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Author Topic: Starting AZT  (Read 8619 times)

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Offline appleboy

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Starting AZT
« on: June 27, 2007, 05:48:43 pm »
I am going to be starting AZT tomorrow along with my Atripla to get my VL down to undetectable so I can start the VRX496 Study.  I have read the lesson on it but want to know about other's and AZT.  Has anyone taken or currently on AZT and Atripla?  Any tidbits would be nice.

If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
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Offline aztecan

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  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2007, 07:23:50 pm »
Hey Apple,

I have taken AZT for more than 11 years now, but never with Atripla. I took it with Crixivan for a long time, now I take it with Sustiva.

Oh, and I have also taken Epivir with the AZT ever since starting meds. These days I take them as Combivir.

I know others couldn't tolerate it because of anemia. I have a slight bit of anemia, but never anything to worry about. No other problems from it to date.

It can cause stomach upset at first, so you may want to take it with a snack or a meal.

Aside from that, it is a very potent drug and works well. I hope your numbers are knocked down in no time.

HUGS,

Mark

"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline J.R.E.

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  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2007, 08:02:13 am »
Hello There,

I was only on AZT for one month back in 2004. I was taking it in the Trizivir pill,... was taking it along with Viramune.

I had some difficulty with it. I knew it was the AZT, because I had already been on the other components of trizivir ( Epivir and Ziagen).

The doctor would have preferred I stayed on the Trizivir, but I just couldn't handle it, while putting in a forty hour work week. So, I basically struggled for that month, until I was able to drop the AZT. Made me very tired.


Ray

Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline Lisa

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2007, 12:27:19 pm »
I've been taking Trizivir and Viramune for about seven years now, without any noticeable problems.(lipodystrophy complaints aside)
No Fear  No Shame  No Stigma
Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you have.

Offline redhotmuslbear

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  • A genuine certified freak of nature, and a hot one
Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2007, 01:01:44 pm »
ABD,
Besides stomack irritation, the other thing to be aware of with AZT is something that the docs will surely mointor, as it's very common:  a rise in "mean corpuscular volume."  In other words, your red blood cells will quite literally get fat and lazy, providing poorer oxygen transport and resulting in fatigue.

>>>LICK<<<
"The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do." - BF Skinner
12-31-09   222wks VL  2430 CD4 690 (37%)
09-30-09   208wks VL  2050  CD4 925 (42%)
06-25-08   143wks VL  1359  CD4 668 (32%)  CD8 885
02-11-08   123wks off meds:  VL 1364 CD4 892(40%/0.99 ratio)
10-19-07   112wks off meds:   VL 292  CD4 857(37%/0.85 ratio)

One copy of delta-32 for f*****d up CCR5 receptors, and an HLA B44+ allele for "CD8-mediated immunity"... beteer than winning Powerball, almost!

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2007, 02:35:02 pm »
So far so good.  I did have a bout of dead rear earlier but that has been about it for now. 
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2007, 04:19:55 pm »
ABD,
Besides stomack irritation, the other thing to be aware of with AZT is something that the docs will surely mointor, as it's very common:  a rise in "mean corpuscular volume."  In other words, your red blood cells will quite literally get fat and lazy, providing poorer oxygen transport and resulting in fatigue.

>>>LICK<<<

Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that. I remember a doctor commenting on my red blood cells looking like oversized doughnuts. Boy, that was probably eight or nine years ago now.

I do have occasional bouts of being tired in the afternoons, but nothing untoward. I think the Sustiva makes me feel more tired than the AZT, but that's just me.

Hang in ther Apple.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #7 on: June 28, 2007, 04:23:46 pm »
Yeah Atripla makes me tired.  So I guess I can handle more tired!  Maybe it will make me sleep better at night.
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #8 on: June 28, 2007, 05:23:49 pm »
I recall getting some headaches, but that was about it, and it was not daily.   A simple aspirin sufficed.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2007, 06:06:53 pm »
Thanks guys for the insight!  Now time to fix some food and take another AZT. 
 :-*
Bill
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline SoSadTooBad

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2007, 08:37:18 am »
The AZT in combivir has been working fine for me as well, been on it for a year.  Slight nausea on an empty stomach, as the guys already mentioned, and a few fat lazy red blood cells.  In terms of fatigue...  nothing compared the how I felt before meds, it all seems like a boost to me.  Best of luck.

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2007, 10:52:54 pm »
Thanks!  ;D
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline edfu

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2007, 02:51:56 am »
I was taking Trizivir (which contains AZT) + Sustiva for 3 years, and my T-4's never went over 300.  I switched to Epzicom (which contains two of the three drugs in Trizivir but does not include AZT) + Sustiva, and my T-4's went over 500 in one month.  I went from four drugs to three, and I had a better result without the AZT.     
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline dtwpuck

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  • дано мне тело, что мне делать с ним?
Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2007, 07:27:51 am »
Aside from the projectile public vomiting and the fact that my body stopped producing red blood cells, I handled AZT just fine.
Floating through the void in the caress of two giant pink lobsters named Esmerelda and Keith.

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2007, 12:09:56 pm »
How long did it take for symptoms to show up?  I know lately I have had bouts with the runs and a general sense of feeling sick.  I have managed to be able to take the pill without food if I take it and go back to bed.  I take it with food on work days since I cannot sleep it off and when I eat dinner.  I have also noticed I tend to sleep a lot more.  I have slept for almost 24 hours total this weekend.   :-\
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #15 on: July 01, 2007, 12:59:48 pm »
Any effects will seem more apparent to you during the first month or so.  If it's nothing severe then don't worry, your body will gradually adjust.  Often a small amount of perseverance (and imodium) is needed during this period.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #16 on: July 05, 2007, 08:22:59 pm »
Started a strong anti nausea medication today as I have been feeling so sick from the AZT.  Hopefully this will hold me while my body adjusts.  If not we will be changing the meds around quite a bit.
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #17 on: July 05, 2007, 08:36:35 pm »
Oh dear... sorry for the nausea.  That's certainly never enjoyable. 
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline aztecan

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  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #18 on: July 05, 2007, 08:37:13 pm »
Hey Apple,

I hope you can hang in there, but if not, I will be sending lots of positive energy your way to help you adjust to whatever regimen you switch to.

I know how it feels. I have decided I cannot live with Sustiva any longer, so the doc and I are having a talk on Monday.

Good lucik,

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline J.R.E.

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  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #19 on: July 05, 2007, 08:44:05 pm »


Hopefully the anti nausea medication will kick in, and give some relief. Hang in there !



Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #20 on: July 05, 2007, 08:44:32 pm »
Thanks Philly and Atzecan,
Good luck with your doctor on the sustiva thing.  That is one thing my dr thinks my hiv is mutating against.  We cannot know for sure since my VL is 103 making a genotype useless.  So her thoughts are if we cannot deal with the AZT is:
- drop the AZT
- drop the Sustiva (keeping the other two drugs as truvada)
- add kaletra (which is a boosted pi, just one copay) ... I give you
an 80-90% chance of tolerating this with no problems
- or (if that's tough to tolerate) give you atazanavir (reyataz) and
ritonavir (norvir), a protease inhibitor combination that's pretty
easy to tolerate (98% chance of tolerating w/ no problems, but it's two copays)
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #21 on: July 05, 2007, 08:45:08 pm »
JRE it is working right now thank god!  I was getting to the end of my rope.
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #22 on: July 05, 2007, 09:08:50 pm »
Have you gotten a nausea attack while in the grocery store yet?  So not pretty.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #23 on: July 05, 2007, 11:45:21 pm »
Well lately it has been constant.  I wake up feeling sick go to sleep feeling sick etc.  This medication really helps it is used for surgery patients and chemo patients. 
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline phantim

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #24 on: July 06, 2007, 03:02:22 pm »
ABD,
Besides stomack irritation, the other thing to be aware of with AZT is something that the docs will surely mointor, as it's very common:  a rise in "mean corpuscular volume."  In other words, your red blood cells will quite literally get fat and lazy, providing poorer oxygen transport and resulting in fatigue.

>>>LICK<<<

That's exactly what happened to me while on AZT. I think I was on the couch for an entire year.

Offline DavidinCA92284

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #25 on: July 06, 2007, 09:31:20 pm »
Sorry to chime in late on this topic, but for me, AZT after 2 months being on it years ago made me anemic - to the point that I needed a blood transfusion.   It also caused me not only to feel tired and fatigued, but made me feel minimized.......Truely......it made me feel that I was in a trash compactor and that I was being pushed down from the head into the ground.   It was a very uncomfortable and exhuasting drug for me and I will never be on it again.   But, that's just my account.
- david

Offline edfu

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #26 on: July 07, 2007, 02:54:54 am »
I was also diagnosed with macrocytic anemia while on AZT.  It means "fat" red blood cells, or an increase in "mean corpuscular volume."   
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #27 on: July 07, 2007, 04:04:02 pm »
if anemia happens with AZT how long does it usually take?  Is it sudden or gradual and you have some small warning it is happening?
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline aztecan

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  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #28 on: July 07, 2007, 05:14:27 pm »
Some people notice it very quickly. You would feel absolutely drained of energy, to begin with.

Your doc will most likely check your RBC when he next sees you. If not, remind him. It may not happen to you (it didn't to me). But our Cubby Bear down under had a terrible time with it.

If memory serves, he noticed it within a few weeks.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline appleboy

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Re: Starting AZT
« Reply #29 on: July 07, 2007, 09:35:46 pm »
Thanks Mark!  :-*
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

 


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