Stribild User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Ano...
• August 8, 2013

For HIV Infection "Was just diagnosed at the beginning of July 2013. Was hospitalized with PCP pneumonia. My initial counts were CD4 8 and viral load 600,000. After some antibiotics, my VL dropped to 350,000 before starting treatment. As of my last test, I had only been on treatment for about 10 days. CD4 up to 72 and VL down to 215. No side effects, and I'm grateful to have this medication available to me."

• Bkk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2013

For HIV Infection "Just finished my first bottle (30 days) of Stribild. It is my first HIV medicine. Before starting, my viral load was almost 500,000 and CD4 around 350. After 30 days (actually less because I had the blood draw a week ago), I just found out today that my viral load is already down to 101 and my CD4 is 450! I've also experienced no side effects, aside from a mild headache in the morning once or twice, which I've attributed to not drinking enough water. I couldn't be happier."

• Tre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 3, 2015

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed in 2005, went on a regime, was undetectable with a normal CD4 count. My insurance changed in 2009, my doctors had to change my regime to covered HIV medicines. This began a 4-year battle to get my virus under control. I went into full-blown AIDS, however, I never contracted an opportunistic infection. However, the virus attacked my brain. My ex-boyfriend/best friend, a nurse, came to see me (he lived 2 hours away). He talked to numerous physicians, Stribild had just come out. I started to see the doctor he arranged for me to see. My CD4 count was 4, viral load >1 million. I'm totally serious: only after one month of being on Stribild, I was undetectable with a CD4 count of 200. I deal with the nausea because of its miraculous effect on my virus."

• mal...
• July 29, 2013

For HIV Infection "Found out in April of 2013 I had AIDS, was hospitalized with PCP. Started out with a CD4 count of 42, viral load of 825,000, then dropped to 179,000 being on antibiotics. Then just before starting Stribild, my CD4 was 94 and a viral load of over 2.2 million. Was on the meds for just one month and my CD4 count is at 494 and a viral load of 1896. I'm so pleased with Stribild, no real bad side effects."

• Ita...
• September 28, 2015

For HIV Infection "I started my Stribild therapy in March when my CD4 was 270 and my VL was 80,000, and after 3 months I became undetectable! Just a few side effects like nausea, but not too much! I never used other therapy before Stribild, and I can't compare it with other meds, so I'm really happy that I'm undetectable and my life is really great! Important to continue to do fitness, help your body and your mind!"

• jon...
• February 16, 2014

For HIV Infection "This medicine is a gift from God. Not only am I undetectable and T-cells 1000, but my body fat has dropped 8%, my muscle mass has increased substantially, and I have grown 1 inch. I started at 400 T-cells and 100k viral load."

• Aar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2014

For HIV Infection "Tested positive via rapid blood test on Feb 1, 2014. Confirmatory results of positive (Western blot) on Feb 5, 2014. First visit with HIV management doctor on Feb 13, 2014, resulted in immediate prescription for Stribild; first dose the same day. Initial bloodwork (drawn on Feb 13, reported on Feb 17) showed a viral load of 53,000 and CD4 of 741. Follow-up bloodwork (drawn on Mar 31, 2014, reported on April 2) showed a viral load as *undetectable* and CD4 of 853. The only possible side effect is a slight variance in dream content/intensity but could be spurious. Gilead Co-Pay Assistance Program, in conjunction with my employer group health insurance, results in no out-of-pocket expense on my part. Extraordinarily happy with the efficacy of Stribild and grateful to Gilead for CAP."

• Vau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2014

For HIV Infection "I started on Stribild on 17th Jan 2014, my viral load was 150k. After 4 weeks, I'm undetectable. I've had little side effects at all. I take the pill at lunch, all seems to be working (really) well so far. I quit drinking to help the meds work best they can and to improve adherence, but by the looks of things, this regimen is doing well for lots of people, which is great to see. Kidney and liver all good too!"

• Ala...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2015

For HIV Infection "I was diagnosed with AIDS in August 2015. My CD4 count was 79, and my viral load was 148,000. I started taking Stribild, and after 3 weeks, my CD4 count went up to 294, and my viral load was 50. I have had very little side effects. Unbelievable that in just 3 weeks, I am pretty much undetectable! I kiss my bottle of Stribild every day! I appreciate that Gilead has a copay program!"

• Rec...
• September 13, 2014

For HIV Infection "Viral load 950,000 and T-Cell/CD-4 count less than 150. Doctor told me I have full-blown AIDS. I began taking Stribild two days ago (with a hearty dinner) along with Azithromycin and a multivitamin. I felt a tad bit nauseous the following day, but today I feel normal. No side effects. My insurance with Cigna saved me $2,840.09 for a 30-day supply. Doctor wants another blood test in four weeks. She said I should be undetectable in two months... crossing fingers!"

• Sco...
• May 26, 2013

For HIV Infection "Awesome! Been on for 6 months now. Currently, VL undetectable, CD4 in normal ranges. At diagnosis, VL 100,000, CD4 400, and 21%. First 2 weeks were tough for me: fatigue, nausea, out-of-body feelings, diarrhea. Slowly, all side effects resolved after about 8 weeks. Now, no side effects at all, all lab results normal: kidney, liver, blood. Life is truly back to normal except 1 extra pill with my vitamin each morning. Don't delay, start treatment as soon as you can!"

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2018

For HIV Infection "First, thanks goes out to all who post their experiences. I’m 67 years young and was devastated to receive a positive HIV. It really helped me reading positive reviews, especially the ones closest to my situation. Initial tests: Viral load 450,000 at 13% with CD4 count of 141. Boy, was I scared. Started Stribild on 2 Oct 2018, the day after results. Retested on 14 Nov 2018, about 6 weeks later. Viral load 177 and CD4 405. I got shingles and bronchitis shortly after starting Stribild and lost 25 LBs during the battle. I ate nothing but fruits and vegetables (lots and lots) and lean chicken. Still recovering from shingles and optimistic that I will start regaining weight as the CD4 count continues to rise. Had very little side effects from Stribild in the first 2-3 weeks, but now nothing. Great drug so far. I see the doctor in 3 months. Will post again. Harry."

• mar...
• September 26, 2013

For HIV Infection "Was diagnosed with pneumonia in March 2013 and HIV. Viral load was 16,000 and CD4 365. July viral load was 7,600 and CD4 735 without meds. Started Stribild in August 2013, after 3 weeks, I'm undetectable and CD4 765. Very pleased."

• Tha...
• September 27, 2015

For HIV Infection "I tested HIV on 8/11/15 and started taking Stribild on 8/25/15. On 8/25/15, my CD4 count was 576 and HIV viral load was 52,992. I took Stribild at night before bed with 16 oz of water. In the morning, I drank another 16 oz bottle of water along with (1) Selenium 200 mcg and (1) L-Glutathione 500 mg, which I took in the morning. I started working out at the gym 4 times a week faithfully, and on 9/25/15, I went to the doctor to get my new blood test results, and my CD4 count was 795 and HIV viral load was 28. I was told that I was 'UNDETECTABLE.' I thank God for the results. I am on the right track and had no side effects."

• Rob...
• May 27, 2016

For HIV Infection "An update from my post in April 2013. I have been on Stribild for over two years now. I have been undetectable since (two months after starting). I have had no side effects, and it's easy to take. I take it every morning with breakfast (that works for me). Stribild is great; I have no complaints. Gilead copay assistance makes my copay free, so that's fantastic as well. It's devastating to find out the news you're HIV positive, but it's great to know there are medicines like Stribild to make that situation manageable."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2012

For HIV Infection "So today is only day 2, but so far I haven't experienced any side effects at all, and that was the main concern for me. So far, so good. But I'll keep updating, maybe I could be of use to someone else."

• Ken...
• February 11, 2014

For HIV Infection "I've been taking Stribild since August of 2013 when I made the choice to start HIV treatment because I have a negative partner and my T-cells had fallen below 900. I've also wanted to remain proactive about my care and always want to remain well. Stribild was the best choice for me, it did not interfere in any way with my daily outreaches or HIV peer support that I do, nor did it slow me down from my passion for photography and art. There are no side effects that I can speak to, and right away my T-cells climbed back to well over 1100 and my viral load was undetectable in just three weeks."

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2015

For HIV Infection "Diagnosed with HIV in 1985 (30 years ago). Monitored CD4 levels decreased gradually until they reached 240 two months ago. Decided to start medications. Took Atripla for one month (December 2014) but had too many side effects. Started Stribild two months ago and have tingling and numbness in feet and lower legs. Breathing seems changed. Rapid heart rate a few hours after taking it. Worried about lactic acidosis and liver/kidney damage. Reading lots of internet articles about HIV medications doing more harm than good. Have to wonder if starting meds was a good decision."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2012

For HIV Infection "I've been taking Stribild for two months. My viral load is undetectable, but I have had two noticeable side effects. The first is severe diarrhea that lasts for several days, then clears up only to reappear several days to a week later. The second is very vivid and wild dreams."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2016

For HIV Infection "I tested positive on October 4th, 2015. My viral load was around 300,000, and my CD4 was 85. I was really sick, feeling like I had the flu and chronic diarrhea. I went from 125 pounds to 108 in a month. It was very scary. I started on Stribild and Bactrim on October 7th. I had side effects of nausea and headaches on and off for the first 3 weeks, but not horrible... No worse than I was already feeling from HIV. After 30 days, I retested, and my viral load was down to 800!... and was feeling much improved. I went back after another 60 days, I had gained back 12 pounds and retested both viral load and CD4. Should have the results back this week. So far, this medication has been a godsend, and with my insurance and Gilead copay card... free!"

• iam...
• May 13, 2015

For HIV Infection "Here's my 5 cents' worth. Healthy and fit male, 24, Australian. I was infected in late February 2015 and diagnosed on 11th March. CD4 count at 470 and viral load 410,000. Doctor recommended waiting for the DNA test to show if I had resistance before beginning ART. Almost 3 weeks later, tests came back and showed no major mutations, so I began Stribild that day. I've had absolutely no side effects since. I take the pill between 7-9 pm every night immediately after a good, wholesome meal with ~500 mL of water. At the end of the day, I commenced ART at week 6 of acute HIV infection. For many, most are not diagnosed this early. I happened to find out by fluke at week 2 of infection. After 1 month, my CD4 count was 570 and viral load 290. Cheers."

• Mku...
• April 17, 2013

For HIV Infection "Been on Stribild for 4 weeks when I had my blood tests done. Prior had a viral load of 360,000. Now I am undetectable! After just 4 weeks. My CD4 has gone from 350 to 450 in the same time. Very happy. Only side effect is I feel a little day sickness, but it seems to be more dehydration than anything. Drink a lot of water, you will be fine! Haven't really changed anything in my life, not that it was crazy before."

• han...
• June 26, 2014

For HIV Infection "I started Stribild one week ago. I take it at night before bed. On the fourth night, I woke up at 4 a.m. with a buzzing feeling in my chest as if something were eating me from the inside out. My mind was racing, and all I could do was lay there and hold myself until it went away. The next night, I woke up a bit later, around 7 a.m., with the same feeling, only it came in waves all throughout the day. I could barely hold conversations without feeling like I was going to pass out from the anxiety. I took it again on the fifth day (despite not wanting to), and I ended up spending the whole next day in bed as my dizzy spells/nauseous feeling were ridiculous and unbearable. I stopped taking it last night and have an appointment tomorrow."

• Guy...
• October 2, 2013

For HIV Infection "Tested in Dec 2012. Started with a 120,000 viral load, 187 CD4 count. Began meds in the beginning of March 2013. 30 days later, April 2013 = 190 viral load, 280 CD4. 60 days after that, June 2013 = 50 viral load, 230 CD4. What I notice: I was also diagnosed with a very active level of CMV, 5x above the range (CMV, also known as herpes 1). It gave me problems from blisters in the gums to acid reflux. I was put on Acyclovir 800 mg 3x a day and, after 2 weeks, only 400 mg 1x a day. Now I feel very healthy. The key is treating other infections and being careful with sick animals or other people (especially on a low CD4 count)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 3, 2013

For HIV Infection "I've been on 4 different HIV combos since I was diagnosed in 2009. When I started treatment, I had a viral load over 1M and a CD4 of 42. All of the other treatments did work, however, their side effects greatly impacted my quality of life. This is the first treatment that has had no apparent side effects."