Question
Can a person restart ARVs?
29 October 2018. Related: Adherence, All topics.
I’ve been off meds for 3 months, can I restart?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
The simply answer is yes. Yes, you can restart meds, and its great to hear that you want to.
If its possible you should book an appointment to see your doctor. Ideally they should check your viral load as well as your CD4 count. Depending on where you are your doctor may also run some resistance tests. These are used to make sure that you’re still ok to take the ARVs that you used to take.
Hi Linda, where are you? It is great to hear that you are looking to restart treatment. If you are in the UK you will not need a referral letter. Access to HIV medication can be obtained by attending an HIV registered HIV sexual health clinic in your area
I did stop 2019 i did relocate i want to take treatment again. Where can i go i dont have referal letter
Hi Pretty, congratulations on your pregnancy. What is important is you and your baby being healthy. Starting treatment again is excellent. If there are the same doctors at the clinic, they are much more likely to help you starting treatment and looking after your baby than not. Starting treatment again for your baby is brave and you shouldn’t feel shame about going back to your clinic.
I stopped taking my drugs 2years due to doctors disappointed am know 5mnths pregnant am afraid to start clinic in the same hospital what can I do I really wanna save my kid
Hi Delight, i-Base is an advocacy company based on HIV treatment. You can ask us. In addition to the comments we run an e-mail service for which you can send as many questions as you want. Or if you prefer we also have a phoneline open Monday – Wednesday 12:00-16:00 GMT. This link will take you to our contact page: https://i-base.info/about-us/contact/
Where can I go to get more information about HIV treatment, I have lots of questions and would love to be in contact with someone.
Hi Lisa, it is good that you are now taking HIV meds again. It doesn’t matter which clinic you go to. It is important that your current clinic know a little of this history though. For example that you were diagnosed before and that you used certain meds.
I stop taking my medication 2018 now just want to know is’t okay if i did not go to clinic that i used before (change the clinic)
Hi Miss P,
It’s great to hear that you want to restart taking meds.
As you’ve not taken any meds since last year, ideally you should have your viral load as well as CD4 count tested. It’s also important that you tell your health care professional that you’ve been off med for a while. You might be able to use the same meds as before, however you might be offered something else.
What’s important is that you’re ready to restart.
Once you’re back on meds your viral load should become undetectable within 1-3 months, your HIV will then be under control.
I stopped taking my Meds last year now I have symptoms I want to restart and take my ARV again will I be a ok?