Question
I just started my treatment – what are the side effects of the drugs?
5 December 2011. Related: Life expectancy, Living with HIV long-term, Newly diagnosed, Starting treatment.
The medication that was prescibed to me are Aspen Lamzid, Aspen Efavirenz and betavit. The previous test were prick test.
I did not have any suport group and i didnt tell anyone yet, becauses it was just last month when I started the treatment. My last CD4 count was 323 but I’m waiting for another test to be done.
But to be honest with you, this medicine are breaking me into pieces, I cannot sleep not becauses of stress or anything, but the medication kept me awake and even if i try to sleep, i just can’t. Am I having side effect? Sometimes I have breathing difficulties, and my stomach feels hard whenever I touch it. I am in a very difficult situation and what keeping me going is the fact that I know that I was not at risk.
I took another elisa test and the doctor told me that am positive. He told me to start treatment immediately. He says that the drugs will keep me alive for 15 years. I ask him about counselling but he didnt sent me to one. I am currently waiting for the ELISA result, but since I started my treatment, my life has change completely with terrible side effect, weird dreams. I am strong and hopefuly i will get a right answer from the test.
Answer
I can understand that you are feeling unwell due to the side effects of the drugs that you are taking. When someone just started their treatment, they will notice the side effects. It can take a while to settle down and it will become easier over the next few weeks and months.
If your side effects are bad and you cannot tolerate it, you can always change your medication. Do inform your doctor regarding your bad side effects.
Lamzid is also known are Combivir, here in the UK. It contains both AZT and 3TC in one pill.
Please take a look on side effects web page also Efavirenz and Combivir (Lamzid) :-
Your doctor told you to take the medication because your CD4 is below 350. His advise is very good. Here in the UK, if someone CD4 drops below 350, then the UK Guidelines recommends starting treatment.
Please also take a look at this web page for more information on combination therapy, please take your time to read them and if you don’t understand, please do write back :-
I cannot make any further comments regarding your health until you receive your test results alongside with your CD4 count and viral load. Please do let me know when you receive them.
Having HIV is never easy but it is important for you to know that with today’s drugs, HIV is a treatable and manageable infection. HIV treatment can give you a near normal life expectancy and a good quality of life. If you take your medication correctly and consistently you should not experience HIV-related illnesses in the future. There are many people who have HIV and live for more than 15 years. A study in Denmark (2005) has estimated that the survival is more than 35 years for a young person diagnosed with HIV infection and another study in Canada (2003) has shown that in the US, life expectancy at age 20 years was 58.3 years.
Do try and find a local support group in your area, because they can help you to come to terms with your new status and also give you extra support which you need.
Hi Yvonne,
Have you talked to your doctor about lipodystrophy? If you are taking a combination of old pills you can ask to switch to modern meds.
Please let us know what HIV meds you are taking. And if you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results, please tell us what they are.
Please see more information about lipodystrophy from this page in the guide to HIV and quality of life.
Hi I’m yvonne I need to know why is the clinic and hospital giving HIV patients medicine that they know very well it’s causing lipodystrophy, second line HIV it’s stil has a combination of old pills that wher making body shape changes why are dey using it as second line
Hello
I’m starting to take aluvia pills with other one that comes with aluvia, I’m taking it two times a day, at night and morning. But I just want to know that Can it happen for someone taking aluvia to go back to a one time a day medication like once at night only as I was taking that kind before? I’m asking because it seem like it won’t be easy for me to take this one morning and night daily but I’m trying my best and I’ll do it. So it possible to be take back to 1-tym a day treatment when I’m back to my nomal health situation or when my cd4 is in a good condition.
Hi Bruce,
For me to be able to help, I’m going to need some more info. What is your treatment history? Why are you on Aluvia?
Hi,
As long as your body accepts the medication, then yes your viral load will decrease. You’ll need to have your viral load tested if possible within a month.
Hi, previously I was using Odimune pills they said that it’s not working for me coz VL was increasing 5740copies and Cd4 211. So Yesterday my doctor gave me a new medication which is second regimen (aluvia and zovilam ) and I’m taking 2aluvia +1 zovilam in the morning and same at the night. Will my viral load decreases
Hi Zuki,
If you only take the Aluvia you’ll only be getting part of your treatment combination. You need to take your full treatment regime. If you don’t your HIV will no longer be under control. As it sounds like you weren’t given enough meds you’re going to need to go back to your clinic and ask for a new supply.
hi I m taking aluvia nd tenemine but now I left with aluvia the bottle of tenemine s finish can I take alluvia only cause my date will be @ april
Hi Zinhle,
Do you mean Lamzid? Lamzid and Zovilam contain the same active meds. They are AZT and 3TC. Can you talk to the clinic about this? What country do you live in Zinhle? If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). There might be other more modern meds that would suit you better. TAC might be able to help,.
I am zinhle and I am using alluvia and zovilam prescribed by the doctor….the problem is the Clinic where I get my medication.They give me alluvia but not with zovilam,I think the pill is lamuzid (they give me alluvia with zovilam or lamuzid and I feel ill when i take alluvia &lamuzid….and feel fine and energetic when I take alluvia and zovilam)