HIV, with Dr Watiti
Nov 14, 2010
GOING off medication was unwise because you could have prayed and taken your medication concurrently like many believers are doing.
Dear Doctor,
I have been off ARVs for one year because I have been praying for healing. However, when I went back for a blood test, I still tested HIV-positive. I have no complaint, but my doctor has advised that I resume taking my medication. However I am concerned and wonder if the drugs will work, now that I have been off for so long? Secondly, isn’t it better for me to take second line drugs?
Scovia
Dear Scovia,
GOING off medication was unwise because you could have prayed and taken your medication concurrently like many believers are doing.
There is evidence that faith has a lot it helps with healing but use of medicines should not be looked at as lack of faith.
Many people of faith agree it is God who gives people wisdom and ability to discover wonder drugs like ARVs.
Even though you have no complaint, you should resume taking your drugs and adhere to treatment. If you do not, in due course, you will fall sick and if your CD4 count drops, it may be too late to help you.
Since the first line drugs you were taking had not failed by the time you stopped taking them, you should go back to the same regimen after finding out your CD4 count.
After taking them for six months, do another test and if your CD4 count continues to fall or does not increase significantly, it may then be necessary for you to change to the second line regimen. It is also important that you seek counselling.
Lastly, it is important that all people starting antiretroviral therapy are taken through adherence counselling so that they appreciate the fact that it is treatment for life and should be continued even if one feels well.
I have been off ARVs for one year because I have been praying for healing. However, when I went back for a blood test, I still tested HIV-positive. I have no complaint, but my doctor has advised that I resume taking my medication. However I am concerned and wonder if the drugs will work, now that I have been off for so long? Secondly, isn’t it better for me to take second line drugs?
Scovia
Dear Scovia,
GOING off medication was unwise because you could have prayed and taken your medication concurrently like many believers are doing.
There is evidence that faith has a lot it helps with healing but use of medicines should not be looked at as lack of faith.
Many people of faith agree it is God who gives people wisdom and ability to discover wonder drugs like ARVs.
Even though you have no complaint, you should resume taking your drugs and adhere to treatment. If you do not, in due course, you will fall sick and if your CD4 count drops, it may be too late to help you.
Since the first line drugs you were taking had not failed by the time you stopped taking them, you should go back to the same regimen after finding out your CD4 count.
After taking them for six months, do another test and if your CD4 count continues to fall or does not increase significantly, it may then be necessary for you to change to the second line regimen. It is also important that you seek counselling.
Lastly, it is important that all people starting antiretroviral therapy are taken through adherence counselling so that they appreciate the fact that it is treatment for life and should be continued even if one feels well.