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 Nandi,
This isn’t something that i-base are able to help with as we are based in the UK. Please contact the following organisation: https://tac.org.za/
Am taking Art treatment nd I want to start ma treatment in another clinic bt I don’t have transfer letter
Hi Ntombie,
If your sister is feeling like this she will need to see a doctor. It could be HIV related or it may be something very different.
My sister stopped taking arv pills in 2015 and started taking them again last July 2018,so she has been too sick and vomitting,feeling tired and having a runny stomach for 2 months now.am really worry about her
Hi Precious,
It’s great that you want to start again. It can be safe and never too late.
What were the side effects you had? Are you still going to the clinic? It’s important to keep going because even if you do stop treatment you’re still being monitored.
Hi i was on hiv treatment until i stopped in 2015 because of the side effects now i wanna start again is it safe or its too late
Hi Nonkululeko,
My advice would be to go to the clinic and tell them what’s happened. You have a right to be treated. When going its important to be honest and to tell them that you’ve missed 5 months. Ideally they should check your CD4 count as well as your viral load. They may also run some resistance tests.
If you have any problems then it may be worth contacting the following South African based organisation: https://tac.org.za/
I last tooke my meds in March this year.I move from where I was staying thought that I’ll be able to go back n ask for transfer letter bit couldn’t. Its been 5 months now not taking my eds n it stressing me coz if I go to a nearer clini they will ask for transfer. What can I do? Plz help
Hi Veronica.
Not having side effects is great. Ideally this is how it should be for everyone.
As you were off meds for a month, I’d suggest that you talk to your health care professional about this. They should check your CD4 count as well as your viral load. If possible they should also run dome resistance tests.
I have been taking arvs from 2015 bt I didn’t take them fr a month this year because of transfer issues I only took them 2days ago bt I dnt feel dizzy I feel normal after taking them is my system resisting the meds why don’t I feel anything?