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
Good evening Asanele, This sounds a bit complicated. But you can contact Treatment Action Campaign. TAC have been working for quality access to healthcare in SA since 1998. You can ask if they can give you support to access treatment while you’re moving home.
Good evening I need help I started my treatment in 2016 in Gauteng I asked for a transfer letter last year I went to Limpopo province for holiday ,then after holiday I went to a new place where I thought I will stay long time continue with my health Mpumalanga province where iam right now I want to move back to Gauteng province and I need to take a transfer letter for going back to Gauteng .
my question is that they will give me a transfer letter while I have only one week in a clinic that am currently taking my ARVs?
Hi Zodwa,
If you want to control your HIV, you’ll need to be on meds. If however you do deiced that you no longer want to take meds, then yes you’ll need to stop breastfeeding. This is because you risk transmitting HIV to your baby.
I’m thinking of quitting my meds but my baby is still 1 week n am breastfeeding..Should I quit breastfeeding too?
Hi Lihkle,
Which country are you in? Are you currently taking meds?
i cant get to a clinic that i was taking my meds on…and nw i want to continue but they want transfere letter…can i get someone to fetch it for me
Hi Nandi,
Its great to hear that your baby is doing so well and that you’re now ready to restart meds. This is important as it will allow you to control your HIV.
Even if someone stops meds its doesn’t always mean that they will have developed resistance to their meds that you’ve been on. Tests will show you this. If for some reason you’re no longer able to take Tribuss, there will be other options available.
For more about ART, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
I have been taking ARVs since I found out I was pregnant in August 2016, I was shocked but kept calm during my pregnancy. My gynae was supportive but I still could not tell anyone in my family. In May 2017 I stopped taking ARVs was confused and afraid, partly in denial. I have been going to counselling since to get guidance and assistance. I am afraid of resuming treatment and I am hoping I will not have been resistant to treatment. I was on tribuss. My baby has a recent PCR test at 6months and he was negative. I have booked an appointment with a specialist for blood tests but I am still afraid that my stopping ARVs may cause me harm. My immune system is quite strong but I still feel that I should not have made a reckless decision to stop treatment to begin with and would like to resume immediately.
Hi Pali,
Yes they will be able to know that you’re already on meds. This will show up when they do blood tests.
Is there any reason why you don’t want a transfer letter?
Am taking my arv’s but i want to move to new clinic without transfer letter at the new clinic can they see through my blood that am already taking arv’s?