taking three capsules, three times a day, with a heavy, fat-filled meal and grapefruit juice.

Let's just say, it didn't make Mark a happy camper.

Good luck with the new regimen.

HUGS,

Mark

MSPspud · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:54:36 am »

My sleep issues were about staying asleep. I had no problem getting to sleep, but I would wake about every two hours or just kind of rest lightly all night long. I always felt like I was on a drunken sleep - the kind that's not restful. I was talking a low-dose tricycline which seemed to help but it was just another chemical band-aide. Jack had the same issues at one time and I've heard it before. Since I'm still new into this switch, hopefully this improvement will stick. I'll keep you posted, RAB.

As for the eating... It's not a good thing. I can eat like a horse as it is and then to increase my appetite. Oh boy! I guess it's just more control.

Mark, I was taking the hard pills with Invirase. They don't make that kind of Invirase (saquinavir gel caps) anymore. Thank god!

Thank you all, guys!

woodshere · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:57:22 am »

Best of luck on your travels with the new regimen.

Woods

Regretsafew · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2007, 10:13:23 am »

Good luck on your new regimen. Hope everything works out for the best!

Joey

jack · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2007, 10:14:30 am »

that is so interesting. I was wondering why I kept getting up at 3am every morning while on Kaletra. I am an early morning person and loved it.
i have been on prezista for several months now and am having very few sides and great results. First time in 18 years I am undetectable for more than one month. good luck.

sweetasmeli · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2007, 10:39:27 am »

Jason, I've been wondering how your switch went...fingers toes n eyes crossed for you honey, that this combo works better for you.

As for eating, as long as you're eating mainly good stuff and continue working out as much as you do, I wouldn't worry about it!

Hugs
Melia

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2007, 11:44:34 am »

I was on Kaletra for about five years, and they added Invirase for maybe the last 2 years of that though I had taken Invirase initially when PI's first came out. I also just switched to off that to Prezista (with fuzeon though) 8 months ago and had my best health ever.

Anyway, so THAT was why my sleep sucked? Good to know, though maybe not with me because I think my bad sleep began a couple years earlier. I just blame all HIV medication for it, as I still have insomnia issue though from time to time, it is better with my current stuff.

david3012 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2007, 11:49:09 am »

Hi

Its not often that I post on here but thought I would have to add to this. I too am on Kaletra, for five years now and have the same interrupted sleeping that others have mentioned. I seem to wake up every hours or so and sleep very lightly. This has developed over the last 3/4 years to the point now where I very rarely get a 'good nights sleep'.

David

Seven · « **Reply #13 on:** January 22, 2007, 12:40:47 pm »

Glad your off it too! I took it for what seems like forever. Damn, I mean the doctor warned me that is would make my boobs grow by DAMN! Ok, I gained a ton of weight on Kaletra. What's so fun about taking six huge ass orange pills everyday?

PFT $:-\$

lydgate · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:59:08 pm »

Good news about the switch, Jason. Being a major insomniac, I can relate. And no WWIII plus squats. Yay! As for the appetite thing -- better a large appetite than a tiny or non-existent one, I think. Jay

Life · « **Reply #15 on:** January 22, 2007, 10:29:19 pm »

I dont get it... I sleep like a baby K.... But I also work 80 hours a week, maybe that should be part of the K script? Dont like the weight thing but I am dealing with it on the SPUD diet plan...

northernguy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 23, 2007, 02:16:19 am »

Did you have GI issues with Kaletra? I've heard horror stories from my doc, so when the time comes I'm inclined to avoid it. Plus I have sleep apnea, so I don't need anything else in my lfe to wake me up!

MSPspud · « **Reply #17 on:** January 23, 2007, 09:16:30 am »

Northernguy, I think you're going to get GI issues with just about any protease inhibitor, so it's not really special to Kaletra anymore (with the new formulation). Most people adjust to it within a few months.

As for the sleep issues, generally they're much worse with the NNRTI's like Sustiva. It's just some of us who've experienced it on Kaletra. I guess you won't know until you try it. There's always the possibility of switching if the first regimen isn't quite your thing.

Lou-ah-vull · « **Reply #18 on:** January 23, 2007, 12:17:09 pm »

I have been on Kaletra since mid-May 2006 with no difficult side effects. Like many, there are some gut issues.... mostly loose stools, especially immediately after eating. I have had no sleep effects at all. My lipids are a concern (as they are with many of us on PI-based regimens.) I had my fasting lipids taken yesterday morning and I will see if I am still experiencing elevated triglycerides and total cholesterol. My Kaletra is teamed up with Combivir and I have had very good results so far.

northernguy · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2007, 01:12:00 am »

Quote from: MSPspud on January 23, 2007, 09:16:30 am

Northernguy, I think you're going to get GI issues with just about any protease inhibitor, so it's not really special to Kaletra anymore (with the new formulation). Most people adjust to it within a few months...

Ahh, excellent, one more thing to look forward to

fearless · « **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2007, 03:42:35 am »

Great news Jason. So it's been easy on the stomach and gi and out the other end? Wow.

My flatmate can't wait for Prezista to be approved in Aus. Kaletra and he just don't get along, and he has few other options. I'll pass on the good news.

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Author Topic: Goodbye Kaletra (Read 6821 times)