Boosted Reyataz monotherapy - anyone else on this regime?

[gemini20]

Nine months of boosted Prezista mono-therapy has come to an end today and I have switched to boosted Reyataz (Atazanavir) mono-therapy for at least the next couple of months. I will be taking one 300mg pill of Reyataz with the Ritonavir each day.

I made the switch because although my numbers have improved, starting point was 112 t-cells (13%) and today they were 315 (23%), I was getting more aware of an increasing lipo belly which I wasn’t prepared to let ‘grow’ to the size where people give up seats on the train thinking I am pregnant! And given I have this weird phobia about pregnant women it really is not a look I want to have.

I was on Reyataz back in 2005 but then it was in combination with Tenofovir / 3TC and Ritonavir so I’m not sure what to expect taking it as a mono-therapy. I’ll probably get the yellowing of the eyes/skin again as this happened within a week last time I was on it.

My doctor has warned me that there is a chance my viral load will not remain undetectable on this regime so we are going to look at the numbers in a month to check what’s happening. Given that my viral load when I was on my last treatment break only averaged 22,447 I’m not too concerned about a rebound if it happens.

Has anyone else been on boosted Reyataz only? I’d be interested to hear of others experience of whether it has kept them undetectable.

Many thanks,


Emma

[weasel]

Hi Emma ,
              I have a question ?

               I am on 300 reyataz boosted with ritonavir WITH  TRUVADA !

                    Why NOT the truvada too ?


               I am naturally  olive Mediterranean any way so a little more  color does me no harm !

               any way just a question ?

                                                                      Karl

[atlq]

Emma,

I am also  a little concerned about the monotherapy you are on. The only studies I have read concerning boosted PI monotherapy were with Kaletra. Is there a reason (resistance to other drugs) that you and your doctor are not using Truvada or another nuke? Sequential monotherapy in the 90's is how a lot us developed some broad level resistance today....

[gemini20]

Hi Karl / Atlq,

Thanks for your response and queries about why no Truvada in my regime.

I'm somewhat of an unconventional patient and have a doctor who's prepared to listen and work with me to find a combination I will tolerate/comply with. I have been positive for 17 years and with the same doctor throughout this time so we have a very good understanding of each other.

As for the meds, I have been through nine different drugs already in 6 different regimes, due to allergic reactions and severe side effects to various meds I am somewhat limited in my options now.

I tried Truvada and didn't even last a week on it due to the reaction I had to it hence why I'm not prepared to try it again. As far as I'm aware I am not resistant to anything, just allergic to Abacavir (ziagen) so that rules out some of the newer combined drugs.

Anyway I'll give it a go and if it doesn't work then I'll be opting to take a break from meds again which is how I've chosen to treat my HIV since 1999 when I first went on meds.

And before anyone chips in, yes I know the evidence from SMART and other studies doesn't support a stop/start strategy but I'm still here with no additional health problems as a result so I guess it's worked for me.

Emma

[weasel]

Hi Emma ,
              WELL I am just nosey !

               What was it that bothered you about truvada ?

               I am very  curious , because when I started  I had a few  " electrical "   problems , as I call them .

               shooting pain , I would fall down !

              This went away  in a week or two , and was not all the time just sometimes . at the time I was

              working as a Cabinet Maker and had to climb ladders and hang from scaffolds , so this was dangerous !

               I still  get wobbly !

                 any way   would love to hear from you on the subject of truvada .

                                                                                                  Karl ,   trying to side our home in one hour increments !

              P.S. my doctor was amazed I had no serious effects of the meds ?

[Miss Philicia]

Emma, I'm confused.  In another thread a few months ago you (finally) admitted, or so I recall, that your last med combo was NOT causing any side effects, and that your issues with compliance were largely psychological in nature.  I believe it was recommended that you try some sort of counseling/therapy as regards this continual issue, and am wondering if you tried that.  I fail to understand why, if you did not try therapy, you are so resistant to doing so for such an important issue.

It's all well and good to label yourself an "unconventional patient" but frankly it's a bit tiring.  Yes, I realize that in the end it's your decision as a patient, but in the context of an internet message board I'm left pondering exactly what you wish for everyone's response to be.

Best of luck.