Experience with Atripla and time it takes

[Sebastian1969]

I am not the world's most patiant person and would like any feedback anyone can give on Atripla and how long it takes to "kick in".  My boyfriend has been on it a week now--I know tht is not a long time at all, he has experienced a lot of fatigue, we think some is related to the Atripla and some to other life circumstances.  His VL is 200K and his CD is 106.
If I understand correctly the Vl will go down first and once down the Cd count will go up.
I want to know what the typical time frame is for him to start feeling the possitive effects of the treatment, he had more energy two weeks ago than he does now, but I think that could be from the mental toll going on meds has on him and just the fact that it takes a while to kick in.  He is also on a very strong antibiotic to prevent the possibility of phemonia.
I want to know if there is anything I should keep an eye out for, and suggestions from those of you out there on what I can do to help and be of comfort.  Being HIV possitive has never afected our relationship, intimacy, or our lifestyle.  It is hard for me to see a man who had so much energy have so little energy now. 

[mecch]

Was it a long slow decline to the current numbers, over years?
Does he have OIs now?

I can only respond really to one aspect - attitude. Perhaps a change in attitude will lift his spirits, while also waiting for his body to heal.  
This:  what's so depressing about going on meds, when your health is declining? Why the fear?  Why the anxiety.  Why is it "heavy"?  
I experienced it as a great burden off my shoulders. I felt massaged and rested the next day.  You know HAART cuts the viral load down by logs, exponentially. Huge drops, it goes quickly down.  Isn't that reason for a glass of champagne and a fresh outlook on the future?

I hope he heals soon and his energy comes back.

[Sebastian1969]

what are OIs?
he is 100 times better today than the past few days, attitude is good, and mine is to.  It was great to hear the doctor tell him there is no reason he can't live to be 100,  just have to manage what he's got.
he tested positive in the mid 90's and this is the first he has gone on meds

[mecch]

OI - opportunistic infections, which occur at low CD4 counts.

glad to hear he feels so good. As I said, remember, the virus is decimated already.

The doctor just told him that?   Its really important to hear that from a doctor. 

[Sebastian1969]

yeah, he has been my doctor for the past 12 years and my bf's since he moved here 7 years ago, great guy, and very much on top of HIV and the treatments, he is well known in the area for the treatment he does with HIV.  I chose him as a Dr because I was more comfortable going to a dr who could I could be honest with and feel comfortable with as a gay man.
He had a sore on the side of his mouth--I can not remember what they called it, it is gone now--after a week of the antibiotics and start of treatment,up until then the dr was unaware of his status.  He did not disclose it until now because did not want it in his records because of insurance and all that stuff.