Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
The participation of Dr. Joseph McGowan in this
Forum is made possible by Boehringer Ingelheim.
|
|
 |
|
Scared of resistance
Apr 12, 2007
Dear Doctor D,
Hello. I was exposed to HIV early last year and have been on sustiva/truvada (soon to be atripla) for about 10 months. I have achieved an undetectable vl and I don't know my CD4 b/c my doctor didn't tell me last time I went in. She just said everything was fine. Regardless, I am very worried about resistance. I haven't missed any doses to date, even when I went backpacking in Central America, but I am still very nervous about going to the doctor's office one day to discover that resistant virus is emerging despite my diligence in taking the medication every day. Is there anything you can say to allay these fears.
Thank you.
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. Daar
Thank you for your posting.
This is a great question because I know that many share your concerns. Like everything else in life we tend to focus on what might go wrong and it sometimes prevents us from enjoying all that is going right. First and foremost I would like to reassure you that in your situation most data suggests that taking your medications consistently should keep your virus suppressed and prevent the development of resistance. That said, there are no guarantees in life.
Everyone deals with this kind of anxiety and uncertainty differently. I personally think the best way to cope is defining in ones mind what the consequences would be if the worst case scenario occurred. The good, actually great news for people like you is that even if you did develop resistance there are still many options currently available that are likely to allow you to regain complete viral control. Even better, the number of options are only growing with time.
Keep up the good work. Enjoy your success!!
Best,
Eric
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
