Email 336: More Questions from Rolled Over
Posted by Pozziepinoy on 3:53 PM
Hi Poz,
Meanwhile, I have already asked the doctor here is Cebu at Vicente Sotto about how to ensure proper dosage and considering the fact that my schedule is erratic that I need to switch shifts from night to day. Sort of crazy kind of schedule and they already told me about the possible side effect of Efavirenz of which it causes dizziness. For LamiZidu cocktail, I don't I will ever have a problem with that since it can be taken twice a day on a specific time frame. I want to follow your routine but the doctor said that there is a four hour window period from the exact time for me to take the medicine however on the Efavirenz part, let's say my shift is on 10pm to 7am, I planned to take it before I sleep at least I won't have a hard time dealing with the dizzy business then two weeks after my shift changes to 12am to 9am, can I just follow the four hours window period I mean as long as I don't skip a dose per day of my Efavirenz? OR does it really have to be that way of which the second dose has to be paired with Efavirenz? I am really confused because all that goes in my mind is that I SHOULD NOT SKIP A DOSE PER DAY but with my schedule, and the side effect I don't want to be a burden to my work, when I get dizzy I really get sick. I don't want to move and all but its a risk that I have to take on this because my CD4 has already dropped from 443 to 257 in less than two months but I am willing to get right through it next month.
Rolled Over
POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE
Hi Rolled Over
Once again, thank you for your email. I am so sorry that I answered your email late because I got tied up with work and family. Thank you also for thinking about Tag and the rest of the PLHIV's. Like you I do wish and pray that everybody's doing well.
With regards to taking ARV's, the rule of thumb is never be late and that you should have enough ARV's in your body for 24 hours. What your doctor is saying about the window period is true, however, doing it frequently MAY have a bad effect on the viral load in the long run. If you are confused about this, talk to your doctor again or call me at 0916-286-2066 so I can explain it further.
With regards to supplementation, initially, the doctor will ask you to refrain from using them as you will be monitoring the effects of the ARV's in your bodies. Your doctor is right in saying that may lower the efficacy of the medicines or may contribute to the side effects and may also harm your other body organs. If I were you, I would follow the advice of your doctor. Later on, after the 1st month of taking ARV's, you can discuss the supplements again to your doctor and if he agrees, then you can proceed in taking them. The rule there is always inform your doctor before taking anything. The ARV's are already heavy on our liver and other body organs and we don't want these supplements to add to the burden that our body organs are already carrying.
Waiting for next month is a choice you have to take. I can't force you to start now if you don't want to so it really is a decision you have to make.
I hope I was able to answer your concerns. Feel free to email me again if you have other questions.
Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy
"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"
-Pozziepinoy-
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