3 year ago I took crixivan for six months- after 3 months I was undetectable (only time in my life), but after six months viral load went to 2500 and I switched. I experienced belly but not a great deal more. I have been on treatment since 87 and have gone through all transcriptase inhibitors except viread, with failures every 6 months. I decide then to try viracept, which brought my viral load down to 50 in 8 weeks, but did not continue for I experienced certain changes (veins and thinner legs) which I have been able to overcome in the past year and half with treatment interruptions, videx and hydrea, and last treatment: 3tc, videx and AGAIN sustiva. I look quite ok now, but my cd4 are dropping (400) and viral load growing (23.000). I have refused and refused to take protease inhibitors up till now, but I dont see any options and right now I have the feeling that the best thing I can do is to hit it hard, as hard as I can (when I started with all these treatment issues I had 900 cd4). My doctor suggests Kaletra, viread and two other transcriptase inhibitors (depending on resistance test which results I am now waiting), but I am not sure it will work .... Considering my favorable physical state at the moment, what would you think if I took double protease inhibitor for 10 months and then re-think situation? Over that period of time could I experience a lot of changes? Which option do you think is best? Has Kaletra proven to be any better?. If is just belly I could take it, but my legs ... I find that a lot harder. Do you think a double protease inhibitor is really going to destroy me, or maybe I could not end all that bad? Thank you.

Kaletra is a good choice for the virus. It does have protease effects on the belly. However if that is due to insulin resistance, and you can ask your MD to check for that easily, then you can take insulin-sensitizing agents like metformin, rosiglitazone or pioglitazone which can reduce those protease side effects. Good Luck! DTD