Author Topic: Starting Complera tomorrow.... (Read 10389 times)

MoMorrison · « **on:** April 03, 2012, 03:20:51 pm »

Hey there everyone. I know that there are a lot of threads like this one so forgive me if it all seems repetitious. I officially start my regimen tomorrow. I have been taking bactrim since last Wednesday (3/28/12). I was advised by my doctor to take the bactrim first and wanted to see if I would have a bad reaction to it. Much praises to God, that I have not had a bad reaction to it. I am praying the same goes for the complera. I am nervous and I am hoping for some encouraging words from the lovely people on this support forum. I was also wondering if anyone out there taking bactrim takes it at the same time with their regimen? I know that my doctor said they were ok to take together, I just didn't ask if I should take them both at the same time with a meal. Anyone have advice on that? Many thanks!

forrest · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2012, 09:40:58 pm »

Awesome man! Hope all goes well on Complera! That is what I am going to start on too when I do. Great to see you starting

Good luck and definitely let us know how it goes. Nice job!

MoMorrison · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2012, 01:02:50 pm »

Overwhelming response! : /

Thanks forrest. I haven't yet taken the pill. Don't know if I can muster the courage to. We'll see what happens....

geobee · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2012, 01:31:34 pm »

I'm not on Complera, I'm on Reyataz/Truvada/Norvir.

Starting the regimen for me was the hardest part -- I couldn't escape the reality of taking meds forever [sigh]. But...once you start it gets a lot easier. And it's comforting to know that you're taking steps to maintain your health.

You can do it. No time like today!

MoMorrison · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2012, 02:22:39 pm »

Thank you for your response, geobee.

I have yet to take the complera. I did however, call the nurselink line for my clinic. I asked if I should take my bactrim and complera together and she said that would be fine. She also said it's totally up to me if I want to give it a window between the two pills. I told her that I would probably be taking the bactrim during the day and take the complera with dinner. So hopefully I will gain some courage by dinner time. I'm still a bit nervous...

tealeaf · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2012, 05:42:56 pm »

You'd better wear diaper or sit on the toilet just in case you start the runs.... NOT

Just teasing you

I'm also taking it and nothing happened accept for a little dizziness on the first night for about 15 minutes, like you're sitting on a boat. The next day was no event.

You can do it. If you have a smart phone, try the Med Helper app, it has reminder, confirmation that you have taken the pill, log and other good stuff to keep the schedule for you.

MoMorrison · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2012, 06:32:45 pm »

Oh my tealeaf! LOL. You almost had me there. Well thanks for the advice and it's getting nearer and nearer to dinner time and I think that I am going to bite the bullet and take it. I'm just praying for no side effects or none that I can't handle. I hope I can sleep also because I have to go see my counselor tomorrow morning. I will keep everyone updated.

forrest · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2012, 09:42:18 pm »

So... MoMo.... did you take it? It's been 3 hours... did you have it for dessert? :p

MoMorrison · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2012, 09:44:15 pm »

Hey forrest. I just took it not even 5 minutes ago with dinner. I was so nervous, but I prayed about it and I know that it's the right thing to do. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks for asking.

forrest · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2012, 09:58:21 pm »

Awesome man!! Wow. It must feel weird... that's awesome you started though!! Will be curious if you feel any dizziness like Tealeaf. OR anything else... I realize we are all different and it affects us all differently... so, with that in mind... better get that diaper on or go sit on the toilet!!!

Glad to hear you took it though (seriously) - I am sure your body will thank you as well

MoMorrison · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2012, 12:22:50 pm »

Well, I made it through my first night of complera. I am so glad to report that I had NO side effects. I pray that it stays that way as well! Of course, I will keep everyone posted as the days go by.

tealeaf · « **Reply #11 on:** April 05, 2012, 02:55:45 pm »

Sweet. That's awesome. Hopefully you still have receipt for those diapers.

MoMorrison · « **Reply #12 on:** April 05, 2012, 04:38:35 pm »

lol @ tealeaf. No, I'm actually gonna keep the diapers. You never know. Better safe than sorry. :-P Round two tonight with dinner. Faith bigger than fear!

forrest · « **Reply #13 on:** April 05, 2012, 11:50:16 pm »

Very cool that you didn't have side affects!!

It's encouraging to hear that!! Thanks for the update!

MoMorrison · « **Reply #14 on:** April 06, 2012, 01:15:43 pm »

Faith over Fear!!! I made it through my second day of complera smoothly! Thank you, Jesus! I am glad that my body is taking to this medication so well. Thank you everyone.

forrest · « **Reply #15 on:** April 06, 2012, 08:26:00 pm »

Awesome! Just like taking an aspirin huh?

RapidRod · « **Reply #16 on:** April 06, 2012, 09:39:50 pm »

I've been on Complera a couple weeks now, no side effects was on Atripla since it came on market and I'm so thankful I switched.

MoMorrison · « **Reply #17 on:** April 07, 2012, 04:33:51 pm »

@forrest - something like taking an asprin.

I have been taking my complera at night with dinner and tonight will be my fourth night. The one thing that I have noticed is a mild nausea during the day. I'm not gonna let it scare me off though. FAITH over FEAR! I'm also on bactrim but I don't think the mild nausea is coming from that because I was on bactrim for a week before starting complera. I know it will subside and I can't wait until it does because other than that I am feeling just peachy! Just a little update.

MoMorrison · « **Reply #18 on:** April 11, 2012, 03:46:35 pm »

Hey everyone. I have been on Complera for one week now. Noticeable side effects are mild nausea. I also started to develop a very mild rash. I say very mild because I notice it, but if I didn't point it out to anyone then you probably wouldn't even notice it. I am 90 % sure that this rash is due to the complera. I have also been on bactrim for two weeks now. I do, at times, suffer from anxiety. One of my main (if not the main) symptoms of anxiety was "air hunger". The sensation that I can't get a deep enough breath. When that hits it causes more anxiety! The air hunger has been there even before I started meds, but I can't help but wonder if somehow the meds I am on are exacerbating the air hunger. I have an appointment with my counselor tomorrow at the same clinic that I get treated for HIV. I am going to ask to see my doctor without an appointment and ask if perhaps the medication is causing breathing troubles or if my anxiety is just getting the best of me. Other than that I feel like I would be peachy keen if I could just get that good breath in instead of having to yawn constantly to get a satisfying breath. I just want it to go away! :-/

justinslyriq · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2012, 08:06:44 pm »

I just took my first pill an hour ago and no side effects yet. Wish u the best!

Hellraiser · « **Reply #20 on:** April 24, 2012, 08:08:23 pm »

I'll be starting Complera on friday if everything goes to play. Hopefully it will rid me of some of the problems I've been having with Atripla. I may just be trading the devil I know for the one that I don't however.

wylidas · « **Reply #21 on:** April 24, 2012, 08:41:22 pm »

MoMOrrison- How is it coming? No update from you since April 11. Hope it's still going great! I am on Day 3 of Complera. I started it Sunday. So far so good. Sleeping amazingly well and the only thing I have noticed so far is some mild nausea and dizziness, and my lower back aching a little. It seems to also be causing weird discomfort in my groin, but it's not a really bad pain. More like a dull ache that comes and goes.

Hellraiser- You should really love it compared to Atripla. I switched over from Epzicom/Reyataz/Norvir, but I took Atripla for a month back in 2006 and I had the insane dreams and nightmares as well as all kinds of anxiety on it and it all started the first night. With Complera = nothing like that. Not even a blip. I sleep like a baby.

MoMorrison · « **Reply #22 on:** April 24, 2012, 09:28:22 pm »

wylidas - I've been sharing little updates here and there on other poster's "complera threads". Since someone bumped my original thread I can post a quick update.

I have been on complera for 21 days now. The only side effects I can report were the mild nausea and very faint rash which have both subsided. I did suffer from pre existing anxiety and have for about 9 months now. I think that perhaps the complera may be adding to the anxiety as I get episodes every now and again. I was prescribed ativan for the anxiety and it has been a help to me, but I do not want to get hooked on the thing, whatsoever. I've heard a lot of things about benzos and they aren't good. So that's it pretty much. I feel that if I weren't dealing with anxiety, I'd be pretty peachy keen. Good luck to you all in your journeys. I wish you all the best. Hugs.

forrest · « **Reply #23 on:** April 25, 2012, 12:47:09 am »

Thanks for the update MoMo.

From the sample in this thread, it seems like Complera is definitely has less side affects than Atripla. That's great to see! I know it's different for everybody and there are probably some folks that have not done well on Complera... but you don't see the 'compera diaries" like you do the "atripla diaries"

Hellraiser - have you started yet? How's it going for you?

Certainly encouraging for someone (me) who hasn't started yet. Thanks guys!

spacebarsux · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2012, 03:26:11 am »

Forrest, have you taken a decision about starting meds? What does your doc think?

Sorry for the minor hijack Mo.

Hellraiser · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2012, 09:59:07 am »

Quote from: forrest on April 25, 2012, 12:47:09 am

Thanks for the update MoMo.

From the sample in this thread, it seems like Complera is definitely has less side affects than Atripla. That's great to see! I know it's different for everybody and there are probably some folks that have not done well on Complera... but you don't see the 'compera diaries" like you do the "atripla diaries"

Hellraiser - have you started yet? How's it going for you?

Certainly encouraging for someone (me) who hasn't started yet. Thanks guys!

I start on friday. Every medicine has its downside though. Complera MUST be taken with food and from what I've read seems to leave the system sooner, meaning your dosing must be closer to an exact 24 hours. With atripla I literally don't stress about what time I take it ("before bed" meaning anywhere from 9pm to 6am) and if I skipped a day I wasn't too terribly concerned however with Complera I will bring back the sense of a 24 hour strictly regimented dosing schedule. Where I will set a daily timer to remind me it's time to not only eat something but take my meds as well.

wylidas · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2012, 11:32:00 am »

Hellraiser- Are you sure about the strict adherence guidelines? My doctor actually prescribed this for me because I have adherence issues due to my job. He said that even skipping a day here and there wouldn't affect me so much with Complera. Not that I plan on skipping a day, but I think his point being if I missed it due to something beyond my control that it wouldn't has big impact.

Hmm, just curious if you read that somewhere that it leaves your system faster. I haven't seen that. Love to know more! BTW- small update now that I am on Day 4, I woke up this morning incredibly tired. The kind where I couldn't get out of bed and I am very slowly waking up and getting moving. Hope this fatigue passes, as I read somewhere it's a side effect.

MoMorrison · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2012, 02:05:18 pm »

Hellraiser - I am with wylidas on this one. My doctor also told me that it wasn't like atripla where you had to take it at the same time every day. She told me that as long as I take the complera every day with a meal I would be fine. I really don't have a set schedule, although I try to take it with dinner which I usually have around 8-10pm. I have taken it as early as 5-6 however some days and then go back to my original 8-10 dinner time. My understanding from my doctor was it doesn't matter what time you take it as long as you take one every day.

forrest · « **Reply #28 on:** April 25, 2012, 10:25:26 pm »

@Spacebar - I haven't started yet. I will be getting new labs at the end of May or beginning of June and see where I am at. Will be 3 months already since my last labs. Actually, I think I am mentally prepared now... (for the most part). The idea of not being so fatigued would be great. And, the idea of the different types of cd4's all being depleted (something like that... it was something mecch posted one time and then I reasearched but now can't remember... freaking memory).

I really want to move to a different state and get a new job and it would be much easier to do if I weren't on meds. So, if I can hold off until after the move... although, if that weren't in the equation, I'd probably start now. It's difficult.

@Hellraiser - yeah, as some others have said... if my memory serves me correctly... (use with caution) my doctor said that the half life of Complera was actually longer than Atripla. So, not as time sensitive. However, yeah... the food bit. But I think I'd rather deal with that than many of the side affects you hear about with Atripla from quite a few people. I've been (oh crap... which reminds me...

) trying to take my ... what has always been "bedtime meds" with my meal to prepare myself in taking with dinner... so Complera will just slip in that same mix.

Anyway... mind isn't thinking great tonight.. again... but wanted to reply.

Hellraiser · « **Reply #29 on:** April 26, 2012, 01:54:10 am »

My doctor may have gotten it backwards and I wasn't able to find anything online to support either argument (although my search consisted of me googling atripla v complera and looking for about 30 seconds)

buginme2 · « **Reply #30 on:** April 26, 2012, 03:19:13 am »

Efavirenz has a half life of 40-55 hours

Riplivirine has a half life of 50 hours.

Therefore Atripla and Complera have pretty much the same half life.

Source aids info.nih.gov/drugs

Hellraiser · « **Reply #31 on:** April 27, 2012, 07:51:02 pm »

I'm about to have to skip 2 doses of Atripla back to back. Thanks mail order pharmacy for managing to make an order placed Tuesday take until monday to come in. 'Preciate it!

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #32 on:** April 27, 2012, 08:04:42 pm »

Quote from: Hellraiser on April 27, 2012, 07:51:02 pm

I'm about to have to skip 2 doses of Atripla back to back. Thanks mail order pharmacy for managing to make an order placed Tuesday take until monday to come in. 'Preciate it!

How "early" does the mail order pharmacy allow you to place an order?

Hellraiser · « **Reply #33 on:** April 27, 2012, 08:19:39 pm »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on April 27, 2012, 08:04:42 pm

How "early" does the mail order pharmacy allow you to place an order?

Well this was a new prescription so I literally had it in my hot little hand and placed the order on my drive home from the doctor's office. I'm guessing they can't do same day delivery but they're still trying to verify my insurance. Why this takes HOURS is still beyond me. Make a phone call and ask them if they have me on file, if the answer is yes fill the fucking script. Sorry I've been calling BC/BS, Express Scripts, Curascript, and my doctor's office about three times a day each since Tuesday and I'm a little frustrated with the bureaucracy of all this. Especially since Curascript the mail order pharmacy assured me that I would have the prescription by Friday (when I would take my last Atripla pill). It's now friday and I haven't even paid the copay yet.

forrest · « **Reply #34 on:** April 27, 2012, 10:00:12 pm »

That just sucks Hellraiser. Can't the freaking doctors office give you two pills to tie you over?

In part of me getting comfortable with even starting meds, etc. I was asking my doctor about what if this... what if that... he said that, for example, I lost my job or something, or there was a gap, that they have the ability to get me my meds so not to worry about that. They have a fund from people who have donated money, etc. and they use that for situations like you are in. It's friday night... so not sure if it's too late

Not sure if you had tried... man, i hope you can get some meds!! That is exactly what I fear!!

Hellraiser · « **Reply #35 on:** April 27, 2012, 10:16:53 pm »

Quote from: forrest on April 27, 2012, 10:00:12 pm

That just sucks Hellraiser. Can't the freaking doctors office give you two pills to tie you over? In part of me getting comfortable with even starting meds, etc. I was asking my doctor about what if this... what if that... he said that, for example, I lost my job or something, or there was a gap, that they have the ability to get me my meds so not to worry about that. They have a fund from people who have donated money, etc. and they use that for situations like you are in. It's friday night... so not sure if it's too late Not sure if you had tried... man, i hope you can get some meds!! That is exactly what I fear!!

Normally I stockpile meds, but in this scenario I had quit my previous job and then once my stockpile ran out some people from these forums helped me out. I had gotten a one month script for Atripla and then swapped to Complera and just hadn't had a chance to rebuild my stockpile, normally I keep 2-3 months worth on h and.

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Author Topic: Starting Complera tomorrow.... (Read 10389 times)