Dan0:
Diagnosed in 2002 and on Atripla since July of 2006 - and aside from the initial vivid dreams and the occassional "loopy" feeling for the first six months or so, I've been largely problem free. Until recently and I'm not certain if this is manifestations that occur after prolonged usage or if this is just "Me". I continually say that I'm in great shape for the shape I'm in - but this has me somewhat concerned.
Over the course of the last six months depression has set in and there is really no problematic issues that would have created this. I've been in a secure relationship for 13 years, great job, insurance, etc. There is no reason that these overwhelming spasms of depression should hit - but they do - and the result is reckless behaviors, mood swings, lethargy and a complete change in personality. I would like to chalk it up to the Atripla, but just don't know that this would suddenly 'pop up' after seven years of medication. No, I have not brought this up to my doctor. My counts are good, my labs are excellent and I am in great shape - I figure that things could be worse and I'm lucky.
The other issue that has come up that I don't see anything on are these very sporadic dizzy spells. They last anywhere from five to ten seconds and their frequency can be as little as once every two weeks. Completely debiliating for their duration, it feels as if my eyes are crossing and vertigo sets in....then as quick as it comes, it vanishes and I'm fine. No feelings of nausea or disorientation - it's back to business as usual.
I've had an MRI and it showed nothing abnormal. A scan did produce some puzzling activity that was 'abnormal' but I haven't been able to follow up with the 7 days worth of monitoring with the head contraption that records your brain waves. I suppose that I figure if there isn't a tumor then leave well enough alone. I've brought it up to my HIV doctor and he is perplexed, too and doesn't think it is attributable to the Atripla.
Most of my friends that I have are HIV positive and I seem to be one of the few still on Atripla (as is my b/f), so I don't have much to compare my experiences to. The b/f has no issues other than bathroom habits.
Is there a greater occurrence of depression the longer you are on Atripla???
wolfter:
--- Quote from: bocker3 on March 21, 2013, 04:33:50 pm ---
Interestingly, my doc did NOT suggest Sustiva -- he was pushing me toward Kaletra, but with my family cardiac history I told him "absolutely not". He listened and when I said Sustiva, he went along. I was definitely unequivocal in my stance on Kaletra and he never pushed. So -- I think it is important to be clear and direct.
So -- there is my personal input.
Mike
--- End quote ---
Sometimes I love revived threads as I usually missed something important due to my brain fade. :o The Summer of 2001, shortly after my 26th fine, 36th birthday I had my first heart attack. I was on kaletra and Combivir and I guess I didn't realize there was the potential issue. I was still on that combo when I had my second one a few years later.
I guess I might have dodged another bullet by deciding to stop all meds after Bill's death? Being severely depressed might saved my life. lol
On an irrelevant side note, I had my first myocardial infarction on a Friday and did nothing about until til Monday morning. I showed up to work and my boss was like hell no, you're going to the ER. She made a co-worker drive me. After revealing that my heart enzyme test came back positive, he inquired what HIV meds I was on. He did this right in front of my coworker. Perhaps if I hadn't been so freaked out by that, I could have had an intelligent discussion with him.
mitch777:
--- Quote from: Dan0 on September 03, 2013, 03:50:56 pm ---Diagnosed in 2002 and on Atripla since July of 2006 - and aside from the initial vivid dreams and the occassional "loopy" feeling for the first six months or so, I've been largely problem free. Until recently and I'm not certain if this is manifestations that occur after prolonged usage or if this is just "Me". I continually say that I'm in great shape for the shape I'm in - but this has me somewhat concerned.
Over the course of the last six months depression has set in and there is really no problematic issues that would have created this. I've been in a secure relationship for 13 years, great job, insurance, etc. There is no reason that these overwhelming spasms of depression should hit - but they do - and the result is reckless behaviors, mood swings, lethargy and a complete change in personality. I would like to chalk it up to the Atripla, but just don't know that this would suddenly 'pop up' after seven years of medication. No, I have not brought this up to my doctor. My counts are good, my labs are excellent and I am in great shape - I figure that things could be worse and I'm lucky.
The other issue that has come up that I don't see anything on are these very sporadic dizzy spells. They last anywhere from five to ten seconds and their frequency can be as little as once every two weeks. Completely debiliating for their duration, it feels as if my eyes are crossing and vertigo sets in....then as quick as it comes, it vanishes and I'm fine. No feelings of nausea or disorientation - it's back to business as usual.
I've had an MRI and it showed nothing abnormal. A scan did produce some puzzling activity that was 'abnormal' but I haven't been able to follow up with the 7 days worth of monitoring with the head contraption that records your brain waves. I suppose that I figure if there isn't a tumor then leave well enough alone. I've brought it up to my HIV doctor and he is perplexed, too and doesn't think it is attributable to the Atripla.
Most of my friends that I have are HIV positive and I seem to be one of the few still on Atripla (as is my b/f), so I don't have much to compare my experiences to. The b/f has no issues other than bathroom habits.
Is there a greater occurrence of depression the longer you are on Atripla???
--- End quote ---
Hi Dano and welcome to the forums!
Many parts of what you wrote struck home with me. Specifically, the depression for unknown reasons, mood swings, and lethargy. Another major symptom of mine was the loss of clarity of thought.
My counts are good and were actually at their best when I switched meds so I know what you mean when you say "It could be worse and I'm lucky". Well, I suppose it could be worse but I wouldn't discount what you are going through.
I can't address the dizzy spells while on Atripla but I do get them on occasion now. Pretty minor for me. Not sure if they could be related or not to Atripla in your case.
Anyway, I hope you have read this whole thread to give you a wider scope of others experiences. Symptoms are difficult to figure out sometimes as to exactly what causes them but I will add that I have never regretted my decision to make the change. I feel like I have a part of my life back that had slowly faded away. For me, Atripla was the reason. I also think the length of time on it can play a role but that's just my opinion. I love my ID doc but it took a bit of convincing on my part to get him to agree. Now he seems genuinely happy for me and understands the change was right for me.
My stats if it matters: 30+ years poz. On Atripla (or equivalent separated meds) since around 2001 (I think). CD4 count was around 900 and VL was UD at the time of my med change. (still pretty much the same now) Switched to Truvada and Isentress in March of this year.
Hope this is of some help and looking forward to hearing more from you. There are lots of people here with wisdom and support. :)
m.
Dan0:
Thanks!
I guess I would like to know if the 'funk' is related to the pills or something else. The end result is not that bad.....I'm chalking it up to a pre-mid-life crisis and doing all the proveribal things one would do to eliminate that: sports car, gym membership, hair color. I may be a bit depressed but I'll look damn good! ;D
From what my friends say about Atripla - those few that are still on it and those that were, the most significant issues they experienced were the dreams. Personally, I found it more amusing than horrifying. I heard the stories of zombies, violence and terrors. I suppose I was lucky. I would have Phyllis Diller or Ma Kettle.
Next appointment in six months - we'll see if the gym membership does the trick!
mitch777:
--- Quote from: Dan0 on September 03, 2013, 06:39:16 pm ---Thanks!
I guess I would like to know if the 'funk' is related to the pills or something else. The end result is not that bad.....I'm chalking it up to a pre-mid-life crisis and doing all the proveribal things one would do to eliminate that: sports car, gym membership, hair color. I may be a bit depressed but I'll look damn good! ;D
From what my friends say about Atripla - those few that are still on it and those that were, the most significant issues they experienced were the dreams. Personally, I found it more amusing than horrifying. I heard the stories of zombies, violence and terrors. I suppose I was lucky. I would have Phyllis Diller or Ma Kettle.
Next appointment in six months - we'll see if the gym membership does the trick!
--- End quote ---
I guess it would depend on your definition of "funk". I thought my "funky" brain was changing my life and it sounds like it may be for you too? I'm 54 and the hair color change went out the window last year. lol. I bought a fancy car (not so sporty) last summer too to appease myself and knowing that it will probably be the last car for me (I only put on 6,000 miles per year). Never have been a guy for the gym but that's another story. ::)
The dreams were more amusing to me too.
I don't profess to have all the answers but I'm still wondering if you have read this whole thread and if you can relate to what others have said.
I am obviously not a fan of Atripla. (Sustiva in particular)