Meds and brain fog

[lonbjny]

Hi,

Hoping that there is a solution out there.

I am on my third combo. Started on atripla and found it impossible to think clearly. Moved to complera after 5 months. Was on that for 9 months, better but still had brain fog with repeated sensation of waking from dreams during the day. Moved to stribild and have been on that for over a year, best combo yet, but still feel in a mental fog which is gradually sapping direction from my life. There seems little point in doing things when I can sometimes hardly remember doing them.

I want to try something else. Is there any combo that is known for not having any mental side effects?  Am thinking of tivicay and epzicom as all my 3 combos so far have contained truvada so I am thinking that it would be good to try something without that.
My dr seems very unsure in this area of brain fog and is offering little advice. Other than suggesting I may have cognitive damage from HIV. Possibly true but the feeling of being drugged on my combo makes me hopeful that it is the drugs causing it, and therefore different drugs may help.
Has anyone had the brain on complera or stribild and found a successful solution? Or are there combos known to be clear headed?
Thanks as always for sharing your insight and experience,

[eric48]

Sorry that none of our experience poster had a chance to chime in

That is too bad, but it seems that our 'scientifically inclined' are on vacation

Brain fog... That is a difficult one because:
1 it is not rare
2 it is not a well defined clinical condition

My brain fog may not be same as yours, but if it is I really see what you mean

i yet have to find a good medical or common sense answer to this condition

I have read much, visited several specialist: could not find a clue

Brainjailed

Thatīs my word for it

One day I told my doc: my spouse is poisoning me....

As usual,he was of little help, because this condition is not in his book

I feel intoxicated ! I told him

He could not answer

At that time I tought, NO, I do not feel intoxicated....I am... And you Doc ,you understand, but you keep you mouth shut

Then I start reading those women ī magazine that tell you about detox

I found a few supplements , and,by trial and error, I am getting relief with some supplements

It is a lot of trial and error,but, I am getting better

beware of depression... brain fog might lead to it

the first step for me was to realize what is going on and name it

if intoxication is what describe your condition, then detox is your natural next step

I had to do a lot of experimenting,though....

But, finally,it is kind of gone

If yours is same as mine, it is a really debilitating condition...

[lonbjny]

Just wanted to update based on my experience.
I switched to Triumeq from Stribild. It has eliminated the daily hangover I have always had on meds. (Atripla worst, Complera better, Stribild better) so am guessing that Truvada was a partial cause. It has also reduced a lot of the brain fog and I now feel more mentally 'able' I guess is the right word.

So I am now the closest I have ever been to having zero side effects. I always heard about other people having zero side effects and was so jealous
My personal conclusion is that if you are having issues, particularly ones that seem so vague (brain fog, memory issues) don't give in and accept them. There are combinations that might resolve or reduce them. The only new issue I have right now is some joint pains that coincided with initiation of Triumeq and may be completely unrelated.

[eric48]

We do not have Triumeq here... Only a Trim-Eco ;-)

Lots of people are happy with Triumeq. So, I guess, I will have to wait...

My detox thing seems to have worked in the meantime and I must admit thing have largely improved in 2014

There may be some residues and fatigue , sometimes, but that is just about it
Good luck

[chemeng83]

Atripla just straight sucked.  I was on it 2 years and had a full range of side effects, including brain fog.  I switched to Triumeq in October and have had no physc issues.  It's been great and VL/CD4 remained UD/650 (no change with switch). If you can't get triumeq, I'd definitely go with the epi/tiv combo.  Hope you feel better!

[MrMcPoz]

Hi there, are you still doing better?
Hm, detox ... makes sense.
I've been struggling with demotivation and depression and think brain fog's a big part of it; though I also became legally blind 6 years ago, when I found out I'm positive I was in the hospital with Meningitis, and that's hard on you psychologically.

I feel a bit better when I go to the gym regularly but the demotivation is a barrier there.  (also an excuse

I take Triumeq, and my experience has been more brain fog since I switched to it but I think other things are going on because I've never read anyone having a problem with it.  Though of course it's very new.

I'm considering taking Hydergine, which is a brand name for Ergoloid mesylates (sp?)  It's a dementia medicine that - from what I have read - oxygenates your blood and improves blood flow to the brain.  Plus they don't really know how it works but studies have shown people have cognitive function improvement.  I took it in my late 30s for a while, when I was doing a lot of writing, and it's wonderful.  (got it from a "smart drug" supplier)  I remember it made me feel really good.  I was told that in Europe you can find it in drugstores without a prescription on the shelf next to the Geritol.  I asked my doctor if it would work OK with Triumeq.  It wasn't on the list of adverse reactions but it hasn't been studied.  He didn't prescribe it but said give it a try and I'm considering ordering it from an overseas pharmacy.  It can be hard on your stomach but I don't have an issue with that.

I've also been noticing that when I take several thousand units of vitamin C I feel more clarity, but I don't always remember. 
Has your B-12 been tested?  Vitamin D?  Both of those have cognitive issues as a deficiency symptom. 

Also if you don't have enough testosterone your brain doesn't work as well and you feel apathetic.  I don't know if low T is a symptom of HIV or a side effect of the meds but it's a common issue and a lot of doctors don't pay attention.  My previous doctor was a slouch and I had to tell him when to check things and he kept forgetting testosterone, but I knew that if your testicles shrink it's a sign of low T.  Mine did and I started taking periodic tiny amounts of Horny Goat Weed (very tiny, strong stuff.)  It contains the raw material for testosterone, so if your system still functions to manufacture T it makes a huge difference.  (literally, heh heh   It takes a couple days to go from taking a tiny pinch of the Horny Goat Weed powdered herb (like 1/8 teaspoon for me) to my testicles replumpted and full in the mornings again.  I still have brain fog but it might be even worse without it.  (Plus low T means low sex drive which is also, in my opinion, not good for your brain or spirits.)  You can also get the testosterone supplement but since I have such a good relationship with the simple periodic herbal boost my doctor would rather I stick with it.

I hope this is useful.  Be well !!!