Anyone with no side effects from Atripla?

[BluCollarBud]

Tonight marks my first full week on Atripla and I really don't have any side effects. The first night I think my nerves won out and I was just too nervous that crazy stuff would happen. I did get a sore stomach or odd feeling in my stomach the first two mornings after, but I think much was due to me taking the medication and then going to bed right away without sitting up very long to let the medication digest in my stomach. So now I take it at 9pm, when I normal go to bed around 10:30 and sit up close to an hour to let it digest good. Then off to bed I go. I don't even get the vivid dreams I was expecting.

So my first week has passed and so far haven't had much side effects.

[Ann]

Hi Bud, welcome to the forums.

It's great to hear that it's "so far, so good" for you on the Atripla. I hope it continues that way for you.

May I ask, what were your numbers like etc when you started?

Ann

[BluCollarBud]

Hello Ann.  My numbers from my last blood work prior to going on Atripla were cd4 276, and VL 7123. I was infected in 2006. Luckily I found out right during my system changing over from Neg to Pos, since my test came back neither. Since that time my doctor has been monitoring my levels every 6 months. This is the first time my cd4 count dropped to 276. I knew this day was coming when I'd have to start medication and always feared the drugs would do wild things to me or cause issues would effect my work. But its been a week so far and I really can't complain about any side effects that it is causing me, except for the first two mornings where my stomach felt sore or odd. I think a lot of that was caused by simply taking the pill and laying down and trying to fall asleep right away and it really never giving it much time for the pill to digest into my system. I go back in 4 more weeks for my next blood work and will surely update you on how my system is handling Atripla.

One big question I have for those already on Atripla, is how does social drinking effect your system while on Atripla. I wouldn't say I'm a heavy drinker but at times I do like to go out and social with friends and have a few. Any pointers or recommendations for a newbie?