Hello, i am based in nigeria, i was put on combivir and viracept when i was pregnant and tried to stick to it through terrible reactions such as bloated and painful stomach, lack of apettite, neusea feeling, weakness very strong headaches, dizziness and blurred vision, i was then introduced to combivir and kaletra after the baby was born and i must comfess i have been going in and out because i couldnt stand the reactions, whenever i stop after 2 days i begin to feel very well and my counts get better, please help me i dont want to die, i have a beautiful son i have to look after he is just 2. Thank you

Hello,

Both of your regimens have contained Combivir (AZT plus 3TC) and both regimens were poorly tolerated. It's possible it's the Combivir component that is the problem. Talk to your HIV specialist about other options. Depending on what is available in your part of Nigeria and your resistance profile, you may do well on an efavirenz-containing regimen. Perhaps Atripla (efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir). It's a convenient three-in-one combination pill that you only need to take once per day. There are other options as well. The important thing is to find a regimen that is both potent and tolerable, so that you can adhere to the dosing instructions. Taking HIV meds only intermittently is dangerous, because it can lead to drug resistance.

Good luck.

Dr. Bob