Anyone taking Truvada, Norvir & Rayataz combination???

[mm]

I just started taking these meds. for the 1st time. newly diagnosed. My side effects have finally started to wear off. I'm currently trying to gain my weight back. Does anyone know if these meds affect from gaining weight or possibly losing more weight ?? My goal is to get back to my regular weight. Ive lost 8 to 9 pds. in 2 months due to vomitting/diarrehea (side effects)  .

Any suggestions / greatly appreciated.

[theblueangel]

I'm currently on the Truvada/Norvir/Reyataz, and it's been....let's see, just over 3 months now. I love the stuff, except for upset stomach/gas/diarrhea which is no thrill by any means and hasn't completely subsided, but I've managed to keep the weight on, in fact the "ritual" of taking the 3 meds together, in the evening, with a meal, has helped me to be sure to eat at least one "meal" per day.....which in the past has often been a problem.

In your case though, definitely tell (and tell again, and again and again if need be) your doctor that the gastrointestinal difficulties are causing you to lose weight and/or keeping you from gaining appropriate weight, b/c there are many options. Definitely keeping your weight up is important, so don't let it get too bad before making sure your doctor understands the significance.....on the other hand, if it has gotten better already as you've been taking the meds, there's a very good chance that the upset stomach/diarrhea stuff will continue to diminish until you're back to whatever's normal for you.

What side effects are you just getting over? Can you describe them?

I just started taking anti-virals this last July (7/06) and initially took 2 or more months of Sustiva/Truvada....which *for me personally* was rather horrifying (to put it very mildly) due to the various neurological and psychological side effects....so maybe I just love the Truvada/Norvir/Reyataz b/c there's no Sustiva in it, and therefore it doesn't make me more crazy than I already am.

[allopathicholistic]

Hi mm. That was my first regimen back in 2005. It kicked my butt for the first 11 days (with diarrea and breathing problems, I wanted to cry!) but then my body adjusted with almost no side effects. I would say fatigue was the biggie back then but fatigue issues were already present for me for all of 2004 and 2005 and even before that. But perhaps the Norvir added to the fatigue.  I really don't know but back in 2004 and before I had a work-hard-play-hard lifestyle, so that might have been a big factor too.

I started to lose weight in 2004 and then the weight loss became absurd, fast and terrifying in 2005.  Fortunately, after starting meds in late 2005 I was able to gain 16 pounds in a very short time.  My weight loss in early 2005 scared the crap out of me because it was so rapid and I was eating like a horse and still losing weight! That made me so scared. I knew something was terribly wrong. HIV is a nasty mo-fo and I really do think that first meds regimen lent a tremendous helping hand for me to gain back my lost weight. Today my regimen is different except for the Norvir, which I still take. I was taken off of Truvada & Reyataz for specific reasons, but not because of drug resistance click here. Hope this is helpful to you

[alberche]

Hiya all

I am on this combo since august 2006 and I feel fine. True gas and gastric ups and downs are a little problem, but I am already used to this.

I have gained 8 kilos (about 17 pounds) slowly but consistently, I also have recovered my appetite. I am going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week and resumed working life.

Some days I feel tired, fatigue, need to sleep, but this passes as fast as it comes.

In my labs, uric acid and lipids has gone up, but not too much, a bit over the upper range of normal values. No yellowing neither in skin or eyes.

So, in general, no complaints. I hope I could be on this combo for a lot of time on from now.

Best regards,

:-)

[Dennis]

Very happy with this combo.  Been on it I guess about 3 years.  Minimal side effects...occassional gas and yellowing of the eyes.  Gained around 30 pounds since.  Went from 145 to around 175 currently. 

[antibody]

i switched to Reyataz, Norvir, Truvada from Atripla last wednesday and have felt great since. i even dropped my sleeping pill Restoril and have slept through the night. it's the first time in 9 months i don't wake up feeling cracked out. no yellowing yet just a bit a gas on the first night. i am so glad i got rid of Sustiva.

[woodshere]

Been on this for a year now, my first meds.  The only side effect is gas and major amounts at times. But would rather have that than some of the real side effects.  Good Luck
Woods

[Ant]

I switched to this about a month ago from Combivir and Sustiva. Definitely feel much better on this combo, mentally the sustiva was def bad for me, finally realised about three years later.

The truvada, norvir, reyataz combo seems to be working well, sometimes I am a little yellow and people think I have been on the sunbed due to high levels of bilirubin also a bit of gas and occasional stomach upsets but otherwise fine.