Author Topic: Got the pills, just need that "push" (Read 9418 times)

dhivpol · « **on:** March 21, 2010, 07:29:35 pm »

So t-cells are 281 in January. My doctor gave me Atripla (I have two months supply now) and I just havent taken it. I don't have anyone to talk to, etc. Am I going to feel like shit? Etc??? Should I start tonight?

phildinftlaudy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2010, 07:34:26 pm »

Hi dhivpol
I understand ur apprehension - I started Atripla on 12/4/09 and it has been great - last viral load was undetectable and cd4's have went up over 200 points since starting. Only a few vivid dreams - not nightmares - just some nights of strange detailed dreams. A little grogginess on some mornings but nothing severe and that doesn't pass within a few minutes of being awake. I usually take it around 11 at night - sometimes a few minutes earlier and sometimes a few minutes later. I try to take on an empty stomach - but have also taken it shortly after eating. You will do fine. Just open up, put it in your mouth and swallow

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2010, 07:38:39 pm »

Take 'em. If you have problems you can always stop.

MtD

Inchlingblue · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2010, 07:57:37 pm »

Quote from: matty.the.damned on March 21, 2010, 07:38:39 pm

Take 'em. If you have problems you can always stop.

MtD

Stopping Atripla cold turkey especially if a person still has a viral load can lead to NNRTI resistance. It's a better solution to have another combo in mind to fall back on and make a seamless switch from one day to the next. Make sure your doctor is in town so you can reach him/her if necessary.

If you look at all the many Atripla side effects threads on here, in most cases they do get better or completely disappear in a couple of weeks.

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:02:12 pm »

Quote from: Inchlingblue on March 21, 2010, 07:57:37 pm

Stopping Atripla cold turkey especially if a person still has a viral load can lead to NNRTI resistance. It's a better solution to have another combo in mind to fall back on and make a seamless switch from one day to the next. Make sure your doctor is in town so you can reach him/her if necessary.

If you look at all the many Atripla side effects threads on here, in most cases they do get better or completely disappear in a couple of weeks.

I didn't suggest he stop taking them cold turkey. Seriously, chill out Inchiling.

MtD

dhivpol · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:26:28 pm »

Quick question, need replys soon, is around 11pm a good time to take it? Will it be hard for me to wake up? How long should I wait after I eat?

Inchlingblue · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:26:55 pm »

Quote from: matty.the.damned on March 21, 2010, 08:02:12 pm

I didn't suggest he stop taking them cold turkey. Seriously, chill out Inchiling.

MtD

You chill out, biatch.

EDITED TO ADD:

J.R.E. · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:29:30 pm »

Quote from: dhivpol on March 21, 2010, 07:29:35 pm

Am I going to feel like shit? Etc???

No one here can give you an answer to that. However, if you feel in time, that the Sustiva component of Atripla, is something that you can't tolerate, you can switch, under the guidance of your doctor. From the lessons :

Can I switch when side effects are a problem?

Whether you've just started therapy or have been on therapy for several months or years, side effects are a major reason for switching therapies.

If you recently started HIV combination therapy and are experiencing a severe side effect—a few examples include rash and uncontrollable and persistent diarrhea—you can talk with your provider about switching the offending drug for another drug that is similar in potency (strength) and associated with fewer or different side effects.

The same holds true if you've been receiving therapy for a while, have an undetectable viral load, but are experiencing a debilitating long-term side effect. One example is lipodystrophy, a possible side-effect of ARV therapy that can lead to disfiguring body-shape changes, along with increased levels of fats (triglycerides and cholesterol) and sugar (glucose) in the blood. Other examples include progressive liver damage, kidney damage and bone loss.

Because adherence—life-long adherence—is so important, finding a regimen that is easy to take is also important. This can mean reducing not only the number of medications that are being taken, but also the number of pills or the number of times per day that pills must be swallowed. Switching treatments to simplify a regimen is a reasonable strategy, but should be approached with care, especially in a person whose virus is resistant to many of the available drugs.

Good luck---Ray

phildinftlaudy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:29:40 pm »

I take mine at 11 -- I wake up for work at 6 am -- so about 7 hours before I get up --- until u get used to them they suggest not eating 2 hrs ahead of time - but like I said, I have eaten 15 minutes before taking.... they say that sometimes eating can make the side effects more pronounced. U will be fine.

dhivpol · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:31:30 pm »

Well im thinking of taking them at 11 tonight, and then i have work at 1pm, that should be fine right

Rev. Moon · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:32:07 pm »

dhivpool,

please don't think I'm being harsh or mean, but just get started without much fear and/or ceremony. The more you think about it, and the more "what ifs" and "what nots" that you throw in the mix, will only delay a process that is inevitable. It's just a pill, not multiple as it was just a few years ago. You have been around these forums for a little while, so you have seen plenty of threads where people share their experiences with this pill (and, in most cases, the apprehension was greater than the side effects that they had to endure).

So... on an empty stomach, a few minutes before you go to bed (play some relaxing music, don't watch anything too upsetting or spooky on TV, dim the lights, and let your mind go), and without much ado pop that jellybean. It is going to make things better.

As Matty said, if for any reason you find it to be too rough on you then all that you have to do is address a new line of treatment with your doctor.

Best of luck and health.

Da Moon.

phildinftlaudy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:34:54 pm »

yeah, that is plenty of time -- i have taken as late as midnight and woke up okay at 6 (I am always a bit groggy when i wake up, so the effect from Atripla wasn't that intense). reallly, i can only speak for my experience - but it hasn't been bad at all.... I had the fear you have when I first got ready to take it -- I remember being afraid of the side effects - but they never really happened.... I think a lot of it has to do with projection (in some cases) --- 11 pm and u don't have to be to work til 1 --- that is plenty of time. Let us know how it goes

J.R.E. · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:36:24 pm »

Quote from: phildinftlaudy on March 21, 2010, 08:29:40 pm

I take mine at 11 -- I wake up for work at 6 am -- so about 7 hours before I get up --- until u get used to them they suggest not eating 2 hrs ahead of time -

Just to add a little more to this. Dhivpool, you should avoid high fatty content foods before taking the Atripla at nighttime. If your going to have a whopper, large fries and chocolate shake, you may experience a lot more vivid dreams. So, keep the fat content down a few hours before you take it.

Have something healthy... apple, banana, grapes etc.

Ray

dhivpol · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:37:59 pm »

I dunno, im only 21, is pasta good or bad? with like grilled chicken?

phildinftlaudy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:40:58 pm »

I agree with J.R.E. --- I pretty much eat what I want - but the other day I had some super duper chocolate fudge triple ice cream -before i took my pill and the dreams were a lot more intense, lasted longer, and i had a little more trouble getting up in the morning.

phildinftlaudy · « **Reply #15 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:42:48 pm »

u should b fine with pasta and grilled chicken --- once u see how it goes, u will be able to better gauge when u should eat, etc. I don't even think about it anymore --- just pop the pill before i get in the bed for the night.

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #16 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:56:19 pm »

Da Moon is wise. Listen to him and be grateful they don't make Hivid any more.

MtD

dhivpol · « **Reply #17 on:** March 21, 2010, 10:24:30 pm »

I know this sounds bad, i wanna be healthy just dont know if i can start this. I found out yesterday I have MRSA (AGAIN!) and fever of 102.8 last night. Is it bad to take this pill when im already ill? I cant get ahold of my doc, and no one to talk to facetoface

tednlou2 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 21, 2010, 10:48:56 pm »

Quote from: dhivpol on March 21, 2010, 10:24:30 pm

I know this sounds bad, i wanna be healthy just dont know if i can start this. I found out yesterday I have MRSA (AGAIN!) and fever of 102.8 last night. Is it bad to take this pill when im already ill? I cant get ahold of my doc, and no one to talk to facetoface

I know docs give HIV meds to people who are very ill in the hospital. I would think most would have no problem with someone starting meds when sick. However, can you reach your doc Monday morning to ask? Does your doc think you've been taking them?

You don't want to wait around too long to start. Everything I've read here and elsewhere says starting at higher CD4 will probably give you better chance of getting numbers back up sooner.

Good luck and all the best!

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #19 on:** March 21, 2010, 10:54:23 pm »

Quote from: dhivpol on March 21, 2010, 10:24:30 pm

I know this sounds bad, i wanna be healthy just dont know if i can start this. I found out yesterday I have MRSA (AGAIN!) and fever of 102.8 last night. Is it bad to take this pill when im already ill? I cant get ahold of my doc, and no one to talk to facetoface

Sweetheart,

They're pills, not pellets of sodium fucking cyanide. They might make you dizzy and a little bit grumpy. They won't make you sprout extra limbs or cause your balls to drop off.

Take them. It's for the best.

MtD

tednlou2 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 22, 2010, 12:08:43 am »

I've been afraid of meds as anyone. However, my mom was visiting this wknd. She has to take coumadin for the rest of her life. She had open-heart surgery with a valve replacement. She has to do bloodwork every month to check how thick or thin her blood is. She also has to take cholesterol drugs for the rest of her life more than likely-- as well as many other meds. She helped me feel better for when the day comes I have to start.

It is a big deal, though. My mom could miss doses of those meds and probably be okay. She could probably even quit them and still live a long life. Well, her blood would probably get too thick to pass through the mechanical valve if she stopped the coumadin. She would have a heart attack. However, she doesn't have to worry about resistance, so I know it isn't the same. She does have to worry about some of the other meds she's on. News just came out about Zocor issues. There was also recent news about the Fosamax she takes. So, there are possible issues with just about all meds.

kev72 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:19:41 am »

Quote from: matty.the.damned on March 21, 2010, 10:54:23 pm

They're pills, not pellets of sodium fucking cyanide. They might make you dizzy and a little bit grumpy. They won't make you sprout extra limbs or cause your balls to drop off.

MTD, You're post made my day LOL. That is exactly my thinking and it gave me a good laugh. Not to make light of peoples feelings are reasoning's as we all are different. For me, I could not wait to leave the Drs office and get my Atripla at the Pharmacy. I popped the pill in my car LOL. My thinking was the sooner I take it, the better I will feel. Again my circumstances are not the same as others.

Good luck with you're decision dhivpol.

Bruce · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:43:14 am »

The sooner you start the sooner you get better. It's a pill. Take it! and stop worrying about the side effects.

From what I see and read and from personal experience very few people have any really bad side effects. I eat a light meal in the evening around 7.30 (avoiding fatty food) so that I take my pill at 10pm on an empty stomach and aim to be asleep by 11pm. This allows me to sleep off most of the effects and all I have in the morning 7.30am is some slight grogginess which is gone by the time I'm out of the shower. My dreams are a little more vivid but not unpleasant and the morning wood a pleasure to wake up to

A slight light-headedness disappears through the morning and the rest of the day is fine. This has got even less over the month since I started taking Atripla and I am feeling great. I just wish I had got started on the Atripla earlier. My numbers are terrific and I anticipate being undetectable in two weeks time when my next tests are scheduled.

Be brave and just do it

You won't regret it!

Take care of yourself and good luck

MarkB · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:50:02 am »

LMAO@MtD

BlueMoon · « **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2010, 12:59:44 pm »

Quote from: dhivpol on March 21, 2010, 10:24:30 pm

I know this sounds bad, i wanna be healthy just dont know if i can start this. I found out yesterday I have MRSA (AGAIN!) and fever of 102.8 last night. Is it bad to take this pill when im already ill? I cant get ahold of my doc, and no one to talk to facetoface

I've never heard of anyone being taken off meds for a fever, so I don't imagine it's a valid reason to not start them.

It took me a year on meds to get my CD4 count back up to 281. Better to keep what you have, than let it get away from you and then try to regain it.

Hellraiser · « **Reply #25 on:** March 23, 2010, 01:13:53 pm »

You have MRSA most likely because your immune system is compromised, starting the medicine will allow it to rebuild. Why on earth you think that taking the medicine wouldn't help with this is beyond me.

leatherman · « **Reply #26 on:** March 23, 2010, 01:54:37 pm »

Quote from: dhivpol on March 21, 2010, 10:24:30 pm

Is it bad to take this pill when im already ill?

many people don't get the luxury of deciding when to start taking meds. When they're in the hospital with an OI just finding out that they've been diagnosed with AIDS, they start the meds immediately and pray to god that the meds have the chance to work before death overtakes them.

Sick like you are, I would suggest starting immediately. If there are any side effects, just take them in stride and deal with them. Even though that may be hard, it's alot easier than letting an OI kill ya.

Jeff64 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 23, 2010, 09:25:23 pm »

Quote from: dhivpol on March 21, 2010, 07:29:35 pm

So t-cells are 281 in January. My doctor gave me Atripla (I have two months supply now) and I just havent taken it. I don't have anyone to talk to, etc. Am I going to feel like shit? Etc??? Should I start tonight?

Take them...you get the best dreams ever. Good side effect in my opinion. Every night is like watching the best movie in 3D! Fun!
Another good reason to take it is your VL goes to non detectable!!

dhivpol · « **Reply #28 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:04:28 pm »

Just popping the pill, right now as I type. Here's for a good night. Hope all goes well and will update you all tomorrow. Night!

Rev. Moon · « **Reply #29 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:06:08 pm »

Quote from: dhivpol on March 23, 2010, 11:04:28 pm

Just popping the pill, right now as I type. Here's for a good night. Hope all goes well and will update you all tomorrow. Night!

Sweet dreams

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #30 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:43:24 pm »

I'll need visual proof in the form of a youtube video.

Hellraiser · « **Reply #31 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:57:37 pm »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on March 23, 2010, 11:43:24 pm

I'll need visual proof in the form of a youtube video.

Why is it when I say that I get accused of being a perv?

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #32 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:58:08 pm »

Quote from: Hellraiser on March 23, 2010, 11:57:37 pm

Why is it when I say that I get accused of being a perv?

Because you are a perv.

MtD

Hellraiser · « **Reply #33 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:02:14 am »

Touche

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #34 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:07:32 am »

Quote from: Hellraiser on March 24, 2010, 12:02:14 am

Touche

Now you're trying your filthy frog deviant talk on me? You are utterly shameless.

MtD

Rev. Moon · « **Reply #35 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:41:18 am »

Quote from: matty.the.damned on March 24, 2010, 12:07:32 am

Now you're trying your filthy frog deviant talk on me? You are utterly shameless.

MtD

I think the two of you would make a cute and happy couple.

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #36 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:47:19 am »

Quote from: livebythemoon on March 24, 2010, 12:41:18 am

I think the two of you would make a cute and happy couple.

Nope. He's too northern for me.

MtD

Hellraiser · « **Reply #37 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:49:19 am »

I prefer tops, besides I only speak a little bit of Australian...

Dingo Dingo Koala Didgeridoo Shrimp-on-the-barbie Wallaby Ate-me-baby Mate Kylie Minogue.

The language barrier would be too great.

dhivpol · « **Reply #38 on:** March 24, 2010, 01:08:53 am »

Cant go to sleep yet, only feeling dizzy, and a lil confused. Boyfriend just left for the night (new boyfriend, we been going out for 6 months now) and he helped me through the first night I think. We broke up a month ago due to him living up north, but last night, we talked and were back on strong. He tells me he wont do it again, that I mean too much to him. Wow this med feels damnaa weird.

Bruce · « **Reply #39 on:** March 24, 2010, 06:36:22 am »

Hang in there

this is the beginning of things getting a whole lot better for you!

dhivpol · « **Reply #40 on:** March 24, 2010, 11:10:45 am »

Thanks guys. So im awake today, its weird, I got that "drunk" feeling, but no dreams etc. lol. Maybe tonight I'll get em. Thanks though. Now I just need to stick on these.

kev72 · « **Reply #41 on:** March 24, 2010, 11:16:54 am »

Great news DH. I too just started Atripla and it is not bad at all. Glad you decided to take it.

Have a good day,

Kev

Hellraiser · « **Reply #42 on:** March 24, 2010, 11:34:25 am »

You'll find with atripla that it's really not as bad as the side effects make it look. The worst thing is the rash which of course clears up on its own and you may not even get it. I'm to the point now where I don't get any side effects with it any longer really.

Bruce · « **Reply #43 on:** March 25, 2010, 08:01:40 am »

Great news. Hang in there

I didn't get any side effects at all over the first month except slight dizziness in the morning. Hope it's the same for you

Bruce

dhivpol · « **Reply #44 on:** March 29, 2010, 12:13:05 am »

Still on the meds, not to thank the constant restroom breaks, the headaches sometimes, NO dreams, and the dizzyness. As well as waking up in the morning at weird hours. But, still on em.

Bruce · « **Reply #45 on:** March 29, 2010, 03:10:50 am »

Keep going

You are doing well and all that will pass eventually and you will feel great

Bruce

Rev. Moon · « **Reply #46 on:** March 31, 2010, 01:05:39 am »

Quote from: dhivpol on March 29, 2010, 12:13:05 am

Still on the meds, not to thank the constant restroom breaks, the headaches sometimes, NO dreams, and the dizzyness. As well as waking up in the morning at weird hours. But, still on em.

You must stay on them now that you started. The dizziness will go away.

Hopefully you ain't feeling lak this:

skeebo1969 · « **Reply #47 on:** March 31, 2010, 01:29:14 am »

You should get you a pill box so you can organize da pills, or get you one of these atleast:

skeebo1969 · « **Reply #48 on:** March 31, 2010, 01:34:58 am »

I agree with Lived, I delayed them for so long I looked like this:

blackwingbear · « **Reply #49 on:** March 31, 2010, 03:27:08 am »

Was that a cat or a chihuahua???

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Author Topic: Got the pills, just need that "push" (Read 9418 times)