Thursday, February 21, 2013

Optimism Despite Rashes


Hi my name is Alex, a 30 year old male asian living in the Philippines. I was diagnosed with HIV in early 2009 and did nothing about it. I just lived a healthy life without alcohol and cigarettes  and lots of exercise. I continued with my life without any HIV medication. 


About a month ago January 2013 I finally accepted what I have and seek for treatment I am positive HIV-1 , negative in Hepatitis and Syphilis with CD4 of 97. My doctor decided I should be in cotrimoxazole 800mg/160mg and isoniazid for prophylaxis purporses. All test were negative. Finally after 3 weeks on prophylaxis with the said medications I was ready and given my ARV's. They gave me Efavirenz 600mg once a day every 8pm before bed time and Lamivudine 150mg & Zidovudine 300 mg (Avocomb Tablets) that I take 2x/day 8am & pm. 

So third week of my cotri,Isoniazid and prophylaxis, my ARVs were incorporated. It has been on my 9th day on ARV when suddenly mosquito like bites (rashes) appeared on my arm very few 5-10 scattered. On my upper chest, the next morning the rashes persisted even more covering my back and my chest down my stomach area. Leaving very minimal spaces and  a few in my palms and legs, doctor asked me to discontinue everything both ARV’s and Prophylaxis. 2nd day without medication just loratidine to control my suspected allergy (loratidine 10mg 3x/day ) still worsening this time the mosquito bites flattened and more like a map all over me. I was seen by my Doctor and said to just continue only my Cotrimoxazole. According to the doctor she was worried with my CD4 of 97 without any prophylaxis and together with the same anti allergy Loratidine 10mg but this time I will take it with citirizine 10mg. 

On my 4th day with my rashes, there was very minimal changes on my arms and rashes were still there but less reddish on my chest but still looked like a map like but less reddish. Down to the stomach was the same with all the parts of my body although I have very few on my neck and almost nothing on my face except my lips that became swollen on the second day onset allergy.

I still have to see my doctor again in  3 days and see what will happen. For now I'm on loratidine and cotrimoxazole. I am worried and I hope someone who had the same experience could share his or her story just for me to feel better. I am currently on my 5th day with my antihistamine. The red color of my rashes is more becoming less intense,  more like small patches on my skin, but the extent is too minimal or no change at all, I cannot still go out without wearing a jacket to cover them. I want to know if the patches will remain permanent. 

Honestly I am now more scared to start ARV again than ever. But if this is what will make me live longer. To hell with these ugly patches, I look great in sweaters anyway!





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