I'm having trouble sleeping and on Atripla!

[northrock]

Would love input from others out there with the same problem.  I've been on Atripla for 10 months and doing very well with the drug.  My biggest problem now is that I can't sleep as well and when I do sleep it is the most UNRESTFUL sleep.  My doctor has suggested taking Tylenol PM at night but I'm just not comfortable taking that every night in order to sleep.  Any suggestions?

[Hellraiser]

I take 50mg Benedryl along with it, but some people take their dose in the morning, others change regimens because of this very problem.  Sleep is so vital though you can't just ignore a problem that hinders it or your quality of life will suffer.

[dixieman]

smoke weed! if it does not work? it can't hurt! ... after a few hits from my pipe I'm off to wonderland... a restful sleep...

[red_Dragon888]

Your body may need adjusting to it.  The one problem I had was restless nights because of vivid dreams, but eventually that went away. 

[northrock]

Adjust?  It's been 10 months.  I would have thought that by now it would be better.  Oh well I guess i have to just accept my fate!

[Matty the Damned]

Adjust?  It's been 10 months.  I would have thought that by now it would be better.  Oh well I guess i have to just accept my fate!

If the sleeplessness is too much to handle then there are other combinations available. None of them are in a single pill form, but there are a couple which allow for once a day dosing.

MtD

[David_CA]

I take 50mg Benedryl along with it, but some people take their dose in the morning, others change regimens because of this very problem.  Sleep is so vital though you can't just ignore a problem that hinders it or your quality of life will suffer.

I'm one of those who take Atripla in the morning.  I started by accident after I fell asleep on the couch one night when I was taking Atripla before bed.  I woke up in a slight panic over missing a dose, but felt so rested, and went ahead and took the missed Atripla.  That was sometime in early-mid '07 I believe.  Anyway, I do feel a bit groggy at first, but it's not too bad.  What seems to help a lot is a before-work workout at the gym and a large cup of coffee afterwards.  The restful sleep I get is worth it.  Morning dosing may not work for you, but it might be worth a try before your sleep issues get so bad that you switch meds.  Remember, you'd need time to get used to it... just like you did for nightime dosing. 

[justus35]

i have had the  same issues ,and I have only been on Atripla 7 days ,I switched to taking in the am , I had no side effects I take it at 7a,and i dont eat or drink anything till after 11a,and its all good I did have a choc chip cookie today ,and was dizzy for about 3o mins but I was nothing, I too cudnt sleep at nite ,I really had no side effects but I guess not sleeping was one ,and I am one that requires sleep and it must be restful and uninterupted , so maybe am wud work for you ...best of luck

[NewYorkKat]

I find Atripla to  put me to sleep! Maybe working out in the gym can help? I work out in the gym, take my Atripla around 10ish and i am asleep by 11pm.

Do you work out?

[GNYC09]

My first recommendation would be to do a search on these boards - this issue has been discussed quite a few times and I think you'll dig up some great advice.  You'll probably run into a post or two from me recommending Ambien, which is non-addictive and, IMHO, great.
Good luck! 

[jkinatl2]

I have yet to find a sleep aid that works consistently. I do not take Atripla (the main ingredient made me batshit) but I do take Isentress, which is also known for causing sleep issues. I find that alternating therapies really helps. Benadryl one night, Klonopin the next, an over the counter sleep aid like Tylenol PM, etc.

One thing that does not work is drinking. Do not recommend for sleep.

[alliance]

I have the sleeplessness sometimes. But time flies while I am aware of whats going on. Its not often enough or severe enough where it affects my daytime life.  I have always believed, even before the atripla, that if I cant sleep Im just not tired enough. Getting up and having a few beers has helped occasionally as well.
Good luck and let us know how youre doing!

[skeebo1969]

  The moment I began taking Atripla I started having sleep issues.  I tried Tylenol PM, which for some reason wires me out.  My ID doctor prescribed me tramadol (sp?) while telling me it was nonaddictive.  Within a week the dosage wasn't working and he wanted to raise it.  I decided against it.  

  I don't know if the sleep deprivation aided  my slide into depression.  I am sure it helped if anything.  I stopped taking Atripla in January.  I've read others here who had to do the same.  It took me well over 4 months till I really noticed a difference.  In terms of sleep though, that changed within a week.

  I hope you find something that helps.. Atripla kicks ass against the virus, but I couldn't handle it.

[ruralguy]

Consider moving your dose to the morning.  I did and it is much better.

[randym431]

I work nights so I really have sleeping issues. I think its the sustiva in the med that causes sleep issues? I tried Tylenol PM, and benadryl but they work only so so. Not reliable. And linger on so you feel like a zombie later. I finally had enough and told the doc I needed something. He gave me ambien (the generic) and it worked for a few weeks then really screwed me up. Ambien is great for putting you totally out within 20 minutes. Totally!!! But after 4 hours I'd wake up with a caffeine high feeling. And on the days I did not take it, I could not sleep at all. I then read about ambien CR (time release) and asked to try that. They have no generic for the CR version of ambien so it costs a lot, even with co-pays.

You can download a 5-month $20 off your co-pay coupon from their website. That saves you $20 each time for 5 refills (5 months). And the CR did allow me to sleep a full 8 hours easy. But after a while, maybe a few weeks, it starts messing with your mind. I became very short tempered. I was barking at everyone over little issues. Acting like a mean drunk would act. Then I went online to google ambien and read all the horror stories. People sleep walking on ambien is common. One lady claimed she took ambien, went to bed, and woke up driving her car 3 states away from home. Another lady claimed she woke to find herself being arrested shopping at Wal-Mart, naked with a shopping cart full of $300 in window coverings. And another lady that woke to find she had beaten her husband with a frying pan, giving him black eyes. Then there are the depressed and suicide claims with taking ambien. All I knew was I was having a personality change that I did not like. So I stopped taking ambient, even though it did let me sleep and not feel like a walking zombie later, like Tylenol PM did. 

Lately someone told me to try advil PM. I did and so far it has been helping somewhat. But I’m starting to feel that lingering after effect when at work. Now I know why Michel Jackson needed to be medically put out to get sleep. I really understand how he got to that point. I just run a computer on nights. Michael had to perform in front of 1-million cheering fans, then come down afterwards to a calm state so he could fall asleep. Probably impossible to do without a strong surgical anesthetic. I feel I know exactly what he went thru and he no doubt found a doctor willing to give him what he needed, for a price. Sleeping issues can become a nightmare for anyone…

[red_Dragon888]

Try either taking Atripla a bit early like a few hours before going to bed or just after waking up.  Which ever works best.

[tokyodecadence]

I had the same problem, I switched to taking it in the morning. I only feel a tad groggy as well, and most importantly, I can sleep easy at night.

[azprince]

I switched it to the morning and while I feel tired and sleepy around noon sometimes because of that , as some said coffee  will help a lot
at least no dreams at night and I sleep as much as I want and I can take it in the morning and forget about it rather than wait for my night date with it   I guess psychologically it makes me feel better

Good luck and let us know how it works

[MitchMiller]

Seems many can tolerate it in the morning... but just a warning before you try it.  I did and it was horrible.  I absolutely was completely useless at work until after lunch.  Try it on the weekend, assuming you work regular hours.  
You might try it on a completely empty stomach.  When I do, in an hour I feel absolutely terrible and my body seems to rush to sleep to escape the feeling... except I usually wake up 3 or 4 hours later and often have trouble falling asleep.  So usually I just take it after a meal and deal with the restless sleep (I usually eat around 9:30 - 10pm).  In fact I should be asleep now!
I've just gotten used to sleeping less... and really appreciate long mornings in bed on the weekends.
Instead of sleeping pills, try melatonin and/or a couple aspirin first.  I think Aspirin helps me sleep more soundly without side-effects... just don't do it too often because it's hard on the stomach.

[PJC0510]

I have been only getting 6-7 hours of sleep a night (mostly 6) and I am fine with that. It allows me to enjoy more of the day.... In the event I do wish to sleep longer Advil PM works well for me, my friend likes to take a hit or two of some canibas and that helps him.

[mecch]

My suggestion is that sleep is more important than respecting hesitations about sleep-inducing drugs. You should try a sleeping pill. It helped me and eventually I didnt need it anymore since my body just got used to sleeping, I guess.

[northrock]

Thanks for all of the posts - several posts on here make sense.  I've been trying Tylenol PM maybe 1 or 2 a week and it seems to refresh my sleep deprivation.  I think I'll see how that regimen goes for awhile and if I start to see strange objects floating in the air then I'll know somethings wrong  .  Thanks again for all of the advice.  I really appreciate everyone's help in this process of adjusting to living with this disease every day.   

[Bikerbear48]

Wharch,
Wes here down in San Diego, beautiful day here...hey as far as sleeping on Atripla, or any HIV regimin that you choose that works for you, taking Tylenol can be very dangerous to your liver counts. I have been + for 27 years now, and healthy 99.5% of the entie time other than something crazy I eat from time to time that reacts weird with me. If you want something that doesnt affect your liver badly and also be sure and take your Atripla on an empty, or 2-3 hrs after you eat, like at 9 pm every night, you should have a lot less issues. However...I myself have had sleeping problems for years, and excercise is definitely the key and a good diet, cut the sugar and the carbs to almost nothing eat a high protien, low fat diet. Make sure you eat 6 times a day 3 meals and 2 snacks minumum. Stay awy from popcorn at the theatre! Its loaded with carbs, and tons of real butter, if you choose to do that.The seeds can make a weird reaction to your medication! Eat lots of fresh fruit in between meals just watch the intake though. Atripla has a reputation for weight gain to happen. Try these things and side effects of the drug will dissipate over time. As far as the dreams, LOL Its the sustiva thats in the drug, actually their pretty cool sometimes! heheheh...Another drug you can try is Ambien CR if you have insurance you can obtain this. If not, you can get your doctor to write you a perscription for the regular Ambien, and you can purchase a 30 day supply at costco for 12.00 Take this 15 minutes before you go to bed, it does help, if you get 5-6hrs of sleep every day, your doing good! Excercise and eat right, you will sleep a lot better.
Cheers
Wes


quote author=wharch link=topic=32410.msg399499#msg399499 date=1272999707]
Thanks for all of the posts - several posts on here make sense.  I've been trying Tylenol PM maybe 1 or 2 a week and it seems to refresh my sleep deprivation.  I think I'll see how that regimen goes for awhile and if I start to see strange objects floating in the air then I'll know somethings wrong  .  Thanks again for all of the advice.  I really appreciate everyone's help in this process of adjusting to living with this disease every day.   
[/quote]

[Bikerbear48]

Dude, thats fucking crazy! I have never heard any issues like that with the Ambien CR, when I had insurance it worked great, but if you take it every day you build up a tolerance to the drug, and also you can develop certain issues if you have any mental issues as far as agressive behavior, Bi-Polar, Anxiety issues or medications. I have found the less you take and the more natual remedies that you turn to and adjust your diet and excercise habbits, it lessens the side effects of Atripla. Also if taking this drug in the daytime does not effect you...more power to you, I however got so loopy off the Sustiva in that drug, that is definitely not an option! 9PM without fail without food! The protien cells will absorb the drug much faster without something there. And whoever wrote that article about a woman driving to 3 states...I would like to see a link to that!

Wes
San Diego

I work nights so I really have sleeping issues. I think its the sustiva in the med that causes sleep issues? I tried Tylenol PM, and benadryl but they work only so so. Not reliable. And linger on so you feel like a zombie later. I finally had enough and told the doc I needed something. He gave me ambien (the generic) and it worked for a few weeks then really screwed me up. Ambien is great for putting you totally out within 20 minutes. Totally!!! But after 4 hours I'd wake up with a caffeine high feeling. And on the days I did not take it, I could not sleep at all. I then read about ambien CR (time release) and asked to try that. They have no generic for the CR version of ambien so it costs a lot, even with co-pays.

You can download a 5-month $20 off your co-pay coupon from their website. That saves you $20 each time for 5 refills (5 months). And the CR did allow me to sleep a full 8 hours easy. But after a while, maybe a few weeks, it starts messing with your mind. I became very short tempered. I was barking at everyone over little issues. Acting like a mean drunk would act. Then I went online to google ambien and read all the horror stories. People sleep walking on ambien is common. One lady claimed she took ambien, went to bed, and woke up driving her car 3 states away from home. Another lady claimed she woke to find herself being arrested shopping at Wal-Mart, naked with a shopping cart full of $300 in window coverings. And another lady that woke to find she had beaten her husband with a frying pan, giving him black eyes. Then there are the depressed and suicide claims with taking ambien. All I knew was I was having a personality change that I did not like. So I stopped taking ambient, even though it did let me sleep and not feel like a walking zombie later, like Tylenol PM did. 

Lately someone told me to try advil PM. I did and so far it has been helping somewhat. But I’m starting to feel that lingering after effect when at work. Now I know why Michel Jackson needed to be medically put out to get sleep. I really understand how he got to that point. I just run a computer on nights. Michael had to perform in front of 1-million cheering fans, then come down afterwards to a calm state so he could fall asleep. Probably impossible to do without a strong surgical anesthetic. I feel I know exactly what he went thru and he no doubt found a doctor willing to give him what he needed, for a price. Sleeping issues can become a nightmare for anyone…

[nvhorseman]

Atripla Sleep Trouble:  Many, many people on ALL sorts of HIV medications have moderate to severe problems sleeping or staying asleep.  I am on the same drugs (AZT/DDI) that I started on in 1994 but my sleep problems started in 1991, so insomnia may be a part of the HIV infection.  It may well also be a side effect of the medication you are on.  Tylenol PM is a small price to pay if it helps.  Maybe try Advil PM if your doctor says it is ok and treat the inflammation problem of HIV also, while you get sleep relief.  If any of these work great: no new prescriptions needed for more powerful sleeping aids which are very expensive, don't necessarily work in the first or second form you try (the diazepam family) and which you sometimes become addicted to or tolerant to and have to start on a whole new regimen.  Try it, if it doesn't work, try something else.  Believe me, living for years sleep deprived is a whole new kind of hell. 

[Borg3of5]

I didn't start getting insomnia on Atripla until I'd been on it for almost a year.  I tried everything from an over the counter medicine for insomnia plus melatonin, and could not sleep.  The best thing I did was to ask my ID doctor for a prescription to Ambien.  I've been taking Ambien CR and and have slept like a baby.  

It's no big deal to be on prescription sleeping medicine.  I get tested almost every 3-4 months for liver functions, because I'm also on Glucophage (high-blood sugar), Simvastatin (cholesterol), Allegra, and Paxil.

I only take the Atripla right after I get home from work at 5 PM, so around 7:30-8:30 I start feeling loopy from the Sustiva in Atripla.

Don't be afraid of Ambien, or for that matter, any prescription medicine the doctor prescribes.  There's so many people that are afraid of prescriptions for no reason.  My motto is "better living through chemistry".

[rschwass]

Melatonin- cheap, healthy, maybe not for you but worth a try

[Hellraiser]

Melatonin- cheap, healthy, maybe not for you but worth a try

Doesn't melatonin have the problem of once you take it for a long period of time your body stops producing it so you have to keep using it in order to get to sleep at all really?

[mecch]

Get a doctor to prescribe sleep medicine and follow your experience with the sleep medicine. Its not that complicated, really.