What Would Jesus Do?

[alisenjafi]

Since starting down the road on meds, my t cell count has almost always been in the high 600-low 800 range for the last 5 years- never going lower than 327 before starting meds.  My vl has almost always been <50 and this last test <48 with one blip at <56.
Except for the seasonal cold I have been very healthy, and just landed a fulltime job.  Talking with my doc, she said I can change my regime from Sustiva and Truvada to another.
Do I stick with what works or move on?  Like a bad marriage I know what to expect with the S&T, but am I willing to trade in one set of side effects for another?
Anyone here changed their meds even though they were doing great on them?
Ali

[joemutt]

I have changed twice, first to kick the crixivan then to kick the azt. In my case my numbers were excellent but the side effects started to wear me down, and what I take now has less side effects (viramune, viread, epivir)

[Dachshund]

Since starting down the road on meds, my t cell count has almost always been in the high 600-low 800 range for the last 5 years- never going lower than 327 before starting meds.  My vl has almost always been <50 and this last test <48 with one blip at <56.
Except for the seasonal cold I have been very healthy, and just landed a fulltime job.  Talking with my doc, she said I can change my regime from Sustiva and Truvada to another.
Do I stick with what works or move on?  Like a bad marriage I know what to expect with the S&T, but am I willing to trade in one set of side effects for another?
Anyone here changed their meds even though they were doing great on them?
Ali

Yep, twice and both times with great numbers but nagging side effects. Dropped Sustiva for Kaletra, and Kaletra for Prezista. Couldn't have been happier about both changes.

[MSPspud]

I've also done some changing when I've had great results.  I went from Truvada to Epzicom because of gas and from Kaletra/Invirase to Prezista to reduce the amount of medications.  There is nothing wrong with shopping around if you're undetectable and know your resistance profile.  You can always switch back if the new regimen doesn't pan out.

[minismom]

Mini changed meds a lot when she was down-trending.  She was u/d for over 6 1/2yrs when we changed her meds recently from Susteva to Viramune to get rid of some side-effects.  Then, we took her off Viramune due to a reaction.  We haven't "replaced" it with anything and her number are the best they've ever been.  After May, we'll look at changing her again to get rid of Zerit and the nasty side-effects.

Mum

[Queen Tokelove]

What does Jesus have to do with changing meds? That kind of lost me. I am at the same crossroads with my med, Atripla. It is working great for me, faster than my doc expected but the depression side effect reared it's ugly head. I am taking Celexa for that. I chose to stay on the Atripla because I don't want to go on something else whose side effects could be worse than what I am dealing with now.

[J.R.E.]

Hello Johnny,

Glad to hear about you getting that full time job, and that that everything is going well for you ! This is just my own opinion,...If something is working, why change it.  If I am able to stay compliant with the meds that I am on, and viral load remains undetectable, and things are going fairly well, I would most likely stay on the same regimen, instead of making a change, even if it was to a once a day med. That's just my thoughts.

I also got to tell you, that I have not been in that position, where the doctor has suggested a change of meds to me. Other than combining the Ziagen and Epivir into Epzicom ( which seems like an eternity ago, )this was about my only change.  I also tried both Viramunes, at the same time,..that didn't work well either, and went back to the twice a day dosing. Let us know what you decide...


Take care-----Ray

[alisenjafi]

Thanks all, anyone  I know that changed meds was because of side effects or the meds didn't work.  My intro with Sustiva was horrible.  I spent a week in a bath of Avena because of the rash and doped to the high heavens on anti histamines.  It wasn't"t pleasant. I will wait till I am well situated with my job if I jump from Sustiva. 

What does Jesus have to do with changing meds?

Back in the late 90's early 2000's there was this bizarre evangilist movement "WWJD" What Would Jesus Do.  There was bracelets and commercials , sort of ask yourself when in a difficult situation this question.  I guess someone pointed out that Jesus made some mistakes as you don't hear about this anymore- or Jesus' Army.

[AlanBama]

Hey Johnny,

I dropped Combivir, even though my numbers were fine....I felt that it was the primary cause of lipoatrophy, as well as the fact that I just plain old HATE AZT, and probably always will.

I would say it depends on whether or not you are satisfied with your quality of life with the current side effects.....if not, you may as well try a med change.

Best of luck !

hugs, Alan

[fearless]

I switched from Kaletra and Truvada to Prezista and Truvada about four to six weeks ago with great numbers (vl <50 and 1,000 cd4's).
The elimination of side effects, both known and unknown, was quick and nothing short of spectacular.
I feel like I have my life back.

[aztecan]

I have never switched because of resistance issues. I have changed meds four times, or at least one of my meds, always because of side effects.

Three of those changes were during 2007, after 11 years on the same regimen.

So, yep, changing for quality of life is definitely a good reason in my book.

HUGS,

Mark