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
Hello Ntombi and thanks for getting in touch.
I agree with you: you should go back to taking your medication.
ARVs is the only way we have to ensure you will continue living a full and active life.
I am sorry to hear you are having problems to access care and that your employer is not helping you.
Perhaps you could have a discussion with your doctor – your clinic might have some way of going about this
I am sure your clinic will be happy to welcome you back and help you with managing HIV.
Please speak to them.
Hi my name is Ntombi. I stopped taking my ARVs, my work place wouldn’t allow me to go to the clinic to fetch, especially when I met with the doctor, cause I had to spent the whole day at the clinic. Since 2018 I have been wanting to go back to taking meds. Pls advise