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After 4 plus years, time to quit.
May 21, 2005
Hi Don,
I've been on Fuzeon since March 2001. Now I'm at a point that I must stop using this life-saving drug. The injection site reactions have gotten worse, even using the Biojector 2000. I've tried all of the suggested ways to reduce or minimize IDS including ice packs, heat, massage, etc. The one thing that helped the most before I started using the Biojector 2000 was a hand held massager from Brookstone. It has a removable head that can be frozen for a cold massage, or a heated head for a warm massage. But with the Biojector 2000 use of a massager is not advised due to the massive bruising it could (and does) cause.
I would like your readers to know even if I have to stop taking this drug, it saved my life. It can be a bridge, buying some time until the next drug is here. If I was able to endure over 3000 injections over 4 years, others can. This drug is not a play toy and if someone isn't sure of their complance ability, I would advise against it. But remember, it can buy time and that is what we all want, right? There is hope.
Michael, Atlanta
P.S. When I started Fuzeon (then T-20) my CD4 was 2, now it is 214. My viral load was 505,027 and now it is 162.
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Response from Mr. Kurtyka
Michael,
Thanks for your email. I appreciate your feedback and I'm posting it for others so they can hear of your success but also of your difficulties with Fuzeon.
You are right ... there is hope! Have you looked into any of the other entry inhibitor clinical studies? Many of the protocols I have seen for CCR5 inhibitors are open to individuals who are currently receiving or have been on Fuzeon. There are also a number of other agents in clinical research for heavily experienced people.
Good luck!
-- dk
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