medication break`

[delspann]

I recently made a decision to take a break from my meds.  My viral load is undectable, tcell above 600.  My liver and kidney are in good shape but I feel they need a break.  I tested pos in july of 1991 and on my 21st diagnosis anniversary I made the decision it was time for a break.  I'm wondering if anyone has done this in the past and how it worked out.  I understand there are risks, but I want to see how it feels without the meds for a month or so.  I have an appointment to check my bloodwork during this break and if something is out of wack i plan on jumping back on, however I need to know if others have considered doing the same thing.

[leatherman]

so there were no problems with your kidneys and liver and you just decided they needed a break with no legitimate reason or proof??   Sounds like you didn't consult with your doctor about this. It also sounds like a foolish decision to me.

oh I stopped taking meds a few times before, in the past when there were no more alternatives and I was suffering from side effects. Both times, and almost a third time, I ended up in a hospital nearly dying from AIDS within 6-9 months. I learned the hard way that ARVs are the only thing holding off death from a terminal illness.I haven't even fooled around with my Reyataz/norvir/truvada since I started on it.

[OneTampa]

I recently made a decision to take a break from my meds.  My viral load is undectable, tcell above 600.  My liver and kidney are in good shape but I feel they need a break.  I tested pos in july of 1991 and on my 21st diagnosis anniversary I made the decision it was time for a break.  I'm wondering if anyone has done this in the past and how it worked out.  I understand there are risks, but I want to see how it feels without the meds for a month or so.  I have an appointment to check my bloodwork during this break and if something is out of wack i plan on jumping back on, however I need to know if others have considered doing the same thing.

PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR DECISION.

[harleymc]

Del,
I've only had 'a break' once. Seemed like a great idea at the time.
It didn't go well for me. On the plus side I know not to do it again.

If you feel that this is absolutely the right idea for you, then keep up frequent doctor's check-ups and monitoring. Keep the option to treat again open.

Hugs

[delspann]

Thanks for your responses.  I haven't been on in a while. There was a slight increase in my viral load and I lost a few T-Cells.  I immediately went back on my meds following the first response I received from the post!

[red_Dragon888]

Thanks for your responses.  I haven't been on in a while. There was a slight increase in my viral load and I lost a few T-Cells.  I immediately went back on my meds following the first response I received from the post!

I think the body has no defenses once you are off the meds which means HIV will increase in number within a few days and you run the risk of complications.  Our only defense to HIV is the meds. 

[leatherman]

Thanks for your responses.  I haven't been on in a while. There was a slight increase in my viral load and I lost a few T-Cells.  I immediately went back on my meds following the first response I received from the post!

that's good to hear.

but I must ask what you mean by "immediately went back onto my meds", especially when it seems like you received test results that worried you. Here's why I'm confused. It usually takes a while for there to be a noticeable change in your numbers after stopping medications - several wks, a month, hard to say. It's not something that should happen in say less than 2 wks. So how long were you actually off meds?

The follow-up to all this is that IF there really was a change in your numbers from stopping meds and then you simply went back on them, your HIV might have mutated and developed resistance.

Did you talk to your doctor about all this? I hope you did (or will). If your viral load has gone back up enough a genotype or phenotype test can be done to determine if your meds are still working or not.

I've got my fingers crossed for the best outcome for you and I'm glad you chose to take meds again

the body has no defenses once you are off the meds which means HIV will increase in number within a few days

since only 95% (or even a little less) adherence is needed for controlling the viral load, it's possible to miss several days before your med level drops too low. Then mutation (which results in resistance) doesn't necessarily happen immediately, nor necessarily even happen at all.

of course, even though there's no 100% guarantee or not of HIV immediately increasing or mutating to form resistance, stopping meds for any amount of time is still playing with fire.

[harleymc]

Hugs Delspan,
I was more worried than my first response indicated, but tried send a positive message for you to act on. I'm glad you kept in touch with your doctor and have revised your decision.

It's a pleasure having you here and healthy.

Big Hugs from downunder.