My turn! Questions about Kivexa

[komnaes]

Here I am, with my 3 weeks of meds. Doctor has given me:

Efavirenz 600mg aka Sustiva
Kivexa aka Epzicom

Very standard first line meds. Other than all the usual warnings on side efforts, I notice that a listed side effect of Kivexa is lipodystrophy. I know it shouldn't be too bad and all NRTIs can cause body shape change - just want to ask everyone who's experienced with Kivexa for a longer period of time how much change they have noticed.

It's good that my doctor has done the lab test way back and I don't have the hypersensitivity gene that causes severe allergic, but I guess from now on goodbye to fatty foods.

So I will start meds tomorrow night, after taking one last blood draw for another baseline test. Genotype was done way back when I was diagnosed in 2007, no known resistance to any drugs.

Hugs, Shaun

[sharkdiver]

Yes I have experience with the drugs in Kivexa, but it seems a lifetime ago.

I just wanted to say that I will be thinking about you when you start, and don't be afraid to email or call me if you need to.

Hugs

[anniebc]

Hi Shaun

I can't help you with Kivexa, never been on the drug, but two of my meds both claim to have side effects of lypodystrophy, I have been on them for well over a year now and have seen no change..or very little.

Like Sharkie I will be thinking of you, I'm sure everything will be OK.

Hugs
Jan

[aztecan]

Hey Shaun,

I also have never taken Kivexa, but I can comment on lipo issues.

Mine didn't show up for years. The lipoatrophy showed up first, probably about eight years in on the treatment, then the lipohypertrophy showed up about 10 years or so after I started.

Mind you, these were the old drugs too. These new drugs may be easier on your body, and you may have the physical disposition that prevents lipo altogether.

HUGS,

Mark

[komnaes]

Thanks Eric/Jan/Daddy Mark

I am sure the concern with body shape change is rather irrational.. and it can't be helped anyway if it happens. It should be the last of my worries.

The first night was rather uneventful actually.. I took the pills an hour before bed time and just sort of lying around watching TV. The dizzying set in an hour later and I almost immediately fell asleep. I did have some weird dreams but nothing special really and I forgot most of them before breakfast. Woke up middle of the night with rather heavy sweating but it was all dry and gone when I woke up.

Feeling kind of tired all morning, though I was able still able to have enough concentration for a long conference call at 9.30am. Ready to take my second dose in about 1/2 hour.

Sometimes all it takes to make one feel everything's OK is just a few kind and caring words. I can't thank you enough.

Hugs, Shaun

[Assurbanipal]

Hi

No Kivexa experience here but just wanted to wish you well as you start.  Here's to many more uneventful nights!  (Well at least as far as side effects go    )

[komnaes]

Just an update.. 3 months after starting meds (Sustiva and Epzicom), almost no side effects now (well, except feeling in times very irritable, but then I was like that before) and CD4 has jumped back to 333 at 24%. VL is pending.

No idea as to what's next - my doc he would give it 6-9 months to get to undetectable, and they would not call me back for another blood test before the scheduled one in 2 months in late July unless VL is still very high (it was 13,000 in Feb; I should get the mid-May result in a few days). Overall feeling somewhat "normal" I guess - noticeably better than before starting meds when my CD4 was dropping fast.

Hugs, Shaun

[aztecan]

Hey Shaun,
That is great to hear. I am sure your viral load will come back low if not undetectable.

I just realized something. Why did you say you were giving up fatty foods in an early post in this thread? I just realized it and it raised a question for me.

Are you fearful of the hyperlipidemia so many of us are experiencing?

Just curious.

HUGS,

Mark

[komnaes]

Thanks Daddy Mark,

Did I say something about avoiding fatty foods? I usually eat rather healthy anything.. I am not so worry about hyperlipidemia, at least not now.

Actually just got a call from the clinic about my VL. Still at 650... not so happy about it but the nurse said it wasn't a big deal. So they would set up me for an earlier test.

So VL from 13,000 to 650 3 months after meds... should I be worried?

Hugs, Shaun