POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: softballdude2012 on September 11, 2012, 10:55:53 pm
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Hello Ya'll,
I went to the doctors for my follow up appointment today. My CD4 is at 752 and my viral load is 11669.
After spending quite some time with my doctor, who I really like, we have decided together to start Atripla. I decided against the study because I was not ready for a computer screen to tell me no meds. I thought very long and hard about that and felt it was in my best interest to start meds.
The doctor told me to keep living life and just be aware of the side effects. She stated the most common are vivid dreams and skin rash.
I don't normally dream so that one does not really bother me.
I have very sensitive skin, so I am worried about the rash.
I start the medication tomorrow as my pharmacy did not have it in stock, persay. I pick it up tomorrow night.
I am nervous and happy all in one. Nervous on side effects but happy I am taking care of me, Mr Number One. LOL...
I must humor myself a little bit.
My meds are being covered so I don't have to worry about that. I feel very fortunate that there are programs out there to help out.
Anyways, thanks for listening
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Hey SBdude.
I just recently started reading/posting here as of a week and a half ago. I have appreciated the ones who took the time to respond to my post with good info/advice.
I am meeting with my ID dr on thursday to go over my #'s and discuss meds for the first time so we are in a similar boat. I'm sorry you are having to experience this as well.
I am also thinking I want to go on meds right away (although i'm pretty sure in the throws of seroconversion right now...my CD4 two weeks ago was 360 and VL 6,383,000 which made me fall off my chair plus i'm feeling like a truck hit me..I'll get my new #s on thursday)
What made you decide to go on meds as your #'s are looking pretty good?
Do you know when you were infected or how long you may have had the virus for? Did you have any seroconversion symptoms?
Curious how your first day of med taking goes as well.
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Sounds like your in a good place and frame of mind to start meds. Relax about the side effects. You'll be good.
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Hey Softballdude,
Glad to hear you are doing well - I like your sense of humor. I started Complera about 3 weeks ago and was pretty concerned about the side effects - but so far side effects have been minimal to non-existent. I think people are more likely to post when there are side effects (which is understandable) and therefore we read more about the side effects than the majority that don't have side effects and don't post.
Lincon,
What made you decide to go on meds as your #'s are looking pretty good?
My numbers were similar to Softball's and the number one reason for me going on meds is that I am in a relationship, my partner is negative, and I wanted to do anything I could to reduce the risk of transmission. I do have a pretty high insurance co-pay for meds (even after the giliad assistance program), and I will say the financial impact was something I had to think about and probably would have impacted my decision more if I wasn't partnered.
I hope that truck backs off you soon.
JM
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Hey Everyone,
Thanks for responding.
Lincoln, the reason I decided with the meds right away is because I am a smoker. Smoking is bad and I am well aware. I know smoking automatically weakens my immune system so I want to be safe than sorry. I also want to say sorry you had to join all of us here, but we are glad you did. I don't really have much experience with this or many to talk to about it. I only can give my advice as to what I have been through thus far.
I was diagnosed in July 2012. I think I was infected in the end of Feb. I am not really certain as none of us can be.
When my body I think was transitioning as I like to call it, I felt sick like I had a cold and I could not shake it for the life of me. It was like for two weeks and I took many over the counter meds trying to shake it. It finally went away.
At that point I felt fine. My doctor described that to me as possibly going from stage one to stage two of the virus. There are four stages to this in case you did not know.
Then everything fell into place. I took immediate action. I went to healthy relationships class, it was a five week course on how to live with HIV. I got a counselour to have someone to talk to and I got a case worker to help me figure out how to pay for the meds.
No one wants this virus, but I have to make the best of the situation. I mean I know there will be days where I will be angry and upset, but life is going to go on. I am an active guy, play softball, I bowl, I am starting volleyball, and I like to socialize.
My opinion and this is only my opinion as I am no doctor and I do not want people thinking I am trying to tell you what to do: get on the meds right away. You can bounce back and be back to undectable before you know it.
I spent over three hours with my doctor and with the pharmicist to get this all figured out.
My medication was not in today so I should be starting it tomorrow, I will definately post what goes on and how it effects me.
The doc said most side effects hang around for a couple weeks to a month and then disappear.
I hope you found this helpful if not, ignore it lol
Thanks JM for the heads up, they offered that one to me, but I decided against it as we need to eat with that one, my lunch is always spotty so I decided for the one to take at night on an empty stomach. Thanks for reading and posting.
I hope everyone is doing all right, we just have to remember we are not alone in this.
Thanks,
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Welcome to the forums.
The decision to treat freaks a lot of people out initially, but it's mostly plus-side stuff.
There are heaps of different treatment options these days. If (and I must emphasise it's an if not a when) you get side effects, so you can be swapped onto something with different mode of action.
Smack that virus around the head! Take charge of your health.
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Hello Everyone.
So I went and got my meds today. I will start tonight and from here on out. I will post if I do have any side effects.
I am nervous and releived all in one.
Thanks Harley for the welcome, I plan on smacking it in the head with a big ol sledgehammer!!!
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The dreams can be orgasmic. Welcome to Atripla, the little pill that saved my life!
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Hi! I hope it went well for you. I have now been on the Atripla for 10 days and had minor side effects, got the rash yesterday, but hoping it will clear up soon, its not that bad at all.. Great attitude will get you far my friend! :)
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Hi Drew, thanks for the heads up!!! How have you been?
Hi Euro, that is the one thing I am afraid about is the rash...Let me know if it progresses. what does it look like?
Hopefully I will luck out and have none but who knows, time is ticking til I take the first pill...
Thanks,
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The rash is a bit worse today but not at all as bad as i thought it would be, just wears a hoodie and noone will notice but you, and you can always use it as an excuse to stay in and watch amazing movies! soon, this initial phase will be over and we can focus on the next step of our lives. Healthy.
http://justmeandhiv.blogspot.se/
ps, the rash looks like little red pimples, some a bit raised but most flat on the skin.
The antihistamines worked! I think without them it would have been more severe.
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Thanks Euro!!!
My first night was a little strange. I took the pill at 10 47pm. I had a terrible time trying to fall asleep. Then I drifted off, woke up around 1am to use the bathroom, and I couldn't walk straight to save the life of me. I felt very dizzy, almost like I was drinking all night.
Fell back to sleep, and then felt groggy until about 12 30pm - 1pm. Work in the morning was a little rough.
I am looking forward to see how it affects me tonight and into tomorrow morning.
Just focusing on the positive and that is I will be much healthier. Plus I can't judge medication on just one day.
Thanks
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Don't worry, the first night is the worst. The second night it gets much easier and then it gets better each day.
Don't worry about the rash, if you do get it it usually only lasts a day or two and antihistamines work great.
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Have a go at taking your medications a bit earlier so that your sleep is not as disturbed. Mine are all supposed to be able to be taken with or without food, but I got nausea without food, so now I have a meal or snack with mine.
Spring here in Australia. I should get back to softball again this year after a 4 year break. My partner hates it (depth perception problems from being blind in one eye) but maybe I should just get out and about and play it again without him. OMG seperate social circles... this will be an interresting dynamic.
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Thanks Bug and Harley!
Last night I didn't eat anything but for lunch, I wanted to make sure my stomach was empty. Tonight I just got done eating, so I will take it right around the same time. I wonder if it will make a difference.
I know it gets easier but man I was way out of today.
Harley, absolutely get out and play some ball, I am sad my season is drawing to a close. 6 weeks left. I do however have my bowling and volleyball to look forward too.
Invite your husband to watch the game, he doesn't have to play. Being a fan and cheering is just as important to those who play. He can get a nice tan haha!!
thanks for the kind words!
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Mine are all supposed to be able to be taken with or without food, but I got nausea without food, so now I have a meal or snack with mine.
just a quick FYI:
it is important to follow guidelines concerning food. The reason food* is important is for absorption rates. With the right amt of food (or no food) the proper amount of medication is absorbed into the bloodstream. If the guidelines are not properly followed, a person risks too little or too much med into their system. Too much can result in negative side effects like nausea, etc. Too little can potentially create resistance.
*Most HIV meds requiring food need about 400 calories. This kind of info can always be found in the package insert (google the name of your med plus "package insert" to find the pdf listed all the facts about that med)
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Thanks Leather! I am pretty sure my stomach will be empty in a couple hours...please don't think I am trying to disregard the rules of the medication...
I hope all is well
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The thing with Atripla is in the begining you really should take it on an empty stomach. If you don't...it wont affect the efficacy of the meds but it will cause you to have some pretty significant side effects. If you think you were dizzy last night, eat a piece of pizza with your Atripla and hold on.
After a few months you can start to relax the food restriction. You will just need to see how you are doing. I can take Atripla with or without food now, but I have been on it for awhile, in the begining it F'd me up. Again, you'll be good