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Author Topic: Just starting Atripla  (Read 18989 times)

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Offline hereinny

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Just starting Atripla
« on: July 01, 2009, 09:25:59 am »
I just started Atripla (3 hours ago to be exact) and Im really hoping that this dizzy/drunk feeling wont be be this bad every time i take this pill.  I took a couple of weeks off from work to do this but there is no way I could possibly work with this the way i feel now. 
Im taking it in the morning because the way my schedule works it would be easier to take it at the same time every day this way.
I guess ill find out soon enough.  As it is right now i cant even stand up.
Has anyone else had the same experience where the first day was really bad and it got better as time went on?  Thats what im hoping for here.

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2009, 09:33:09 am »
Has anyone else had the same experience where the first day was really bad and it got better as time went on?  Thats what im hoping for here.

Almost everyone gets that dizzy thing. It wears off gradually though; but it is likely to take a good few weeks, or more.

I take my Atripla first thing in the morning too - though I am not sure I would have had the confidence to start off like that - and it doesn't even touch the sides now. I suppose the big advantage to taking it in the morning is that you are unlikely to develop any sleep issues; but if having the dizzy thing for a month or two is going to be a major inconvenience, it may be worth trying to fit it in before you go to bed - at least until the dizziness passes. That is after all the main reason why you are advised to take it before bedtime.
« Last Edit: July 01, 2009, 09:50:03 am by Luke »

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2009, 10:37:51 am »
does the dizzyness wear off during the day or does it tend to hang in there all the time?  What do you mean by "it doesnt even touch the sides"?

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2009, 10:45:23 am »
What do you mean by "it doesnt even touch the sides"?

I mean that I don't get dizzy, don't have sleep issues, don't get anxiety, don't feel fatigued, don't get diarrhoea, don't feel nauseous and basically don't have any obvious physical or sensory manifestations of any side-effects. I do have long-term side-effects, but they relate to blood fats and other such 'hidden' symptoms.

does the dizzyness wear off during the day or does it tend to hang in there all the time?

If my memory serves me correctly, the blood levels of the drug efavirenz - which is the component of Atripla that makes you feel dizzy - will peak about four hours after you have taken your pill. The dizziness will certainly wear off during the day, but I think you can expect it to be pretty severe for four hours or so; before then gradually wearing off. With each day that passes, it will be less and less noticeable - although you shouldn't expect huge changes for the first week or so.

Out of interest, are you eating shortly before / after taking your Atripla? Remember that anything that contains fats will increase the amount of dizziness you experience quite substantially. Empty stomach is always best with Atripla; although once you get used to it you will probably be fine with a light breakfast.
« Last Edit: July 01, 2009, 01:42:10 pm by Luke »

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2009, 02:08:57 pm »
So your saying i shouldnt have the usual steak and egg breakfast with buttermilk every morning?  <kidding>  I am taking it at 6 and going back to bed for a couple of hours so it would be on an empty stomach.  I have never been much on eating in the morning anyway.

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2009, 02:30:38 pm »
I take the humour surge as an indication that the dizziness is passing  ;)

edited to add

By the way, don't be too surprised if you feel a bit giddy, or hyper, from about an hour after you swallow the little pink peril. That too is perfectly normal for the first few weeks - as is, if you a male of the species, an occasionally embarrassing problem down below that is normally associated with a little blue pill (sorry, all you night-time pill-poppers miss out on the delights of that one).
« Last Edit: July 01, 2009, 03:15:35 pm by Luke »

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2009, 05:43:26 pm »
the dizzyness was pretty much gone after 5 or 6 hours but i do feel sort of like im having a caffeine rush all day.  Also my sinuses seem seem like after using viagra.  The humor is just me.  I tend to be a little goofy in stressful situations.

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #7 on: July 01, 2009, 05:48:33 pm »
but i do feel sort of like im having a caffeine rush all day.

Yup, that's the giddy / hyper thing ;)

I still get that intermittently after three years. I am sure there is some variable that triggers it, but I haven't really bothered working that one out. Probably to do with eating.

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2009, 06:47:48 pm »
nope, it has nothing to do with with meds or HIV, im just a goofball.  lol

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #9 on: July 02, 2009, 02:15:50 am »
There is nothing wrong with a little eccentricity. When it comes to living with HIV, it is a distinct advantage.

Offline AboutToStart

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2009, 12:23:42 am »
Luke/hereinny,

isn't it just simpler to take an anti naussia pill together with the Atripla rather than suffer from dizzines... Am about to start Atripla myself and was wondering if that could work...

hereinny - good luck wit your treatment and pls keep updating how you coping..

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2009, 03:45:53 am »
AboutToStart,

Don't confuse this dizziness with feeling nauseous. It is more akin to the physical sensations of being drunk or stoned / high / off your face on recreational dugs - only without the lack of clarity of thought and reasoning that goes with them - than it is a discomfort in the stomach and wanting to vomit.    

Although inconvenient, it can actually be quite a pleasurable sensation (which is why some people actually take efavirenz as a recreational drug). I don't think you could say that about nausea ;)

The best way to avoid it is to take the Atripla as advised, on an empty stomach before bedtime, and just sleep through it - or just sit back and chill out, listen to music or watch TV (although your ability to focus on the latter may be slightly impaired). I am not ashamed to admit that I used to love the feeling and just blisses out on it.

Some people do feel nauseous at the same time, in which case anti-nausea pills will help with that; but it is by no means a given that the two go hand-in-hand.

Edited to add:

I would like to point out that I in no way endorse the use of efavirenz as a recreational drug. Abuse of efavirenz can lead to drug resistance and limit your treatment options.
« Last Edit: July 03, 2009, 04:22:57 am by Luke »

Offline webontheweb

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #12 on: July 03, 2009, 06:32:50 am »
 :D Hi herein nny,    your body will adjust to the meds to the point where you may have no symptoms at all.  I've posted this before, my partner is morning popper and I am an evening.  I don't notice anything at all now after taking the dose.  Just make sure to always take your meds!
Whereabouts in Northern NY?  Email me privately if you would like to chat.  It can d=help to have a buddy go through the experience with you that is further down the curve!
Good luck!
Cheers

Offline AboutToStart

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #13 on: July 03, 2009, 12:06:48 pm »
AboutToStart,

Don't confuse this dizziness with feeling nauseous. It is more akin to the physical sensations of being drunk or stoned / high / off your face on recreational dugs - only without the lack of clarity of thought and reasoning that goes with them - than it is a discomfort in the stomach and wanting to vomit.     ]
« Last Edit: July 03, 2009, 12:10:17 pm by AboutToStart »

Offline AboutToStart

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #14 on: July 03, 2009, 12:14:33 pm »
AboutToStart,

Don't confuse this dizziness with feeling nauseous. It is more akin to the physical sensations of being drunk or stoned / high / off your face on recreational dugs - only without the lack of clarity of thought and reasoning that goes with them - than it is a discomfort in the stomach and wanting to vomit.    
means a given that the two go hand-in-hand.

Hey Luke,

Thanks for the clarification.. I guess I meant naussea in the broad sense with its dizzines rather than stomach upset. I have some anti naussea pills at home and they do say they're anti dizzines as well so I thought they might still be useful..?? (though says it may cause some drowsiness/dizzines of its own as a side effect... - huh!!!)

I sometimes have to get up very early in the morning to go to work.. If I encounter this dizzy/drunkness feelings that some guys mention - do you think a quick Alka Seltzer Morning Relief could help to ease off some/most of the effavirenz effect?? ("For the temporary relief of minor aches and pains with fatigue or drowsiness associated with a hangover"; http://www.shopinprivate.com/hanrelpilbya.html)

Perhaps something else that is more anti-dizziness oriented??

Thanks!

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #15 on: July 03, 2009, 12:26:01 pm »
Trust me, any anti-nausea medication you have won't touch this dizziness; but you shouldn't in any case need it by the next morning - even if it is quite an early start. You may feel a little groggy and lightly hungover, but the dizziness should have passed in the night as the level of Atripla in your blood decreases.   

You may want to keep the Alka-Seltzer handy for the groggy / hangover felling though - assuming that you even get that. I suspect you wont really need it though.

I think you need to forget about trying to medicate this dizziness away. It is just one of those facts of life that you almost certainly will get it for the first month or two of treatment on Atripla. Accommodating it is a small price to pay for what it does. Also remember that hereinny  is only really experiencing it as dramtically as this because he is taking Atripla in the morning, rather than the evening. Stick to taking it before you go to bed and you will be fine ;)


Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #16 on: July 05, 2009, 06:59:30 am »
Well after 5 days its official:  taking meds sucks.  LOL    Ok, it could suck a lot more i'm sure.  Every day seems a slight bit better than the day before.  If every day is an improvement over the day before at this rate, things will be normal in a couple of weeks at the most.
Keeping in mind the fact that i am taking it in the morning, the only real side effect i am having is the dizzyness which sort of morphs itself into a feeling of a caffeine overdose.  By the time this wears off im pretty exhausted.
The two things that seem to have a real impact are both about food.  The first is that after a couple of days, i tried taking it with a small bowl of oatmeal.  I noticed a bigger improvement that day than the others. The second is when i get that caffeine rush feeling, i eat a real meal (it happens right around lunch time anyway) and that helps a lot.
As far as dreams go, they have actually been kind of funny. (one involved two smart cars being driven by clowns) Not an issue at all.
All in all it hasn't been so bad in spite of the "taking meds sucks" remarks earlier.  If these side effects don't improve i wont be able to stay on Atripla but so far and based on all i'm reading here, they will improve so i'm gonna stick with it for now.
Most likely when and if the dizziness wears off i will switch to taking it at night. I know that seems backward but i have a pretty complicated situation as far as my job goes so i have to play around with it a little bit.
It would be great if some people would weight in on their experiences for the first few weeks on atripla.  It is helpful to read some of the more encouraging posts.

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #17 on: July 05, 2009, 07:26:52 am »
I am pleased to hear that things are getting gradually better.

Oatmeal is an excellent choice. I don't know how intentional it was, but it is probably the best food you could have chosen (for numerous side-effect management reasons).

There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking your Atripla in the morning. If that is when it needs to be taken in order to fit into your work / life routine, then that is the right place for it. The only reason I keep commenting on it is that it does distort your side-effect experience that little bit, so please don't take any comments as a criticism.

Beyond what you have described so far, the only additional side-effect I can think of from the first few weeks was that I developed a pretty spectacular rash at around day 10. By spectacular I mean that it covered my entire body except for my hands, feet and face. It didn't itch, but there was an intense sensation of  heat in my knees and upper legs. A standard cetirizine antihistamine had that under control in no time at all .. and from there on it has pretty much been plain sailing and I've never had to take a single day off work or found the regimen to be a major intrusion on my lifestyle and routines.

By the time I had my first draw of bloods at 14 days I had already hit an undetectable viral load - and the feeling of elation I got from that easily made it worth suffering the few minor inconveniences of the side-effects.

Over the longer term, sleep issues accumulated slowly into a major source of annoyance and motivated me to swap to taking Atripla first thing in the morning when I woke up. This cured all my sleep issues in an instant.

The hidden side-effects are that I have had to work hard on my lipids (especially triglyceride levels) and that one of my liver enzymes is very slightly elevated.
« Last Edit: July 05, 2009, 07:44:40 am by Luke »

Offline GNYC09

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #18 on: July 05, 2009, 07:37:13 am »
Hi, I am about 11 weeks into Atripla, which I take before bed. I do not eat within 3 hours of my pill and try to not eat fatty foods. During the first few weeks I had to take my Atripla with Ambien because I would wake up feeling very dizzy (it felt like a major hangover!).  I now take it a few hours before bed without Ambien because the dizziness is pretty much gone.  Occasionally I'll wake up in the middle of the night for a glass of water and feel a teeny dizzy but not much  As for the rash, I had a very minor one a few weeks into Atripla.  Although I was initially afraid of taking this pill, I'm now so thankful because it really has made my VL drop.  It seems that its negative effects are also subsiding for you. Hang in there and good luck!  :)

Offline planonstaying

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #19 on: July 05, 2009, 11:46:44 am »
I started    June 29th. At night I fell buzzed  now and  don't have a great deal of concentration  but  during the day I am great. I got up went to the gym today etc etc. A week ago I was throwing up in the AM and sick to my stomach all day.  This has not been nearly as difficult as i anticipated it might be.
If someone tells you  potential consequences of a behavior  it  doesn't  mean they jude you or mit    they may just give a shit about you

Offline lowpro

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #20 on: July 05, 2009, 03:28:12 pm »
 :( I have been on Atripla for 5 days now. Tonight will be night 6. I totally hate this medicine. I know the benefits and the good that will come out of it, but Lord knows it is the worse feeling for me. If its either waking up in the middle of the night with Vertigo, or waking up in the morning feeling groggy and feel like throwing up. This morning is the 3rd morning that I have woke up and shortly after went and threw up stomach acid. I want to quit the meds so bad. I feel horrible. I don't see how I can function. Today after the throw up session, I feel better than I have in the past. My Dr. said it would last 1-2 weeks.... I dunno. I feel horrible. I have read your all posts and will try different things I read and hopefully it will make it a little better. I am 26 and a HS teacher thank God I have summers off, otherwise I don't think I would have a job for long. We'll see what happens!!

Offline GNYC09

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #21 on: July 05, 2009, 07:19:14 pm »
lowpro, yikes! I'm sorry to hear about the reaction you are having.  I also had that vertigo you mention + crazy LSD-like dreams.  I didn't puke although I did have some nausea + major fatigue, which I chalked up to the other 7 medicines I was on at the time. I totally went through a stage where I wondered, "if this is what I'll feel like the rest of my life, is it worth it?"  In my case, I hung in there and it did get a lot better. That said, Atripla is not for everyone. I hope it gets better for you but definitely keep your doctor in on the loop. Are you noticing any improvement in how you feel? 
Be well.

Offline lowpro

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #22 on: July 05, 2009, 09:37:52 pm »
GNYC09--------->Any improvement?? hmm not yet. As much as I hate this medicine so far. My Dr. said 1-2 weeks before the sideeffects should go away, so I will give it that. I haven't had any dreams (yet and hoping I don't). The worse thing for me is waking up feeling like I just did 500 spins on a broomstick and now trying to walk for the whole day. We well see how tomorrow morning goes!
P.S. I am  really glad I found this site... I was really stressing about the whole thing...My Partner isn't on meds, so he is oblivious to how they work and the side effects and all!! Glad to know I am not the only one having a heck of a time

Offline AboutToStart

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #23 on: July 06, 2009, 01:57:04 am »
I get the picture, Luke ---> pills/meds don't help fight the dizziness, just time passing.. by the way - your face pic looks all twisted... is it really that way or is it the Atripla dizziness that makes me see that?? LoL,, j/k.. haven't started just yet, but I have my first day date carved in stone now..

Good luck, lowpro, dont give up

Offline Rev. Moon

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #24 on: July 06, 2009, 11:11:39 pm »
Abouttostart, I started Atripla on June 11th (I will soon be "celebrating" a month).  I was fortunate to not experience any of the side effects normally listed by those who take it (no crazy dreams; I always wake up at 7am and don't feel anything different than before I started it, and no dizziness or nausea).  Like Luke however I did develop a weird rash about two weeks into the treatment that covered my forearms.  I had had the same exact thing about a month ago during seroconversion, so I am not sure if it was the med or my body fighting something within. It was gone in two days.  Additionally, I am finding my sleep being affected, but I believe this will pass (or perhaps I will switch to taking in the early morning like Luke).

I have yet the see what impact this has had on my viral load (blood work will be done next week), but I am being very hopeful that everything is going to be good.  For now my only concern is that I have noticed a reduction in my urine; I will be seeing the doctor about this on Wednesday.

Hang in there! Hopefully in a couple of days you will no longer experience what you have been feeling so far.  Best of luck and health to you!
« Last Edit: July 06, 2009, 11:14:30 pm by livebythemoon »
"I have tried hard--but life is difficult, and I am a very useless person. I can hardly be said to have an independent existence. I was just a screw or a cog in the great machine I called life, and when I dropped out of it I found I was of no use anywhere else."

Offline saveon

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #25 on: July 07, 2009, 09:08:43 am »
Hi,
Going to visit doc on Wednesday, and will be starting Atripla.Is it as good as what I have read?

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #26 on: July 07, 2009, 08:53:25 pm »
So here is the deal so far on day 7.  Keeping in mind that i take this at 6am.... Within 1/2 hour or so i feel dizzy, but not nearly as dizzy as day 1.  At its worst, i feel like I had a beer,  a very slight buzz but nothing more really.  This is a HUGE improvement over day 1. I begin to move closer and closer to feeling normal as the day goes on but never quite get there. (hey, its only day 7)  What happens to me is that dizziness seems to move into a feeling of being hypercaffeinated. I do drink a lot of coffee but the only times in the past i have felt like this (before meds) is if i drank a lot of coffee with nothing to eat.  Eating does help this though.  It helps a lot.

I think the trick here for me is going to try different things.  We are all different so i guess we all need to find just what works right for us.  Today i tried 1/2 reg and 1/2 decaff coffee.  Seemed to help a little.  Ill try it again tomorrow and see what happens.

To the dude who just started and is vomiting.......If your off for the summer, why don't you consider trying to take it in the morning and see if that has any effect.  I found that after an hour or so, getting up and moving around a little seemed to help also.  Maybe filling yourself up with this and then just going to sleep isn't right for you.  I read one post where a guy goes running afterwords and said that helps.

Don't bail too soon.  Try some different things.  Everything I'm reading about this tells me if you can get through the first few weeks, its like popping a jelly bean everyday. (well maybe not that easy but ....) That beats whats involved with taking multiple pill at all different times.  etc.

Talk to your doc before you change anything he tells you but challenge him on things if you think something might work better for you.

Offline webontheweb

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #27 on: July 08, 2009, 04:47:52 pm »
did somebody just say jelly beans?   YUM    yes, boys and girls,  the effects to dwindle down.   For all of you posting, the effects will subside.  this is some powerful voodoo that we are taking and it has to do it's thing to get us back on track.   

Stick with the regimen and find a poz buddy to help mentor you through it, plenty of us have been there and done that.

I thank God for the meds as they have changed many lives.
Cheers!

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #28 on: July 08, 2009, 08:44:45 pm »
Day 8,  the rash.  Not really sure what to do here but I'm a little concerned.  I noticed some bumps on my thighs earlier and thought something might be going on, then i took a nap and now this rash is on the lower part of my neck, shoulders, chest and thighs. 

Last week i thought i was getting a little rash but it turned out to be nothing.  When i called my doctor about that he said it didn't sound like a rash but if it wasn't noticeable without being pointed out, it most likely was not.  He did say if it appeared to be spreading to stop taking the meds.  I don't want to do that at all. 

Now this time it really is a rash, I am going to call him in the am and see what he says but since i do take this a 6am, i am going to take tomorrows dose.  I have come this far and since all of the other side effects seem to have been reduced to almost nothing, i don't want to throw that away.  If he says to stop the med, i will do what he says but he is going to get a fight.  It seems this is a pretty common side effect and most say it goes away.

Any thoughts on this?  Especially from the veteran atripla users........  C'mon folks,  help me out here....I'm being pretty calm about this but that could change at any moment.  lol

Offline GNYC09

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #29 on: July 08, 2009, 09:41:50 pm »
You should take a look at the posts below about the Atripla rash.  Most of the people say they were advised by their doctor to stop taking the med only if the rash got really bad. Benadryl seemed to help a lot.

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=27000.0
http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=19387.0

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #30 on: July 09, 2009, 03:47:28 am »
For myself and anyone else I know who has had the rash, it wasn't bumpy - it was a smooth uniform reddening of the skin and looked more like sunburn.

If your rash stays small and painless, it probably isn't anything to worry about. But if you are in the least bit worried, contact your doctor for reassurance.

With new rashes when you are starting medication it is always better to err on the side of caution and seek medical advice; because it can either be nothing at all, or it can be a sign of much more serious acute inflammatory syndrome

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #31 on: July 09, 2009, 09:58:37 am »
Well today (day 9) the side effects (dizziness, etc) are all but gone. I guess they had to make room for this rash that has all but covered me.  About the only place i dont seem to have it is on my face.  Its a little unsettling but i hope my doctor will let me continue with the Atripla a few days longer.  With a little luck the rash will go away.

The rash seemed to get much worse this morning after i took my pill.  That was 4 hours ago and man do i look ugly.  I guess im lucky considering its not too itchy.

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #32 on: July 09, 2009, 11:03:30 am »
I'd be very surprised if he doesn't just prescribe / suggest an antihistamine to be taken for the next couple of weeks. If he doesn't, I'd certainly challenge him; because the rash is far from unusual and, from what you are saying, it really doesn't sound at all out of the ordinary.  I suspect that much will depend on how experienced the doctor is.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2009, 11:28:16 am by Luke »

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #33 on: July 10, 2009, 07:39:08 am »
I am about an hour away from my Doctor.  I called him and at first he said to me that i should probably stop because i was so far and it was hard to really make a call about a rash over the phone.  We talked further and he said it would be ok to "push through" the rash and see what happens.  He just said that if it involves my mouth or my eyes, i should not take another dose.  He did tell me to get benadryl and take that which i did do.  Does anyone know if the benadryl do anything for the rash itself or just the irritation caused by the rash?

My doctor is very experienced with HIV.  The way i found him is he was listed as one of the 10 best ID doctors in NYC in an article published in New York Magazine. He works out of Beth Israel Hospital which i would highly recommend to everyone.

Last night the rash was definitely clearing up but this morning when i took the pill it came back with a vengeance.

I guess i am luck since this doesnt seem to be too itchy.  It is pretty much everywhere below my neck and is somewhat unsettling to look at but if its just a temporary thing, its no big deal.

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #34 on: July 10, 2009, 07:50:30 am »
Benadryl is fine and should take the edge off things whilst the rash subsides. (For the benefit of any UK readers, we are talking about Benadryl Allergy Relief, not the more common cough mixture).

I promise you that the rash is temporary and you will see from my own earlier comments that the extent of rash comes as no surprise to me. Hang on in there for a few more days and it will be vanishing as quickly as the dizziness has ;)

Quote
I developed a pretty spectacular rash at around day 10. By spectacular I mean that it covered my entire body except for my hands, feet and face.

Your doctor's advice is sound. Push on with the Benadryl - and if there is any fever, shortness of breath or eye/mouth involvement, then it is time to think about not taking any more Atripla. In the meantime, make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids and keep taking the Benadryl for a few days after the rash has gone.
« Last Edit: July 10, 2009, 08:28:53 am by Luke »

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #35 on: July 10, 2009, 09:23:46 am »
does the benadryl effect the extent of the rash itself or is it just to relieve the itching?

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #36 on: July 10, 2009, 09:27:01 am »
does the benadryl effect the extent of the rash itself or is it just to relieve the itching?

A bit of both - but think of it as more of a moderating effect than a fix. It certainly won't get rid of the rash completely and you can still expect the rash to be at its worst after taking your meds.

Offline saveon

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #37 on: July 13, 2009, 10:49:19 am »
My doctor has just put me on sustiva and  kaletra, The is my first time on meds...has anyone had any experiences to share? i have read and heard not so many flattering statements about sustiva and it has me a lot concerned.

Offline AboutToStart

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #38 on: July 13, 2009, 11:16:26 am »
Don't be too concerned, I just took my first pill last night (Atripla). This morning I have a light dizzyness and weakness, so it's good I can stay at home.. Nothing too bad thou.. I've never been "stoned" so I can't really compare it with that, but I had my share of sea sickness (motion sickness) and it feels as a light case of that (except for the throw ups..).

Good luck!

Offline hereinny

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #39 on: July 16, 2009, 10:05:54 pm »
As I put in my other post,  my rash is pretty much gone.  Seems to come and go when i get hot and sweaty or take a hot shower.  That seems to make it worse.  All in all its not bad at all right now.  It was pretty nerve racking when it was at its worst but thank god I'm past that.
As for other side effects, i seem to have good and bad days.  I'm beginning to notice some patterns depending on food, amount of sleep, activity, etc.  I'm thinking its going to take some trial and error to get all this right but my worst days aren't unbearable,  just thankful that the rash is gone.

Offline mikey62

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #40 on: July 23, 2009, 01:45:42 am »
I'm starting Atripla tonight (just took it 5 mins ago) but I was on Truvada & Sustiva for the past 4 weeks.  I took them at night and had fogginess or dizziness for major part of the mornings for the first 3 weeks.  But all that has really gone away now.  My ID doctor wanted to make sure I didn't have any major side effects on the Sustiva before switching me to Atripla.  So we'll see how things go in the morning.  The one thing I can tell everyone is that you really need to make sure that you try to take it on an empty stomach if at all possible before going to bed.  If not, just be sure that you don't eat anything with a high fat content or try to take it at least 2 hours after you've last eaten.  It seems to have adverse reactions with the other properties in the meds.  But nothing life threatening.

I haven't had nightmares or night terrors like I have read some others (just a slight few) have had.  But I am dreaming more than I ever have.  And some nights I have some doozy of dreams.  I don't know where they come from.

It's trully amazing how far modern medicine has come since the beginning of HIV/AIDS, some 20 years+ ago.  I can't even imagine trying to take a shitload of meds back then.
Just 1, one-a-day med.  Amazing!!!
I just hope I have the same success most everyone else is having on this and for a long time.
I will keep you posted on how things go.
Oct '07 - seroconverted (didn't know what it was at the time)
8/21/08 - tested HIV+
9/18/08 - CD4:329  21%  VL:7000
11/13/08 - CD4:415  19%  VL:5470
1/30/09 - CD4:109  18%  VL:5000 (bad lab count) THAT was scarey!
2/12/09 - CD4:389  19%  VL:5500 (re-tested)
4/15/09 - CD4:365  19%  VL:18,320  (due to slight infection)
5/30/09 - CD4:279  20%  VL:285K  time for meds (Atripla)
6/23/09 - CD4:264  20%  VL:683
9/25/09 - CD4:318  21%  VL:325
11/20/09 - CD4:330  24%  VL:123.  I'm gettin there...
1/15/10- CD4:337  24%  VL:118
2/26/10 - CD4:389  28%  VL:ud
6/25/10 - CD4:395  25%  VL:ud
8/24/10 - CD4:407  28%  VL:ud
1/14/11 - CD4:512  26%  VL:ud
6/09/11 - CD4:535  29%  VL:ud
4/02/13 - CD4:605  32%  VL:ud
6/14/13 - CD4:470  29%  VL:ud

Offline AboutToStart

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #41 on: July 23, 2009, 12:28:45 pm »
Good luck Mikey. I'm sure you'll do just fine coz you're just switching from the same components of the atripla taken seperately to consuming it all in one pill, but no material change really.

I totally agree about the empty stomach and the magnitude of the side effects - the longer/emptier the better!!

As for the dreams I agree as well - feels like they are more vivid as far as you can remember them once awaken, but I don't think they're any more weird than before... dreams are always weird just not so rememberfull afterwards.. the "weirdest" for me so far: waking up thinking I'm in Billings, MT (!!!) for crying out loud!! Never been there, don't know anybody from there.. don't have a clue why Billings... ???

Editted to add: after reading Luke's comment bellow I was stand corrected...
« Last Edit: July 23, 2009, 12:44:16 pm by AboutToStart »

Offline Luke

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #42 on: July 23, 2009, 12:33:07 pm »
Arlo Guthrie studied briefly at Rocky Mountain College in Billings. That's a good enough reason to dream about it ;)

Offline saveon

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #43 on: August 03, 2009, 10:04:43 am »
It's Day 4, since starting with sustiva and kivexa the overall effects have been quite mild. Only slight  dizzy/ drunkness feeling!

Offline mikey62

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #44 on: August 28, 2009, 01:35:26 am »
Hi all,
so, as you can see (below), my numbers are doing well.  As for my VL, my blood sample somehow got lost somewhere.  How the F*** does this happen?  But my doc said not to worry.  He's pretty sure that based on my previous numbers, I'm sure to be undetectable.  I go back in September for bloodwork.  Hopefully, they won't lose my blood.

Other than being tired a lot from working a lot, I feel really good.  I feel better now than I did back in February.  I'm sure mostly due to the meds.  Atripla has been great.  The only side effect, (besides the fogginess first 3 weeks), I've had are the dreams.  I'd still like to know where the damn things come from.  I'm just glad they're not nightmares or night terrors.

All my other blookwork seems to be also getting better.  besides my numbers improving, the one good thing that I'm liking out of this, is the weight loss.  Which has been much needed.  I know most of it is due to the med, but I'm also trying to watch what I eat.  hhmm... I wonder, what would Atripla do to someone who is hiv neg?


Oct '07 - seroconverted (didn't know what it was at the time)
8/21/08 - tested HIV+
9/18/08 - CD4:329  21%  VL:7000
11/13/08 - CD4:415  19%  VL:5470
1/30/09 - CD4:109  18%  VL:5000 (bad lab count) THAT was scarey!
2/12/09 - CD4:389  19%  VL:5500 (re-tested)
4/15/09 - CD4:365  19%  VL:18,320  (due to slight infection)
5/30/09 - CD4:279  20%  VL:285K  time for meds (Atripla)
6/23/09 - CD4:264  20%  VL:683
9/25/09 - CD4:318  21%  VL:325
11/20/09 - CD4:330  24%  VL:123.  I'm gettin there...
1/15/10- CD4:337  24%  VL:118
2/26/10 - CD4:389  28%  VL:ud
6/25/10 - CD4:395  25%  VL:ud
8/24/10 - CD4:407  28%  VL:ud
1/14/11 - CD4:512  26%  VL:ud
6/09/11 - CD4:535  29%  VL:ud
4/02/13 - CD4:605  32%  VL:ud
6/14/13 - CD4:470  29%  VL:ud

Offline peteb

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Re: Just starting Atripla
« Reply #45 on: May 05, 2010, 02:05:43 pm »
I hope you are feeling better I take Atripla at night no bad dreams :)  alittle rash
Pete

 


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