Stribild for HIV Infection User Reviews (Page 3)

• Tac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2016

"Guys, Stribild is amazing! My CD4 was 350 and viral load 100k. I started it last week, and so far, I haven't had any side effects! I feel more energized and happier, if anything! It's amazing! Not even a headache or problem sleeping! I'm feeling so happy my body is taking it well! I got a blood test duo in a month, and I will let you guys know the results! Meanwhile, if you are reading this like me before starting the treatment, get on it, you will feel happier and less anxious about it!"

• Wil...
• November 25, 2015

"I was tested positive on Oct. 04, 2015. My CD4 was only 124, 12%, and viral load 161,000. I had shingles in my right ear, technically, I had AIDS. I started Stribild on Oct. 14th. Just after 4 weeks, on Nov. 12th, my CD4 increased to 171, 16%. The most amazing thing is my viral load became undetectable, OMG. This is such an effective medicine. Just 4 weeks, I am undetectable. The only side effect I have is nausea, but most in the first 2 weeks. Thank Gilead for this medication."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2014

"Taking Stribild as a post-exposure prophylactic. On day 3 of a 28-day clinical trial. At this time, the efficacy is unknown. Side effects are mild headache, bloating, and flatulence. Nothing that would cause me to discontinue treatment."

• KGP...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2013

"Began in April with viral over 1 million. CD4 was 109. As of May, viral load 606 and CD4 is 265. I've got ways to go. No side effects at first, but the only side effects to complain of now are slight nausea, headache, and slight diarrhea."

• PDX...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2016

"So far, so good. Took first dose 21 hours ago. Tad foggy this afternoon, but really nothing else! VL=56k and CD4=160 @ first blood work 3 weeks ago. Go back in a month and will report results. Glad to have finally crossed the start line! Don't fear treatment or Stribild anymore, but dang, the first 30 days knowing I have HIV were very tough."

• The...
• August 6, 2013

"I started Stribild on 06/26/13 with a viral load of 272,000 and my CD4 count at 252. Yesterday, I had my follow-up with my doctor and got the results from the blood test taken on 07/15/13. After just 20 days, my viral load went down to 550 and the CD4 went up to 394. The only side effect I experienced was a mild headache for the first couple of days. I am very happy with the results and feel very grateful to have this medicine available to me."

• Mus...
• March 24, 2016

"I was diagnosed in February 2001 with no symptoms at all. I went for a voluntary test and got the shock of my life. I was classified as a slow progressor for 15 years without treatment. My viral load was 900 in June 2015 and 425 CD4. In December 2015, the viral load went up to 2020, and that was the highest it’s ever been in 16 years, and CD4 was 400. My doctor suggested I start medication as it was never going to come down on its own but will continue going up. That got me scared, but I didn't want things to get worse, and I had to take control, so after nearly 16 years, I started taking Stribild on 12/22/15. After 6 weeks, I had an undetected viral load. I have had no side effects whatsoever, and I'm still undetected and feel happier that I'm in control."

• Anonymous
• May 18, 2013

"Started the medication a month ago. Was nervous in the beginning but appears not to be a big deal at all. Taking it first thing in the morning, no noticeable side effects. Overall, feeling great and able to enjoy my active sport life."

• Zoi...
• July 2, 2013

"I've taken Stribild for a month now. After 2 weeks, labs show that my viral load dropped from 100,000 to 860. Had diarrhea a few times, and still have sometimes, but it's okay. My blood pressure is raising, last time it was 157. My doctor gave me a prescription for Lisinopril. New labs are scheduled for 07/12/13. We'll see!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 13, 2017

"I have been on Kaletra and Truvada for over 10 years. My CD4 is 960 (took 10 years to get here) and my viral infection undetectable (undetectable since 3 months after I started meds 10 years ago). Many of you say you still feel somewhat bad, but that is because you're new to the infection and your CD4s are under 500. Once you get over 500, you will begin to start feeling normal, but it is when you get to 650+++ is when you become healthy. This is a fact."

• Ron...
• May 17, 2013

"Taking it since the last 3 days, no side effects so far. I am hoping that after a month my rest results come up better. I am already undetectable. I hated taking 4-5 combinations of drugs. Now I am happy with a pill."

• Myb...
• May 13, 2016

"I have been HIV positive for 10 years now. I only took meds while I was pregnant with both my kids. I just recently started taking Stribild going on 3 weeks ago. I haven't had my blood drawn yet, and I'm a little worried. I've been on point with taking meds now, but at first, I missed 2 days in a row and then another day a week later! I have a 15-month-old son and get so busy and distracted that I end up tired and forget to take it. I have been doing much better though and haven't missed another dose. My VL when I started was 350,000 and CD4 was <11 smh! Hopefully, when I go to the doctor, I can have just as good results as some of you! I can say I do feel much better than I was off meds, and I'm hoping that it is working."

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

"I can honestly say so far Stribild has saved me... On June 30th, 2016, my counts were CD4 - 73, viral load was 1.2 million, yes, 1.2 million... I started Stribild on July 1st because the pharmacy had to overnight it. On July 28, I had another round of blood work, CD4 - 300 and viral load 800... Yes, in 28 days.. He expects me to be undetectable in my second month if not already. He actually is going to let me come back in 2 months now instead of the usual every month because he said this was astonishing. Hopefully, Stribild continues to work for me!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2013

"So it's been about 2 months now. And through the entire experience, I haven't had any side effects. I just had blood work done about a week ago and am awaiting to see where my viral load is at. So I'll post again when I find out."

• Her...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2014

"My viral load at diagnosis (on 1-27-2014) was 15k. My CD4 were hovering at 560. I started Stribild a few days after diagnosis. I am not sure what my viral load or CD4 is at the moment. I will know when I go in for follow-up testing at the end of this month. My physician seems to think that Stribild will bring me to an undetectable stage and my T-cells will raise. As far as side effects, I have not experienced much of any. A slight, and I do mean slight, rash has appeared on my chest. It has not affected my day-to-day activities at all. I have not experienced the many side effects I've heard about. I will check in with you all and let you know what effect the medicine has on the virus when I get the results."

• Df0...
• January 24, 2016

"I got diagnosed in November of 2014 that I was HIV positive, and my viral load was over 500,000, and CD4 was 6. I was started on Stribild in March of 2015, and when I went back a month later, my blood work showed that my viral load was undetected, and CD4 was 72. I had only minimal side effects for the first couple of weeks (mild headaches and tingling in fingers/feet), which went away shortly thereafter. I just went in for my checkup, and my blood work showed my viral load is less than 20, and CD4 was 79. My doctor said this is normal, especially if you're under stress, but it will improve. I go back to see her in 3 months and will post the results later. I recommend Stribild to anyone that is apprehensive about taking drugs (as I was)."

• Gru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2015

"Started Stribild with CD4 less than 20 and VL about 50k. In the first two months on the medication, VL dropped below 200 and CD4 over 100. Now, at the 4-month mark, VL about 20 but CD4 dropped to 79. Dr. is running a resistance test to consider switching away from Stribild. Many thanks for the Gilead copay assistance."

• Mal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 13, 2021

"Stribild was it for me. I came from Atripla, which was good. It kept me undetectable. But it makes me dizzy and nauseated when I took it, plus weird dreams. I switched to Stribild, and I had zero effects from the start. It was a relief. But now I’m on Biktarvy because my insurance doesn’t want to cover Stribild anymore. And now I’m having rashes and itching all over, heart palpitations, weakness, brain fog, random moments of fatigue, and a lot of sleep. If you can take Stribild, I’d recommend that over the three I’ve tried. I took some three pills, one when I first started, which were good. I don’t remember the names, though. And three pills cost more."

• And...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 15, 2021

"On Stribild over 10 years, undetectable status, then had to switch to Biktarvy because of insurance no longer honoring Stribild. Had bad side effects, so in process trying to go back to Stribild with no side effects."

• 33s...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 11, 2020

"Part of the START trial in the UK to decide when is the best time to start meds. Was in the deferred group, so it means I started later with meds. They decided everyone should get meds from the trial. My partner was on a combination of two tablets, and I was lucky and got Stribild, which is one tablet to take daily. With Stribild, my last test was undetectable and 1050 CD4, so super happy. It makes me go for a poo more frequently, which is okay, but a bit annoying. Maybe I just eat too much anyway. Maybe it helps. I can easily take 6 tablets a week and it not be an issue. All I notice is that I can’t poo properly until I take a tablet. I have often forgotten and taken it when I remembered, and it was okay not having all 7, it seems."

• NYg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2016

"I was devastated to hear the news, but also relieved because I was having crazy eye issues and other weird things going on, like warts and such. My CD4 was 224, and my VL was 250k per mL. A bit high, but not 1 million per mL like that other poster! Anyway, 2 months with this RX, and my CD is 380 and VL 38 per mL. I'm almost there. Gilead copay (go to their site) made this RX free with my insurance."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2017

"I used this medication for 28 days for PEP. While I have tested negative at 6 weeks, I have had the side effects of neuropathy (felt like Raynaud's syndrome) and reversible kidney stress (decreased potassium and phosphate, elevated creatinine). I believe this may be due to mitochondrial dysfunction, with many references to support this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2017

"Been on Stribild for 30 days. Prior to treatment, my viral load was 37,100, T count 378. After 30 days, viral load is 45, T count is 578. I've had zero side effects. I know I don't even take it with food. Next DR visit is in 60 days. The DR and I expect to be at undetectable levels at the next visit. I highly recommend this treatment."

• PDX...
• August 10, 2016

"Just got results after 28 days of treatment. VL from 56k down to 85, CD4 from 160 to 207. No physical side effects at all. I take it at dinner time, no issues with sleeping after a week or so. Maybe some headaches early on, but really nothing now. Even with a beer or two in the evening, I don't even notice I take it! Hoping my T-cells continue to climb, and faster; should be below 50 copies and 'undetectable' by next labs. My second round of CBC seems troublesome, but I'm hoping that's my system getting back to normal. Only supplements I take are protein/vitamin mix in the morning and one serving of matcha green tea a day (you all should really read about matcha green tea!). I hope the DR says I'm doing well in 3 days!"

• Ste...
• November 12, 2014

"Well, I got my lab report today. My CD4 is 190 and viral load 90 now, but I'm considered to have full-blown AIDS. But I'm healthy and getting better with Stribild. Thanks to Stribild, my viral load is coming down!"