Getting off meds

[Guest]

Im planning on moving next month and because of some health insurance stuff theres a chance I'm going to have to be off meds for a month or two. Has anyone gotten off meds and gotten off? Did you have any complications? 

[BootmanLA]

13 hours ago, rawbtm95 said:

Im planning on moving next month and because of some health insurance stuff theres a chance I'm going to have to be off meds for a month or two. Has anyone gotten off meds and gotten off? Did you have any complications? 

This is something you need to discuss with your doctor.

Going off meds for a month is typically not fatal, but at the same time, your viral load is likely to spike upwards and your t-cells may drop. This is especially an issue if you went undiagnosed as poz for a good while after conversion. Most often, once you begin treatment again, your numbers will improve again, but you may never get back quite to where you were (or you may; it really is patient-dependent).

Look into programs that provide HIV medications for free or low cost in your new area (and for that matter, where you are now, because they may be able to refer you somewhere).

Additionally, I know my insurer (a Blue Cross affiliate) allows ongoing prescriptions to be filled 25 days after the last fill. That makes sure there is overlap between your current fill and the next one, and it's possible you could get an "early" fill for your medications before you leave, to help tide you over. Your doctor may also know of specific resources for continuing this kind of medication on a stopgap basis.

Don't be afraid to ask - there's a lot of assistance out there, but someone often has to point it out because it's not readily apparent. AHF, for instance, provided my meds for free while I was first signing up for coverage that would take care of them (because my doctor is an AHF affiliate). 

[wood]

If you are going off, stay off completely, DO NOT try to extend them by taking them every other day or anything like that. Most med resistance happens from things like that. Not just from completely stopping for a bit. A couple months should be fine, not recommended but usually fine. 

[120DaysofSodom]

On 2/19/2022 at 4:10 AM, rawbtm95 said:

Im planning on moving next month and because of some health insurance stuff theres a chance I'm going to have to be off meds for a month or two. Has anyone gotten off meds and gotten off? Did you have any complications? 

Have you spoken to a specialist in the area youre moving to about whether there is an ADAP or Ryan White Care Act program available for you to get enrolled in during that transitional period?