Connect with others who understand.

  • Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  • Real advice from people who’ve been there
  • People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
Powered By
Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Geneva, IL

I recently changed my ART regiment due to resistance
I was given two options
The first option included two medications that can suppress the virus at non-detectable rates.
The only setback, is that in one of the medications, one of the ingredients, I have a resistance at 40%.
Making the probability of total suppression at 90%. But it is enough to suppress the virus at less than 200 copies and possibly less than 20.
The other option is to take an injectable along with the two ART pills ,… read more

April 17, 2025 (edited)
 · 
Reactions

Answer Summary

Members discussed choosing between two HIV treatment options after developing resistance, with most emphasizing the importance of weighing... Read more

Members discussed choosing between two HIV treatment options after developing resistance, with most emphasizing the importance of weighing personal circumstances like side effects, bone health concerns, insurance coverage, and tolerance for injections over pursuing 100% suppression at all costs. Several members shared that viral loads under 200 are considered medically optimal and that adding more medications brings cumulative toxicity, with one member noting decades of ARV use can cause devastating long-term effects, while others encouraged trying the simpler two-pill regimen first and adding injectables only if needed. A recurring theme was that there is no one-size-fits-all answer in HIV care, and individuals must balance medical efficacy with quality of life, future treatment options, and what feels sustainable for their own bodies.

A myHIVteam Member

Thank you for your answers. The end decision for me is the following regiment:
Biktarvy 1 tab PO daily
Doravirine 100 mg PO daily
Once it's approved by the pharmacy as they need to check it against all my other medications it will be released and dispersed to my local pharmacy for pickup. I anticipate it will be by the end of this week and I shall start it as soon as possible. We will keep an eye on my bloods for at least a month and then retake the exam to see where the numbers are. I hope that within a couple of months the virus will be suppressed and undetectable. If not , we will wait a 3 month period before starting the injectable, along with the two pills.
Thank you all for your input and I hope this helps some of you, in your decision making as well 👍🤗🤗

April 17, 2025 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

I'm glad the AI answered this first. Being that it's a computer-generated answer it is good to know what the standard is throughout the world for our situation. What it tells me is what I thought,..
is that through medical jurisdiction throughout the world, HIV is only manageable if suppressed at 100%. It does not account for the many side effects that come from these antivirals throughout the years of taking them. Some of us have been taking them from anywhere from 30 to 60 years. So even though having non-detectable status less than 200 copies is standard for nonifection..It is manageable to live on a little bit more. I've decided to take the two pills ,
since it will take me to the non-detectable less than 200 copies status. I have learned that the side effects are devastating and long-term and can be fatal and or permanent. Given this, there will be more drugs in the future and these two pills should get me by for the next 10 years.
Should the numbers not change or continue to fluctuate, the injectable is necessary and I will add it to the regiment.

April 17, 2025 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

I have complete resistance to all historical hiv drugs, however Biktarvy does still work with this scenario, even though it contains 2 supposedly useless drugs. My Brighton Physician said the medics dont know the exact reason why Biktarvy works in multi drug resistant cases. Unfortunately in my particular case, I cant tolorate Biktarvy, so I have to remain on my 4 x daily HIV medication for life. Of course I would prefer a once daily pill, but thats not going to happen in my case.

April 20, 2025 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

If it were me, I would probably want to ask if I could try the two pills first for a couple of weeks and assess their impact on VL, adding the injectable drug later, if needed.

Sounds like from what you said, 9 out of 10 people would be expected to achieve full suppression via the two-pill regimen. So I’d be sure not to miss doses and follow the dosing guidance etc.

Changing meds can be a worrying time and it’s important to make as informed a choice as possible, keeping the docs in the loop with side effects and other concerns.

April 17, 2025
A myHIVteam Member

Gabriel. Thank You for your condolences...I take the Integrese Inhibitor Raltegravir twice daily and Darunivir with the boosting agent Ritonivir twice daily. Plus Tenofivir once daily. I have more or less complete resistance to all historical hiv drugs.. And one mutation to Darunivir.. However Darunivir in its twice daily format overcomes resistance,compared to its once daily version which would in fact prove useless. May I ask the names of the medicines your Doctor proposes? As for the injectable drug, do you think you could cope with onging injections?

April 17, 2025

Related Questions

View All
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Barrie, ON

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Missouri City, MO