Hope Springs Eternal

[Lostgirl]

Hi Everyone

Well I was going to start this topic with how I was getting on with my meds which I started on Saturday but last night my husband came home with the results of his latest blood work.  He began meds about six weeks ago and it has been really rough on him as the treatment was very aggressive, but the results have been staggering.  For all you newbies out there - there is hope.  He began with a CD4 level of 89 (we thought it was higher) and a Viral Load of 1.6 million.  Yesterday his viral load was, ..... 3,000!!!!!  Can you believe this?  We believe his CD4 levels went up quite a bit also but he and the nurse were so overwhelmed by the VL results that he can't remember what was said!  We celebrated by having some chocolates out of the box my sister left - I hadn't had any (I am a chocoholic) because of my cholesterol levels and being on a very low fat/cholesterol diet but hey yesterday called for a celebration!  We both had worked very hard at getting him over the side effects and eating etc and it has paid off.  I thought the results should be good as he was looking SO much better and had far more energy.  Lets hope it continues.

I started Combivir (twice daily) and Sustiva (one at night) on Saturday.  Apart from three days of the trots (and this could have been a result of my high fibre low fat diet) the only side effect, so far, is fatigue.  More so than normal.  Does anyone else on this regime find this?  I am still managing to do the housework etc (unfortunately!) but feel more tired, appetite is not great and have no enthusiasm for going out at all.  Its very, very early days yet so am not too bothered as long as the next set of results look good!  My next appointment is Dec 18th.  I was supposed to be on meds for my cholesterol but feel I have enough with the HIV treatment at the present so hence putting myself on the diet.  I would like to exercise more to help but toooooo exhausted at present. 

Fingers crossed for things to keep going on track, not just for us, but for all of you.
Hugs
Lorraine x

[BT65]

Hi Lorraine, great news on your husband's results!  As for the fatigue, I'm on Sustiva and this can definitely be the cause.  Since you just started, give yourself a little while to get used to it, and you should be back to your old self.  Just hang in there.  We're here for you.