Atripla and Sleep Aids

[DanKenny]

Hi,

I just started Atripla about 5 days ago.  The major side effect is dizziness and some form of sleeplessness.

For example, when I take the meds, almost 3 hours after, I feel as if I am not sleeping.

But when I wake up in the morning, I don't feel the effects of sleeplessness -- I feel energized, and not sleepy, but just dizzy.

Are these normal feelings? 

I want to try Ativan, but I hear it is addictive.  Are there any herbal or nutritional supplements that people have tried?

Regards, DK

[ARMANDO]

well you have to remember that most of the meds out there do cause insomina.i have been taking sleeping pills for over 15 yrs,it's just part of the regiment as far as i'm concerned

[indyguy]

I am glad I saw this. I started yesterday and slept for about 5 hours then wide awake. Guess I didnt read all of the side effects

[Tucsonwoody]

Another thing to keep in mind...especially when first starting on Atripla and probably many other meds....your body will react differently over time.  What might occur at the beginning then fades away after a few days or weeks or sometimes longer.  And others may see no impact at first, then experience side effects down the road.

Seems everyone reacts differently and on a different schedule.  It's good to keep posting about what happens to you so others can learn what to look for...thanks for that.

[antibody]

a benzodiazapine deffiantely helps. i asked for Restoril and it's been doing the trick for about 3 weeks now.

[budndallastx]

I am not on Atripla yet but will be once my current stock runs out but am taking Sustiva/Truvada.

For me, the Sustiva component of my treatment has evolved.  Initially, I would wake up after a couple of hours but now, I sleep through the night usually without any problems.  I still need that caffeine to push me along in the morning but otherwise no problems.   I also read somewhere about people with insomnia, that sometimes they actually are sleeping but dreaming about being awake.  If I find the article, I'll post a link here. 

If you're just starting on Sustiva, it'll be a month before your system adjusts.

[rick749]

That happens to me allot. I think I am awake and thinking, but actually I am asleep and dreaming. Then I wake up and feel rested. I couldn't figure out how I could sleep so little and feel rested. I was sleeping and dreaming. Its weird but I have gotten used to it.

[DanKenny]

thanks to all:

I think the awake thinking but actually sleeping explanation makes sense -- that probably explains why I feel rested in the morning.

Well, I am getting better -- the side effects are subsiding -- the dizzy feeling is still there in the morning, but its getting less and less intense.

No other side effects, I am thankful to God for that.

Rgds, DK

[budndallastx]

DK -
Glad to hear it.

The Dizzy feeling subsided with me and I discovered a good cup of Java helped out in the AM. 

Keep us posted.
Tom

[red_Dragon888]

My first day was terrible.  I was drugged out and felt terrible.  I just hoped that it wont be like that for the rest of my life.  Luckily, that drugged out feeling went was after the first day. 

[Esquare]

I wish their was a sleep aid that could offset the dreams. Usually mine are vivid and a non-factor but every few weeks I get a vivid nightmare type of dream. Twice I've woke my wife freaked out.

[antibody]

i switched my sleeping pill from Trazodone to Restoril about a month ago and i haven't really remembered my dreams since. i've been getting at least a full 8 hours since. So ask for Restoril hopefully it will work as good for you. i take the 15mg dose and have been sleeping like a baby. when i was taking 100mg of Trazodone i would wake up every 20 mintues and the dreams ran through my head all night. i still wake up with the sustiva hangover but it's not near as bad as the lack of sleep. so good luck.....RESTORIL to the RESCUE!!!

[RichieRich]

I have been on Atripla for almost a year now.  Before that I was on Sustiva and Truvada.  Had the same vivid, wild dreams, that seemed to wear me out throughout the night.  Seemed like I dreamed all night long with very wild and emotionally draining type dreams.

I took it upon myself to try a few things out and found that by taking over the counter Motrin before I took my Atripla, or about an hour before, made the dreams dissapear and the nights become very peacefull.

My Doctor kept telling me they would go away after a while, and never did.  No other side effects for me.

One night this week I just decided not to take the motrin with the Atripla, and sure thing I was dreaming again.

So experiment and see what works for you.

[antibody]

maybe the motrin has a placebo effect. i need heavy sedatives to keep me sleeping through the night.