Question
I stopped meds, can I begin taking them again?
14 December 2016. Related: Adherence, All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
I found out about my HIV status this year September I was then given arvs on the 18 of October I only used them for three weeks I then stop….. It has been a month not taking them, will I become resistance to the treatment if I start using them next month? my cd4count is 327. Im scared if I start using them again I will get sick so I wanna know if I can start using them again or I should take immune boosters
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Firstly, HIV meds are very good and very safe. They work really well. Even if you have trouble with side effects with one combination, it should be easy to use a different one.
“Immune boosters” are just an advertising scan. Although companies might claim this, there is no evidence that any of them work for HIV – or anything else.
These products will not help your CD4 count, nor your HIV. The only thing that will is ARVs.
Having a month of meds isn’t ideal, but please talk to your doctor about this if you are worried.
It is great that you are thinking about restarting as the combination is likely to still work very well. For more info on restarting, please see this earlier answer:
https://i-base.info/qa/12271
Hi Pali,
I’m sorry to hear that you had bad side effects. What where they?
If the nurses at the clinic where you go are rude, is there somewhere else you could go? If not, then maybe you could go with a friend. I say this as being on ARVs is the best thing for you HIV. It will help your CD4 and reduce your viral load. This is even if you have a high CD4 count.
If the odimune was really that bad, perhaps you could ask for something else?
Hi, I’m HIV+. I started taking odimune pills on 30 nov 2016 and stopped on 20 jan 201.7 My CD4 count was 789 when i started taking the pills..I stopped taking them because the side effects were so bad. I want to go back to clinic, but am scared, you know the nurses they are rude. Will this affect me?
Hi Tami,
Though not ideal, you should be fine. What meds are you taking? And is there any specific reason why you missed 4 days?
I haven’t been taking my ARVs for 4 days now, but am starting again today. I’ve been on treatment for 2 years now. Have I defaulted, will I experience side effects again just like when I started?
Hi Hlengiwe.
Though no one can tell you not to take ARVs, if you stop ARVs your CD4 will drop and your viral load will increase. Please see question 7 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Boosters will do nothing for your HIV,and neither will other supplements.
If you’re having problems with your meds, it may help to talk to someone. Also, if you’re having any side effects, these usually get better within a few weeks.
I took ARVs for 5 days now, I want to stop and use boost. I’m not ready to take ARVs.
Hi Tebogo,
Please see Q1 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Can less blood on home HIV test still work? I think I put less of a drop in the test an more of the liquid.
Hi Shubhi. this website is only for people who are HIV positive. Chemotherapy can sometimes reduce your CD4 count but this doesn’t mean you are HIV positive.
Sir
I was having NHL B Cell Lymphoma. Get treated Chemo and Radiation. Beginning HIV was negative. Now CD4 Count is just 58 ie 11%.