here we go....

[ruralguy]

So I got my second blood results yesterday.  My cd4 went up a bit from 300 to 350.  But, at age 56 that is still in the start meds zone.  I'm going to wait 10 days or so to get past a couple of important things (like meeting my step son's future father in law!) but then I'll dive in.

I'm going to try atripla.  The other 2 things we discussed were insentress/truvada, truvada/reyataz/norivr.  The issue with insentress is 2x a day and lack of longer term side effects data.  The issue with the other is that I wanted to avoid PI's and boosters as they seem particularly nasty, but it is a 3 pill once a day deal.

I've read al the threads here on atripla so I have a good idea what to watch out for.  And my partner will keep an eye on me for any truly odd behavior.

My emotional crash is mostly over now.  Diagnosed in late June, now I only really seem to get into a bad funk when I have to deal with getting blood drawn, seeing the doc, etc.  I can tell this will pass.  So the next challange is meds.  Thanks for these boards guys,  They help in enormously in my rural isolation from other hiv people. 

[aztecan]

Hey Ruralguy,

I just want to wish you good luck with your new venture into the world of meds.

I am on Isentress and Truvada at this time, with no side effects to report.

I took Crixivan for a long time, starting before any long-term side effects were known, so I know what you mean about not knowing what the long term will hold.

I hope the Atripla does well for you. Keep us posted on how it goes.

HUGS,

Mark

[weasel]

Hi RuralGuy  ,

                               You will find great info here !

   I also live in a teeny town   (57)  people !

 Sometimes it gets  hard not to have an HIV  pos person just to gab with !

  I hope that you will ajust well !

This is a good place to let it out ..................................

                                   be well ,  Carl

P.S. took me two years to feel like a normal person again !
      I now just take each day , and suck it up !

[webontheweb]

hey ruralguy,  you are going to be okay!   Most everybody in here is on Atripla.  You will be fine.  We are here as your new friends and don't forget that!   With the internet no one has to be alone anymore.
Cheers buddy!

[risred1]

Best of luck on a well establish market leading treatment!

Just want to catch you up on PI's.

The newer PI's such as Reyataz and Presista don't seem to have the same side effect profile of Kaletra, which is often still what the newer PI's were compared against for performance and durability.

I'm on the Reyataz, Novir and Truvada combo and have few issues to report for the last 4 months.

At some point you may need to switch to a PI regimen, so I just wanted to share that PI's have improved and are still chosen by many like myself who want a preferred 1x per day, morning dosing option.

[tommy246]

Im no expert but have read on other posts that there are no lipid side effects with issentress and slightly less general side effects compared to atripla whilst giving the same performance in hiv control,this would be my first choice but is not yet available here in spain .
Anyone any idea how long it takes for newly approved drugs once approved in the states (like isentress (JULY 09 i think) to become available in western europe. ?

[markaj]

Hey Ruralguy I've been on all those meds.  I personally didn't get on with Truvada/Sustiva or Atripla in one pill, that's not to say you won't. 

Like Mark I'm on Truvada and Isentress and haven't had any side effects.  I got on fine with Reyataz before that.  Do let us know how you get on.

Tommy246 Isentress is approved across Europe for treatment experienced patients with multiple resistance issues at the moment.

Mark

[BM]

Hey. Ruralguy.

My regimen comprises Viread (one of the components of Truvada), Isentress and Reyataz with booster. Reyataz doesn't have the same cholesterol problems associated with other PIs; indeed, my cholesterol fell after I started it and is currently 3mmol/L (116mg/dL). The only Reyataz-specific side-effect is a mild yellowing of the skin and eyes but not everyone gets this. If once daily dosing is important to you then I would highly recommend Truvada and Reyataz with booster, mainly because it's a combination that doesn't have the CNS issues associated with Atripla, which could be problematic if you're feeling down at all.

[ruralguy]

So I started atripla last night.  I took it about 90 minutes after a light dinner.  I had lots of dreams .... felt like a busy night .... but none scary in any way.  This morning I feel slightly light-headed but not badly so and it will pass.  So far so good. 

[AboutToStart]

Good luck!! Been there done that.. try keeping longer seperation from meals is all I can say (3hrs work better for me..).

[ruralguy]

On day three now.  I wake a bit groggy and I get really tired late in the afternoon.  My sleep is uneven and I don't sleep through the night.  But otherwise hanging in there.  Nothing to complain about really.

Oh and some really silly dreams.....

Dave

[ruralguy]

Ok so now I've been on this a week.  I still wake up feeling like I have a hangover, with a headache, but in 2-3 hours this typicially goes awy.  The continuing issues are gas (gas x does stop this) and some diarreha but this doesn't seem to last either. 

I haven't missed a does but I'm now sure that morning drugs would work better than evening.  My moring routine is much more stable and regular than my evening routine.  Nighttime dosing makes me worry about going out in the evening to do things with friends.  What is the experience of people who take Atripla in the morning?

I'm not depressed by it as far as I can tell, but my general demeanor is way more low key.  General energy level is ok.  I've stuck with the gym and just yesterday went running again which felt good but really tuckered me out. 

I guess this week I get a rash at some point.  Ugh, I so wish i didn't have to do this......

[AboutToStart]

it will get better, the groggyness, weakness, lack of energy.. it all seem like far history to me now (and I only been on it a couple of months..). Rash?? Nah.. don't bank on getting it. I didn't.
As for the low motivation - try to think on the GOOD things that are happening inside your body right now.. You're retaking control of your body that was hijacked by this virus.. when you get your new first lab work you will feel a winner. Good luck!!

[ruralguy]

So here I am at day 10 of Atripla and doing quite well.

The morning groggyness is largely gone.  Some gas but not a big deal.  My energy is coming back.  No rash.  Only occassional sleep issues.  No bad dreams and an occassional fun one.  My exercise routine is getting back to be regular.  I'm approaching near-normal again.  Not much to complain about given the experience of others there.  I even those big early morning erections once in a while.

Hopefully, nothing comes now.  Then the proof is in a few weeks when I get some new blood work data. 

Thanks guys for your continuing support and encouragement.  It means a lot.