Memory loss

[2blessed]

I've been on atripla maybe three months? And I'm doing great except I lose my train of thought sometimes and this never used to happen mind you I'm only 22..I'm kind of confused and scared because my grandfather is showing signs if dementia right now and idk I'm afraid I'm going to get to that point

[Jeff G]

I've been on atripla maybe three months? And I'm doing great except I lose my train of thought sometimes and this never used to happen mind you I'm only 22..I'm kind of confused and scared because my grandfather is showing signs if dementia right now and idk I'm afraid I'm going to get to that point

Hi Blessed , I don't think you have to worry about dementia at 22 but your concerns about Atripla and CNS issue's is a valid one ... I was having issues with Atripla and after talking to my doctor about it and ruling other things out we changed my meds and it was almost instant relief .

Check out this thread http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=47901.0

[2blessed]

Hi Blessed , I don't think you have to worry about dementia at 22 but your concerns about Atripla and CNS issue's is a valid one ... I was having issues with Atripla and after talking to my doctor about it and ruling other things out we changed my meds and it was almost instant relief .

Check out this thread http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=47901.0

Thanks I just kinda lose track every now and then but eventually I remember what I was doing/saying but I'm not wanting it to go worst because school starts in the fall and I don't want this holding me back

[jkinatl2]

Thanks I just kinda lose track every now and then but eventually I remember what I was doing/saying but I'm not wanting it to go worst because school starts in the fall and I don't want this holding me back

TALK to your doctor. It's no problem to switch your meds, and you will be thankful for it.

[tednlou2]

Definitely discuss it with your doc, as it could be med related. 

Having said that, I do think we sometimes notice normal things that others would not give a thought to.  I know I will lose my train of thought, or my words will come out scrambled.  Or, someone will say something, and then I will repeat it.  For example, my friend recently said he was hungry and we should go eat at a certain restaurant.  A few minutes later I asked if he was hungry and where he wanted to eat.  I will often wonder whether it is something that happens to everyone, or whether it is virus related.  I do think that happens to everyone, especially if you are busy or have a lot on your mind.  But, if you feel this is something definitely new and more than just the normal distracted mind, I would discuss it with your doc. 

[buginme2]

You are not losing your mind.  The same thing happened with me.

ATRIPLA!!!!

[mitch777]

You are not losing your mind.  The same thing happened with me.

ATRIPLA!!!!

ditto.

[oksikoko]

Hey, people who know things. Is it just the Sustiva that's thought to be responsible or is any blame thrown on the Truvada part?

In my case, it could be any number of things, but I've been noticing this lately too. I stop mid-sentence and can't remember what I was talking about. No efavirenz here, but 'yes' on emtricitabine and tenofovir.

Just curious. I doubt ARVs are my problem.

[Jmarksto]

Hey, people who know things. Is it just the Sustiva that's thought to be responsible or is any blame thrown on the Truvada part?

I have minor "Atripla" symptoms with Complera, which has emtricitabine and tenofovir -- I suspect there is something to this.

[buginme2]

Hey, people who know things. Is it just the Sustiva that's thought to be responsible or is any blame thrown on the Truvada part?

In my case, it could be any number of things, but I've been noticing this lately too. I stop mid-sentence and can't remember what I was talking about. No efavirenz here, but 'yes' on emtricitabine and tenofovir.

Just curious. I doubt ARVs are my problem.

Complicated. HIV itself (treated or untreated) can get in your brain and cause damage on its own.  There are a lot of unknowns about this.  Some people recommend arvs that penetrate into the brain.  However, I don't think it's ever been proved that one particular arv is better or worse of in preventing HIV related dementia or memory issues.

Atripla does penetrate into the brain (hence its crazy effects) so it's half dozen of one 6 of the other.

[mitch777]

I've found the Sustiva was a major factor in my ability to have a certain aspect of thought clarity. Hard to even know how to describe it.
I switched to Truvada and Isentress, so the Truvada part remains.
Huge difference for the good in any case.

As Bugs said, the virus itself remains active in the brain.
I honestly believe the combination of meds and hiv have done permanent brain damage to me over the span of over 30 years.
Much tougher struggle with cognitive function for me in the past 5-7 years.
Just my experience.

ps- if Truvada also plays a role, maybe if I dumped that for another med I would become a rocket scientist.      

[Miss Philicia]

Is that why you haven't mastered the art of word wrap for text display?

[OneTampa]

Let me tell y'all a little story about my recent trip down Memory Lane and the goings on that tried to distract me from my destination.

I ask your indulgence as I recount the following.

As you may know, I have been on Sustiva--at a low dose of 400 mg--since the late 1990s. I have tolerated it generally well enough and am quite aware of the rather unpleasant side effects as many others have stated and experienced.  I have not noticed any cognitive decline or memory loss--thus far.

Well, my brain skills were put to a high stakes test this past week when I went to a recent job interview for a full time permanent job in my professional field. Previously, I had taken an online pre-screening assessment and apparently was successful enough to be selected to come in for a first round interview. The vibe was good when I got there and I connected with the folk on the interviewing panel. 

As the interview progressed, it went into something like an adaptive testing mode moving from questions with one point of inquiry to 3 part questions (from which they read) that suggested nuanced variable responses. I had not encountered multi-part interview questions of late.

I smiled and thought to myself, "No they didn't!" Well, this seasoned guy worked their last nerve and responded in kind obviously from my knowledge of self and then said something to the effect "As you can see from my resume, page 2 at the 3rd bullet under position so and so, I did so and so." 

As my mother would say, "With the look on their faces, you could have bought the lot for a penny!"   "Try to match clever, will ya?" 

At the end of the interview, we all had a good laugh.  Even the HR person quipped to one of the guys on the panel something to the effect, "Fred, I believe you have met your match and more."  SNAP! (my emphasis)

They will complete the first round candidate vetting process the end of the coming week and inform those selected for round 2 interviews by June 25.

In the meantime, I got 2 more consulting projects in my inbox this evening. What an additional and wonderful Father's Day present!   

Onward and upward!   

[Ann]

I have minor "Atripla" symptoms with Complera, which has emtricitabine and tenofovir -- I suspect there is something to this.

Ah, but Complera also contains Edurant (rilpivirine), which is in the same class of meds as Sustiva (NNTRI).

It shares some of the possible side effects with Sustiva such as:

Edurant can cause depression or mood changes. Be sure to contact your health care provider immediately if you are feeling said or hopeless, feeling anxious or restless, or have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself.

Common side effects of Edurant include trouble sleeping (insomnia), headache and rash. source

I'd be more inclined to wonder if your 'minor "Atripla" symptoms' are due to the Edurant rather than the emtricitabine and/or tenofovir.

[Jmarksto]

I'd be more inclined to wonder if your 'minor "Atripla" symptoms' are due to the Edurant rather than the emtricitabine and/or tenofovir.

Thanks Ann, I have spoken with my Doc and he is more than willing to switch if I need to but like I say, the symptoms seem minor enough for now.

[2blessed]

Thanks for all the great responses I actually had my first 3 month checkup today and I spoke with my doctor about it and what I could do as far as like any type of supplements cuz I've always heard that fish oil is good for memory and I was just wondering if I should try it and she said it won't hurt to try it

[RapidRod]

 Oh the old, why did come in this room? What was I doing? Oh boy, do it all the time. First I blamed my medication until I talked to all my friends and they do the same thing and aren't on ARVs nor are they HIV positive. I've discussed it with my ID doctor and she says I'm to active, not so much physical but mentally. Other than making you frustrated there's no harm.