I was wondering about a few things. I'm 43 and learned I had Aids in 1995.. I've always have been active, and seldom do I get sick, colds, flu, ect.. My Cd4 count has never exceeded 50. Generally it's about 20..My viral load aprox. 3000. My problem is the meds. They make me sick, everyday. The meds I take are ( Crixivan 1000 mg 3tx a day,) ( Sulfamethoxazole 800 / Trimeth 160mg 1 daily,) ( Fluconazole 200mg 2 tx daily, ) ( Combivir Tablets / 150mg lamivudine / 300mg zidovudine / 1 tab 2tx daily,) ( Sustiva 200mg 3 caps, at bedtime,) ( Felodipine 10mg 2tx daily,) (Azithromycin 600 mg. 2 tabs once a week,) (Docusate Sodium 250mg. 1 tx daily,) ( Desipramine 25mg. 3 or 4 tabs at bedtime for Neuropathy) (Paroxetine 20mg 1 or 2 daily,) (Acyclovir 200mg 3tx daily) then I take vitamins A,B,C,D,E. after all this, I feel weak, my legs and arms are skinny with loose skin, my stomach bloated, my kidneys hurt, my testicals hurt, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and I'm getting a hunch back.. I try to ride my bike daily aprox. 10mi. If I'm out in the sun I get light headed, and get nausea..I've tried most cock-tails and I get the same result.. What would you do ? What can I do? I'm at the point where I want to stop. I feel so much better without the meds. Please any advice for me ? Thank You Tg

Unfortunately, the patients who need antiretrovirals the most often find them the most difficult to tolerate. Recent data indicate that patients with T cells below 50 can do almost as well as patients with much higher T cells, but only if they are adherent to their antiretroviral regimen. In my experience, stopping the medications is a bad idea. Your T cells place you at very high risk for opportunistic infections and death unless something is done. You should keep in mind that while some of your side effects may be caused by the medications, others may be due to AIDS and AIDS related problems. Many of my patients with low T cells have had problems taking their medications initially, but have no problem at all once there T cells rise and their overall health improves. There are things that can help with your side effects now, including eliminating any unnecessary medications, carefully adjusting doses, considering changing from Crixivan and AZT (they can cause GI upset like you are describing) to other medications if that is possible, using medications to control your symptoms, etc. You should call your doctor and discuss your side effects, your thoughts about stopping the medications, what additional workup should be done, and what steps can be taken to help.