Abacavir / dolutegravir / lamivudine for HIV Infection User Reviews (Page 4)

• Sta...
• January 30, 2018

"I was diagnosed in December 2018. This is my first day taking the medication. I’m going to update my phone progress. A little scared as I'm 3 months pregnant and don’t want my unborn to contract the virus."

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2017

"I discovered my new status in July 2017: VL 94K and CD4 126. After 4 weeks, I had blood work again, and I got awesome results: VL 85 and CD4 360. Hopefully, I will be undetectable in my next check. I haven't gotten any symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, etc. This medicine has been working greatly in my body."

• Bil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2018

"I had postponed treatment for around 7 years but now have started. In my recent test, my numbers were low (290 CD4), and my VL was about 16k. This medication is amazing. So far, I had no side effect whatsoever, and I think a large part of the negative feedback people share could be shaped by their own apprehensions and worries. Best of all, it's easy to take. I am undetectable 4 weeks into treatment. I also feel that I have better energy, and my constant worry about what the virus is doing to my body seems to have subsided for now. Highly recommend."

• Abd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 23, 2016

"I was on Triumeq since Sept 2016. Everything was fine until I developed type two diabetes, and the doctor said one of the components of the medication can increase the blood glucose in your body. So now they have switched me to Genvoya."

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 11, 2018

"I was diagnosed in February of 2016. My viral load was 180,000, and my cell count was 157. I had not been sick, but I feel I was on the verge. I had experienced some trouble with thrush, but that was the worst at that point. My doctor started me on Triumeq within a week of my diagnosis. I had absolutely no side effect other than my face itching! It was strange. My doc seemed to think it might have been my immune system revving up and doing a number on my rosacea. It is better, by the way. Within four months, I was basically undetectable at 95, and my viral load down to 375. At last check in October of '17, I was completely undetectable and my cell count up to 567. I am so very pleased. Other than the face itching, which has long since stopped, I have had not a single side effect. I do wish my cell count would go up faster, but I am so thankful that I have no side effects that I can't bring myself to complain!"

• All...
• February 10, 2018

"I found out October 2nd that I was HIV positive. Felt so unhealthy and caught it so fast. Losing weight, loss of appetite, having a really hard time sleeping when you’d always get those heat flashes or waking up so hot. It was horrible in my experience. It took me a month to get this medication, which is Triumeq. The first medication my doctor had told me about and said it was the best one out there. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been on this medication going on 3 months now, and my counts went from 150/500 to over 240/500 within a month. I’m doing way better. I’m way healthier. Even though I don’t like the tiredness and a frequent headache. But I’m telling you this medication works really great. I’ve never felt so much better and felt so much change since I’ve been on Triumeq. I should be undetectable by my next appointment I go to in a month. I couldn’t be more grateful for this medication that could help us all through this situation."

• Use...
• January 28, 2018

"I was diagnosed in December 2016 with a high viral load (I don’t remember exact numbers anymore) and a CD4 count of 201. I went on Triumeq the day my diagnosis was confirmed. The first 4 weeks on this were absolutely terrible. I could not sleep, had crazy mood swings, and was overall not enjoying anything. (Perhaps it also had to do with the news of this life-changing diagnosis) but at my 1-month checkup, I was undetectable and my CD4 had doubled to 440, making all the sleepless nights completely worth it. A year later, I have continued to be undetectable and have little side effects. Sometimes my foot goes numb, and my arms and legs fall asleep easily. I do occasionally have night terrors and very vivid dreams, but as a horror movie buff, they don’t bother me. In my opinion, this medication is amazing and one of the best out there."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2019

"Triumeq is a good treatment, no side effects except for appendicitis, which was a few months after starting to take the tablet. I got appendicitis, and there have been a few similar cases. Apart from this, no other side effects from the first treatment, and a year next month, undetectable after 2 months of starting to take it."

• APJ...
• February 9, 2017

"My physician put me on Triumeq about 12 months ago. I had been on other antiviral medications that were not effective in controlling viral load and CD4 counts. I began taking Triumeq and had no side effects whatsoever, with the exception of mild fatigue. I also have type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. I am 65 years old and enjoy a healthy lifestyle, thanks to this medication. I strongly urge anyone to discuss this option with their health professional."

• Chi...
• January 12, 2016

"I have been taking Triumeq for about 9 years, after taking Complera for about 2 years. My doctor decided to switch me to Triumeq due to concerns that Complera was causing issues with my kidneys, though not serious. There has been no side effect concerning the Complera medication. I am monitoring my GFR (kidney) lab, and there are some improvements in numbers. Thus far, my viral load is <40, undetectable, and my CD4 count is 425, the highest I ever recall. Thus far, I can share that the drug is a success according to my treatment."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2017

"Was diagnosed in 2002, but started taking Truvada and Isentress in 2010 before being put on Triumeq. CD4 count was 700 and VL was undetectable. My doctor switched me over, and boy, the side effects are horrible. I had stomach aches every day, but as I take this medicine, they go away. I'm still undetectable, but I want my CD4 count to rise in the 1000s. I love that it is only one pill a day. I will get checked again in August to see the progress. My numbers have never dropped. Will post in August."

• NIC...
• November 25, 2016

"Wow, been on this drug over one week. Trust me, you do not sleep at night. Tired, very stressed and frightful thoughts, nervous, cannot focus. If you have any mild type of stress, do not take this drug. As I can say, it might be a 1-a-day drug, but you will end up taking more drugs like painkillers, more drugs for stress. And for me, never, ever again will I use this drug."

• Dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2017

"Newly diagnosed, and Triumeq is the only medication I've ever experienced. Just got results after taking it for 6 weeks. CD4 is just over 1,000. That's up from 764. My viral load is down from 33K to 26K. So far, so good. I'm hoping to be undetectable in 3-4 months like I've been reading in people's comments. I've had no apparent side effects until very recently, I seem to have some jaw tightening and stiffness. But no headaches, and I sleep well. I've also been really gassy, and I MUST EAT when I take it. But I'm a happy camper overall."

• Sco...
• February 11, 2017

"Diagnosed 5 years ago, been on Truvada and Isentress with no problems at all!! Doctor wanted to switch me to this because it's a lot easier (1 pill once a day). Been on this for the past week and have had horrible side effects. Dizzy, no sleep, nauseous, and body/joint pain. Switching back to my old medication tomorrow. Goodbye Triumeq!!!"

• Ser...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 17, 2023

"I have been on Triumeq now for 2-3 years and no side effects whatsoever. It has kept me undetectable and while I kept waiting for some side effect - the headache, sleep issues - I have had none of them. I would recommend Triumeq to any HIV person. I was on Atripla and was changed because of the potential kidney issues. I am also 73 and healthier than most of the 30-40 somethings I used to work with as an International Flight Attendant recently retired effective September 2nd."

• Zip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2017

"This medicine worked very well for me. Within a month of taking it, I became undetectable! I had no major side effects. I do, however, get headaches every once in a while, but nothing I can't deal with. I currently crush mine and put it in yogurt, so I'm still getting used to the taste...yuck...but it's not that bad."

• Jjs...
• October 28, 2017

"Had horrible sleep problems two weeks after, and then a few weeks later started getting a rash. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone, trust me, you do not sleep while on this drug. I switched to Epivir and Tivicay and have had NO issues at all."

• Muh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 11, 2023

"I’ve been on Triumeq since December 29, 2019, so almost 3 years and a half now. I was weighing 69 kilograms for many years, much before my HIV infection. My initial viral load was very low, my CD4 count was 521, so it was okay. I started gaining a lot of weight with Triumeq, I can’t blame it all on this ART, but of course, it has a big role since it causes lipodystrophy. I realized I accumulated more fat around my belly, and it was harder than usual. I’m also experiencing a lot of heartburn and gastritis, especially if I take it with food (but it is better taking it with food because it’s absorbed a little better, but there’s no problem to take it without food). So the weight gain and the hard belly are a big downside for me. I’ll discuss with my doctor other options and analyze the pros and cons."

• JZa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2021

"I took Triumeq for about a year, and I didn't have any side effects for the first six months. I started getting dizzy spells, felt super emotional for no reason, very sore around my eyes constantly, which felt like I had been punched, and the worst was extreme fatigue no matter how long I slept. I switched to Odefsey and feel much better, but I gained a little weight, and my hair is thinning and breaking now."

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2021

"I was diagnosed in October 2021. I’ve started taking it at the end of October. My VL was 152,000. After just 6 weeks of taking the medication, it went down to 28! I feel a bit of a lack of energy from time to time. But it is saving my life, so all’s good :)"

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2017

"I was diagnosed in Oct 16, didn't start treatment until Jan 17. Take it at nighttime, do have disturbed sleep, but nothing in an afternoon nap can catch you back up with. It says you can have it with or without food - I found having an empty stomach made me feel sick, but it was too late once you took it as I couldn't eat anything after from feeling ill. Not sure about how effective it is, and not had a check-up."

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2021

"Been positive 34 years, doing fine but decided to change to the 1 pill a day instead of 5. This drug may work for some but NOT FOR ME! I have issues with depression and anxiety and were amplified 100x on this drug. Blood pressure went sky-high, headaches, swollen eyes, couldn't eat or sleep. Couldn't function. Went back to original meds, Kaletra and Truvada. Feeling better. They can keep their 1 pill a day!!"

• Spi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2021

"I would like to know if anyone here has rheumatoid arthritis with HIV. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis but without any inflammatory markers. Have done the blood tests many times, but nothing too elevated shows in results. My muscles and tendons of the right hand and arm hurt, so do my feet, ankles, and knees. I am taking Triumeq and will be switching to Cabenuva soon."

• Anonymous
• August 14, 2021

"I'm not one of those people who read labels and automatically think that I'm going to have side effects. After feeling nauseated, skin itching, tiredness, and other side effects, I decided to check. I basically had every symptom listed. Once I stopped using Triumeq, I felt relief and was switched to Genvoya without incident."

• Lov...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 22, 2021

"I have been HIV positive since 1999. I am 45 years old now. I have been on many regimens over the years. In 2015, I switched to Triumeq. Six years maintaining an undetectable virus. CD4 counts have been between 600 and 900. Joint pain, dizzy spells, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, anxiety, shoulder achiness, recently. Not sure if it's because of the medicine or bad eating and lack of exercise."