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 Ndleleni, yes you can restart your treatment. Do you want to restart the same treatment you were on and will you be going back to your old clinic?
Have you kept up with viral load and CD4 count testing? After restarting it is advised to have a viral load test done to check that your medication is working again.
Was there a reason you stopped treatment initially? and is there anything to help maintain your adherence this time?
I miss to take mi treatment about a year ago.now I wanted to start again will be wise
Hi Ndluvo, yes this is safe. It is great to hear that you want to restart treatment again.
Were there any side effects/problems you had when taking them that made you want to stop? and do you want to restart the same medication or try a different combination? Which country are you based in (some countries will have different options available).
Have you kept up with your current CD4 count/viral load tests? After restarting it is advised to have a viral load test repeated a few weeks after. This is to check that your viral load is being suppressed and that you do not have any resistance to the treatment you have been started on.
Good Day
Is it safe to go back to drinking ARV after not drinking it since May/June 2022. The meds I was drinking was 3 in the morning and 3 in the evening. I juts got tired of drinking the ARV’s. I want to start again. The ARV’s that I was drinking was Norvir, Isentress, Prenista
Hi Jaun, do you know what your current CD4 count and viral load is? and have you been to see a doctor about any other possible causes of your symptoms e.g., Tb?
What was the treatment you were on before? and had you tried managing he side effects? Would you consider a different treatment if there were no side effects that impacting your mental health?
There is no definitive timeline of how long you will live after stopping treatment. Some people can deteriorate within 2 years while others will feel fine over 15 years. Each person responds differently to living with HIV.
hi I’m living with hiv for 10 years now i was diagnosed in 2014 i was on arv till 2021 i stop it because it was turning me into an monster mind wise.im with out it for about 3 years now I’m have a lost of appetite and i sweat like hell at night im 53 years old so how long am i still going to suffer before i die,just be very straight with this please
Hi Harold, what treatment were you on before TLD? and how long had you been taking TLD before you notice these symptoms? and what time of the day do you take your treatment?
It is a common switch from older regimens. This is because MOST (not all) tolerate TLD better and find that they have fewer side effects.
Have you mentioned these symptoms to your doctor? they might be able to suggest other treatments/ways of managing these symptoms as your body adjusts to TLD to help you in the meantime so you do not need to go without treatment.
Do you know what your current CD4 count and viral load is?
During lockdown they changed my meds to TLD,at first I was ok but side effects started to appear, dizziness,body, sleeping disorders, nervousness etc now I have stopped taking them after a month I went back to the clinic after telling them they defended the TLD heaping all the praise on them,I know this is how they get their bread and butter. Now they gave me the same TLD but in that one pill now it’s split bottles,am scared to drink them
Hi Oscar, I am sorry to hear this is how you are feeling.
What was the name of the ARVs you were taking before 2021 and what are the ARVs you are taking now?
How do you describe feeling sick e.g., nausea, fatigued, fever etc..? Have you mentioned to your doctor that you have been feeling sick? and what have you tried to help with these symptoms?
I’m from SA.. ThisArvs they are giving me are making me sick it been 12 yrs taking Arvs but from 2021they change me to the ones that are making me sick I be like lm weak and imbalance ND feel num but if I’m not taking it I don’t feel sick I’m tired of this pills. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.