Question
I moved and lost my insurance, i can’t afford meds now.
18 December 2015. Related: Access to treatment, Adherence, All topics, CD4 and viral load, HIV transmission, Sero different couples, Stopping treatment, Support.
I am 31 years old. I was diagnosed HIV+ when I was 27. I have been taking Atripla since I was diagnosed in 2011. Recently I moved and my insurance got cancelled. I ran out of my medication. I can’t afford to get more. How long can i not take it before I can pass it on to my wife? I was undectable and my CD4 is 410, i’m writing from Florida.
Answer
Hi,
I’m sorry you are having such a challenging time. It is important that you get back on treatment if you can. Thousands of people with HIV access their meds using Medicaid in the US.
Unfortunately as soon as you stopped taking treatment your viral load will have started to go up. It will usually become detectable within the first 2-4 weeks. This means that unless you use condoms, your wife will be already be at risk . It is important that now you are not on meds that you should talk about this with your wife. If you have already been having sex without condoms she should get a test.
You should look for a public health clinic in your area. They may be able to provide monitoring and support. I only ask because the lower it was the greater your risks may be from stopping, this is particularly true if you started treatment with a CD4 under 200.
ADAP or the AIDS Drugs Assistance Programme . This an important programme for accessing HIV treatment in the US. You can find Florida specific ADAP information online.
GMHC is also an organisation that may be able to link you to some services. You can find GMHC’s contact details online.