POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: D_H on July 28, 2013, 12:19:38 pm
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Hi All,
I have been positive for around 5 years now and have got to the point of starting treatment. VL: 3000-4000 CD4: 350
I have never taken any treatment before, and am starting Eviplera with my evening meal, but forgot to ask my nurse a couple of questions so I hope some knowledgeable person on here can help!
I know the very basics; must be taken with a meal of 500kcal or more but that is about all.
Does my meal need to be at the exact same time everyday?
Or can I eat at say 6pm one day and 8:30 the next?
Or stick to exact same time for a couple of months, then can have a few hours leeway?
Is it just the meal I take with the pill that needs to be more than 500kcal? Because I don't often eat a breakfast, but will be taking the pill with my evening meal.
Do I take it just before eating? Just after? Halfway through? Or does that matter
(when I say just before or just after, I mean 'just' as in 5-10 mins)
Sorry for all the questions, I am sure they have probably been asked many times before but are hard to search for!
I have read many, many post's of people worrying about side effects so I am well clued up for them, just wondering/worrying about the time's of eating!
Thanks in advance, and hope to hear back from someone soon!
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Hi,
Does my meal need to be at the exact same time everyday?
Answer: No, you have leeway. I work between 30 mins leeway, but i've heard people say you have up to 2 hrs, just like Atripla.
Or can I eat at say 6pm one day and 8:30 the next?
Answer: Covered above.
With regards to number of calories. It doesn't need to be 500 calories. I am for about 350-390 calories. That's sufficient. What's most important is the fat content. Make sure you have at least 12g of fat. Can get this from Almonds, cashews, peanut butter etc.
I take my meds before, inbetween and after. It doesn't matter. It works all 3 ways. What ever you prefer.
Delby
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Thanks for the reply!
Well, I had 2 Bacon Cheeseburgers last night, so the calories and fat were well covered there! I was just told 533kcal on the leaflets that I have so was working to that but it is nice to know that it doesn't have to be so many if I don't feel like it (even though I very much doubt any of my evening meals will ever be less than that)
I took my first pill yesterday at 6:45 (UK time) as well as the anti-nausea medication I was given to take for the first couple of days and so far so good!
I didn't have any problems sleeping, no funny dreams
I do have a very slight headache and a tiny bit light headed here and there, but I could just have a headache as it is hot and I haven't drunk much today so far.
And I am feeling slightly bloated and gassy, but it isn't uncomfortable.
Roll on 6:45...
Thanks again for the reply.
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Hey DH
Glad to see you're doing well with it. It really is a fantastic ARV. I changed from Atripla to Complera and the difference in side effects is astronomical. I suffered every day for 5 yrs on Atripla and now i'm side free. Yes i get fatigued, but i think that has more to do with the disease and the fact I have terrible chronic insomnia, rather than the meds.
PS Just a word of advise and hope you don't think i'm being 'preachy', but I would seriously look to change your diet. Eating 2 cheeseburgers every night will kill you faster than HIV. You may want to think about changing your diet and eating healthy. Filling your body with that shit on a regular basis will do a lot of damage in the long run!
Delby
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Thanks again for the reply, I am glad that I am not experiencing side effects.
Don't worry, I don't eat like that everyday. Only having those as they weren't cooked on the Barbeque we had the day before!
I do need to make a few subtle changes to my diet as don't eat as well as I could do, but it is pretty balanced as it is now. Just need to include a few more fresh fruit and veg!