POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Eldon on August 10, 2006, 05:32:04 pm
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Hello Everyone, it is Eldon. I recently moved from Miami to Lake Placid, Florida and it has been about (1) one month now. While I was in Miami, I did not have an issue with getting my medication. I do now.
Well, the prescription ran out. The good news is that I went to see my new doctor Marylin today. She is very knowledgeable and dedicated to the cause, and we clicked immediately when we met each other today. She did however write me a (15) fifteen day prescription. The bad news is that my ADAP wasn’t transferred from Miami as of yet to pay for my medication.
I have a (1) one day dose left and I am extremely concerned as to when I might get this new prescription filled. As it is for all, it is advised to take your medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Well in this case, I seem to have no choice in the matter. I have to wait for a clearance from a different county which will hopefully approve my prescription and they will send it in the mail by Saturday of this week.
My question is this. If the prescription doesn’t get approved, then I have to wait about (1) one week before I can get my prescription refilled through ADAP. This means that I will be without medication as prescribed and I am concerned about resistance. Will resistance come into play immediately? Will I be able to stay on the same regimen of Epzicom and Reyataz? Should I be overly concerned?
I may be rambling on here but, my numbers have improved and I don’t want to jeopardize the steady increase that is going on inside of my body.
Your comments, opinions, and suggestions are welcome.
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Eldon,
My understandngi of resistance is that it takes a little time and not something that would be immediate. Example would be taking meds and consistantly skipping doses. Can you check with you new Dr to see if there is anything she can do to help you out on the meds? You may also want to check any local HIV clinics and see if they can help till your ADAP gets transferred properly. I think you will be ok and I understand your not wanting to run out of meds.
Lets us know how it goes.
AppleBoy
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Hello Eldon, it's newt
Really it's best to keep taking the tabs without a break. But on your combo a short break probably won't cause resistance, as the drugs leave the body fairly quickly.
- matt
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Resistance is unlikely to happen overnight in this case. In my opinion it is more likely to occur, as has been stated, by constantly adding and taking away drugs due to poor adherence. Viral resistance is driven by replication and the more times you unblock and re-block HIV replication the more times you are likely to select resistance. In this case, it will be very unlikely to cause resistance, so don't expect any. However, future and more frequent cases of this will lead to an increased risk of resistance. I know that other people on this forum have said they plan to take medication with them in case they can't get any on vacation. It's a sad reality but a practical thing to do.
R
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You know if I was on the same meds as you, I would Fedex you priority overnight a few days worth Eldon... Please don't take to long of a break.....
Love
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Eldon,
I realize that meds are expensive and I do not know your financial situation, but isn't it possible that you can pay cash for your meds and/or talk to the pharmacy and see if they can "front you" a few days until the ADAP goes through? I know that A LOT of pharmacies will do that as long as it is a "life sustaining" medication. It's worth a shot.
Lisa
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Strange that ADAP is done county by county -- is this how it is elsewhere? I've been on ADAP in both NY and PA and it's all done statewide. Also here in Pennsylvania they have the ability to give you a month "emergency" supply through ADAP as that's what they did for me when I initially moved here until my paperwork was complete. Did you ask if they had anything like this? Seems rather absurd that you can't move around in the same state without a problem.
That said, I *always* get my refills for all my medications 5 days in advance (maximum allowed) each and every month so that I slowly build up a stockpile just in case something like this happens. I've always done this for the last 13 years... maybe I'm overly obsessive but it's worked well.
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Hi Appleboy, I never have skipped a dose since I have been on myt meds. I have taken them religiously on time every day that turns with the clock. Actually, I live in a small rural town that I had to drive (15) fifteen miles north to the nearest Health Department Clinic where all of this took place. My new Doctor Maryin was on point, she had no problem writing me a (15) fifteen day prescription and a (30) thirty day when the ADAP get's transferred.
Hi Newt, I do agree with you that it is BEST to take the tablets without a break. It is releiving to hear that the meds don't sty that long and it will not cuase resistance.
Hi HIVWorker, It is also good to hear that it is unlikely that resistance would occur overnight in this case. I totally agree with you that our meds should be taken with us wherever we decide to travel.
Hello Eric, It is good to hear from you and it is good to know that you would do that for me and it touches my heart. Thanks.
Hello Lisa, Since I am new to this town, I don't know how well it will go with the local CVS pharmacy. I will give it a shot tomorrow and see what they say. By the way Lisa, I like your way of thinking.
Hello Philly267, I do agree that it is strange that ADAP is for the entire state but they seperated it by counties. My case worker told me today that it had to be transferred to this current county that I am living in before he could do anything with ADAP. He did however contact the neighboring county to get permission to use their funds in order to pay for the medication. We will see how it goes.
Also, thanks for the pointer of refilling my meds (5) five days prior to running out so that I could build up an emergency supply. That i will do once I get all of this straightened out.
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Do what you can to get some meds. While it is unlikely, it isn't impossible.
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HIVWorker, I hear you loud and clear. I don't want to stop meds either.
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HI Eldon.
IT's me robert. SEe if our friend Lisa can help you. SHe is our depository for extra meds and she might have some on hand. And ask your new Dr if she has some free samples on hand.
Also, it is exactly for this reason that I fill my meds early too. My goal is a 3 month supply of emergency meds. Right now I'm on month 2.
robert
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Hi Robert, It is good to hear from a friend in the family. I'll ask Lisa and see if she can come up with anything and I will call my doctor tomorrow and see if she has any samples on hand. After this experience and unecessary stress , I will definitely work on getting a emergency supply. Thanks Robert.
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Hi Eldon, it's me, Ann. ;)
If you find you cannot fill those few days, make sure you talk to your doctor BEFORE you completely run out. When people take structured treatment interruptions, depending on what drugs they're on, one or more of the drugs has to be taken after the other one has stopped. I don't remember which are which, but your doctor should know. This is done to reduce the chance of resistance occurring.
Good luck getting your meds in time... hopefully you won't have to worry about stopping for a few days. Thinking of you in this stressful time...
Ann
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HI Eldon.
IT's me robert. SEe if our friend Lisa can help you. SHe is our depository for extra meds and she might have some on hand. And ask your new Dr if she has some free samples on hand.
Also, it is exactly for this reason that I fill my meds early too. My goal is a 3 month supply of emergency meds. Right now I'm on month 2.
robert
Ahhhhhhhhhh hope that you are not referring to me????? I'm not on any meds, maybe another Lisa????
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Lisa,
He means Lisa, formerly known as Sweetieweasle in the old forum.
Eldon, you can send her a PM by going to Lisa's profile (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?action=profile;u=39) and clicking on the PM link somewhere in the middle column.
Ann
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No, this lisa here can help with much stroking of the head and good vibes...
R
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Hello Ann, it is Eldon. It is good to hear from you. I read your suggestion and the Doctor is out of the clinic today and I just took my last dose of Epzicom this morning. I do have about (3) three days more of the Reyataz.
I send our other Lisa a PM to see if she could do anything. Our other Lisa (Sdgirl), I thank you from the bottom of my heart for responding. You do send the good vibes over that is needed.
The clinic did call this morning and said that they had a bottle of Reyataz however it isn't the correct dose. I got a PM from Christine and she does have an extra bottle of Epzicom and see said that she would gladly send it to me in the mail. Thanks Christine!!!
I will keep each one posted as to the development / outcome of this situation. Thanks Everyone for your concern, support and help.
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Hello Everyone, Just an update on what is going on. My new case manager called and said that the meds should be in the mail by Saturday at the latest Monday. Looking at (2) two or (3) three days without meds.
I'm hoping they do come tomorrow as said.
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Hello Everyone, just an update on what is going on. I did not get my meds in the mail on Saturday, however I did get them DHL express today! I send a special thanks to Christine and Lisa for your support.
AidsMeds.com is an awesome site and I am so thankful that it is here to give the support and answers to questions, where it is needed!