Atripla???

[ryeguy]

Hi all,

I am considering changing my com bi therapy to Atripla, can anyone give me some info on what they have experienced with this med good and bad.

thanks

[pozguy75]

My numbers have never looked so good...on the flip side, my anxiety has never been higher...so I take anti-anxiety meds and love my numbers...

[mplsdoubled]

Hi.  I started Atripla on Dec. 28.  Never been on any other meds.  The first few nights I felt really "stoned" about 90 minutes after taking it if I wasn't already asleep.  That has gone away now.  I don't notice it at all and am able to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night without stumbling.

About a week after starting it, I noticed some very minor red blotches on my hands and lower arms.  I guess it was a rash but it was gone in a day or two and not noticeable to anyone who wasn't looking for it (of course, I was really focused on it but nobody else ever noticed).

I have been pretty depressed the last few weeks and wondered if that was a reaction to the Sustiva in the Atripla.  Depression/anxiety can be a side effect.  But after taking a close look at things and talking to my doctor, I don't think my being "down" is a result of the meds.  It's more situational than anything else and I have found that just getting out and being active clears up any depression I might be feeling.  For instance, I was having a pity-party yesterday but then forced myself to go out with friends last night for a few hours.  I didn't drink any alcohol knowing that it's a depressant and by the time I got home last night I was feeling great!  It was good to get out and be part of life.

So, that's been my experience.  Sustiva is known to be a great drug at suppressing your viral load.  I'm not going to go off of it unless it's absolutely necessary and so far, I don't find myself at that point.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[BobF]

Hi.   I've been on Atripla since 9/07.   Other than weird dreams, and periodic insomnia, I've not had any negative effects.   I do also get a "stoned/flushed" feeling about an hour after taking it.   I take it about an hour before bed.

Good luck to you!

[StrongGuy]

I'd recommend it as long as you are aware of the possible sides and are OK with having to wait out soem of the more common ones that disappear with most people like the CNS issues. I only had some minor CNS issues for a few days after I began treatment, but no sides since. I  love the combo and I'm all for switching combos if you think it will be an improvement.

Good luck

[Lou-ah-vull]

It has almost been a whole year on Atripla and I have been very fortunate.  I switched because of lipid effects from my first regimen.  Since then, my numbers have dramatically improved (as well as my lipids.)  I have had very few side effects... certainly the wooziness many report and the vivid (but not troublesome, and usually interesting) dreams.  I am very comfortable with the drug right now...and the dosing schedule certainly is convenient!

Gary

[vivyt]

I was diagnosed in May 2007 and was put on Atripla. I had the same side effects in the beginnng as others were mentioning. I called it the LSD pill. Now it doesn't even bother me. I take it right at bedtime so it doesn't bother me. Since taking it my viral load is undetectible and my count is climbing... Good luck.

[LordBerners]

I think Atripla is basically what I am on, though it goes by different names here.  I've been only it for just a week, and have had a great deal of trouble sleeping.  I do sleep but its a feverish, unrestful sleep.

However the really shocking trouble I have had is I have totally lost my appetite and food seems to taste terrible.  I've lost 5 kilos in a week. Anyone else have this experience early on?  Does it subside?

[ryeguy]

thankyou all for your experience sharing. It my combo proves to be becoming noneffective I will put Atripla at the top of my wish list. The only thing which scares me a bit is the fact that insomnia seems to be an issue, I don't sleep well now, I certainly can't afford to have that preexisting condition worsened.

How does Atripla seem to be on the Lypodystrophy??

[dixieman]

Go for it! I've been on this combo for about 1 year... numbers 1589 cd4 non det... unfortunately I never had and or noticed the wild dreams etc... figures?

[Esquare]

Its working very well for me in terms of my numbers and side effects.

However I do think that I am going to talk with a counselor about the anxiety such as pozguy75 did.  I am really bad about getting worked up for a big work presentation but it has gotten worse and not better since I started taking the combo. This could be a coincidence but I dont know.