I am HIV positive with a CD4 count of 364 and a VL of 68,500. My doctors wants me to start treatment over the next several months. My question is: What should I expect after I take medications for the first time? I have been told that there is a perios sometimes between 5 to 10 days where your body has to adjust to taking the meidcation. During this time I may experience side effects etc. In addition, I have been told that I should plan on not working during this time period due to the side effects. Can you help me understand what to expext. I am so appreciative of your web site!! Thank you!!

Thanks for your post.

Most current HIV therapies are very well tolerated, even from the first day. Sometimes there can be an adjustment phase, lasting a few days-- the details of the kind of side effects that can be seen range from headache, to nausea, to diarrhea.

I don't tell my patients to take time off from work to start treatments, though some elect to start medications on a weekend to avoid any unnecessary time off.

In any event, make sure that you talk to your doctors about the potential for side effects and things that you can do to mitigate the risk that you might develop them.

Good luck, thanks for reading. BY