Hi, I have been positive since 1992 and my t-cells have slowly fallen over the years. They are now 345, 25, 2550 vl. My doctor thinks I should start something like Trizivir. I hear about bad side effects from Ziagen and AZT. How long do they last? Do you get sick when you first start taking them? I keep thinking I should wait until something better comes out. I think my t-cells,vl, and percentage are ok for now? I know I have a lot of questions. :) Thanks

I wasn't sure what your viral load was from the message (? 252,550 or 25,000 or 2550?). A CD4 count of 345 is near the level where treatment is generally recommended. If the viral load is 252,000 then I would be uncomfortable with Trizivir and would recommend perhaps a Sustiva or PI based regimen for starting off (could switch to Trizivir later). If the viral load is 25,000 or 2500 then Trizivir would be a reasonable choice. Most people do fine with the components of Trizivir. Almost any regimen has some problems with it especially at first. For AZT the complaints are usually GI. For Ziagen the concern is a hypersensitivity reaction (after 6-8 weeks then risk is low). I often start patients in Combivir (AZT + 3TC) and Ziagen for the first 8 weeks and if that is going OK switch to Trizivir. If you haven't been on therapy ever then you have lots of choices. There may be a study available that you might be interested in as well. KH