Author Topic: SWITCHED TO TRUVADA - CAN'T SLEEP (Read 11358 times)

boomer · « **on:** February 18, 2010, 10:19:00 am »

I recently switched from Epzicom to Truvada (with Lexiva and Norvir) because I was having chronic fatigue issues. While the switch did resolve the fatigue, I cannot sleep at all. I have been in therapy and can eliminate any emotional or mental issues. I have always been a sound sleeper and this is beginning to get serious. Has anyone had sleep issues with Truvada? My doc gave me (generic) Ambian but it only works for a few hours and I understand I will build a tolerance to it.

Thanks,
Boomer

Inchlingblue · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:25:37 am »

When I started Isentress/Truvada the pharmacist mentioned to me that some people have sleep issues with Truvada. I seem to remember starting a thread on here asking about it and nobody had experienced that. It's probably one of those side effects that very few people actually experience.

Having said that, it was recommended that I take the Truvada as part of my morning dose, which I did in order to avoid possible sleep issues.

Can you just take your meds in the morning? What else are you taking?

boomer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:37:36 am »

Hi Inch,

I was taking Lexiva, Norvir, Truvada, Crestor and Centrum at night and Testim, Levothyroxine and Zoloft in the morning. After consulting the doc re sleep he suggested I take all in the morning. It has been several weeks that I do take all in the AM with no change. My doc then prescribed the Ambien at my request last week and as I reported it provides little help. I may have to switch again.

Thanks,
Boomer

Ann · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:42:50 am »

boomer, my partner takes his truvada in the morning - I'm not sure if it was keeping him up, (we weren't together when he started it) but he definitely said it makes him groggy in the morning if he takes it at night. Could be a sleep issue. If you take it at night, try switching to the morning. Give it a week or so and if that doesn't fix it, maybe it's time for a chat with your doc about another change.

Ah, you posted while I was typing. Sounds like time for that chat. Good luck! I had insomnia for a year while on interferon/ribaviron (for hep C) and it really, really sucked.

Ann

Inchlingblue · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:45:32 am »

Are you saying your sleep issues started when you added Truvada to your regimen and before that you did not have sleep issues? If you're taking them all in the morning I would doubt that your sleep issues are due to Truvada.

Sometimes it takes a night or two of just not sleeping well and then you get tired enough to fall asleep normally after that (as long as no naps are taken during that time). I know it can be frustrating though.

boomer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:46:48 am »

Thanks Ann, yes it does suck, especially if you never had a sleep problem.

I never asked my doc but if you switch off a drug can you go back at a later date?

Thanks,
Boomer

boomer · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:51:41 am »

Yes Inch, my problem started immediately after the switch to Truvada. I am sure there are no other issues as I am feeling physically and emotionally well. It's ironic that I made the change to remedy chronic fatigue! I will speak to the doc but I will not rush into anything just to make sure it doesn't improve over the short term.

Thanks,
Boomer

Ann · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:52:43 am »

If you switch off a drug to go directly onto another drug, resistance isn't normally a problem and the drug can be used at a later date.

skeebo1969 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2010, 11:11:44 am »

LOL...

I have to laugh at myself on this. I just switched from Atripla to Truvada because I was having sleep issues due to the Atripla. I sleep really well now, but it feels like I cannot get enough of it. I just switched two weeks ago, so I am going to give it a little while longer to see if the side effects go away.

I hope you get some relief from this, please keep us posted on what solution you find.

Good luck!

Inchlingblue · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2010, 11:30:28 am »

Quote from: skeebo1969 on February 18, 2010, 11:11:44 am

LOL...

I have to laugh at myself on this. I just switched from Atripla to Truvada because I was having sleep issues due to the Atripla. I sleep really well now, but it feels like I cannot get enough of it. I just switched two weeks ago, so I am going to give it a little while longer to see if the side effects go away.

I hope you get some relief from this, please keep us posted on what solution you find.

Good luck!

But skeebo, you switched because of the efavirenz (Sustiva) portion of Atripla was the culprit. You were always on Truvada, since Truvada is in Atripla.

Do you take your meds in the morning?

skeebo1969 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2010, 11:51:22 am »

Quote from: Inchlingblue on February 18, 2010, 11:30:28 am

But skeebo, you switched because of the efavirenz (Sustiva) portion of Atripla was the culprit. You were always on Truvada, since Truvada is in Atripla.

Do you take your meds in the morning?

In the evening.. and you're right about the meds, don't know what I was thinking. Guess the morning java has not kicked in yet.

mecch · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2010, 02:39:31 pm »

There are other sleeping drugs than ambien. Ask your doctor to attend to your needs with dedication.

Tempeboy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2010, 07:32:39 am »

Hey Boomer,

People respond individually to treatments, and if your new combo coincided with your sleep problems it may be the culprit.

Are you taking any other medications? I note that you are taking ritonavir - that can boost a range of other medications, HIV and others.

Are you taking, or have you recently started taking supplements - ritonavir can boost St Johns wort and cause sleeplessness. Check this out - http://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/frames.asp?drug/drg_main.asp

There are many other treatments to choose from. In the mean time you could try to avoid caffiene, try camomile tea and use the sleeping tablets in the short term - you will need to check with your doc - can you see her/him soon?

All the best.

boomer · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2010, 12:16:10 pm »

Hey Tempeboy,

Thanks for the response.

The Truvada is the only change in a long time. I previously listed all the other meds I take. The only supplement is Centrum multivitamin.

I am traveling until the end of the month so until then I am using the Ambian, staying out of bed until I am really ready to sleep, avoiding caffeine after the AM, etc.

The drug interaction link was a little confusing, I prefer the AidsMeds drug interaction site better.

Boomer

ad2san · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2010, 04:00:24 pm »

Hi Boomer,

I am since May 09 on TVD + ATV/r (first therapy), taken with breakfast around 9:00 am.
I do know your problem very well. Fall asleep at 11 pm, wake up at 1 am and can't fall asleep before 4 am or something like this ?
I did a lot of experiment : any kind of OTC drugs, teas, melatonin ... no result.
TCA made it worst.
Ambien: I have the same problem as you wrote, can fall asleep but won't last.
I thought I was getting crazy, my partner as well. It also destroyed our sex life by the way ...
At this time I am with lunesta 7,5 mg (1/2 before going to sleep). This is the only solution. I get a good night sleep and dream a lot. I don't take it on week ends since I can sleep in the morning a little bit (otherwise I wake up at 6:00 am to go to the gym before going to the office).
As Newt mentioned it once the effect of Truvada passes/lessen .... I noticed it true for permanent need to wee; sleep is also getting a little bit better .... but anytime I tried to stop lunesta I had bad suprises (the very day or a couple of days later).

Hold on ...

Cheers

boomer · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2010, 05:58:51 pm »

Hi Ad2san,

What is TCA?

Your experience is very similar to mine. I fall asleep for a couple of hours (I think), wake and can't get back until after daybreak. Some nights I swear I don't sleep at all. It feels very surreal. No problem with the sex life, sorry for you about that! On my return I am going to request an Rx for Lunesta. Thank you for your comments.

Boomer

ad2san · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2010, 03:08:27 am »

Hi Boomer,

TCA = Tricyclic antidepressants (Elavil in that particular case, was supposed to make me sleepy).
Well, concerning sex life, the point is being so totally exhausted going to bed that you want just one: SLEEP.
I have never been an afternoon guy

But since I take Lunesta regulary it is going better.

Take care

Okealyshire · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2010, 11:31:48 pm »

Quote from: ad2san on February 20, 2010, 04:00:24 pm

At this time I am with lunesta 7,5 mg (1/2 before going to sleep). This is the only solution.

Wow, are you really taking 7.5 mg Lunesta every night? That's a pretty high dose. Usual prescriptions are for 1, 2 or 3 mg.

I used to be on 3 mg Lunesta. One time I took my nightly dose, got distracted by something, forgot what I did, took another dose -- and only then remembered I already did. With that 6 mg dose I slept for 12 hours and felt groggy all the next day.

ad2san · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2010, 03:47:40 am »

Hi Okealyshire,

Here is Lunesta generic sold in 3mg and 7,5mg. I take half a 7,5mg because it is cheaper

I kinda guess I would be knocked out with 7,5 ...

Okealyshire · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2010, 12:30:06 pm »

Quote from: ad2san on February 27, 2010, 03:47:40 am

Here is Lunesta generic sold in 3mg and 7,5mg

Out of curiosity, where do you live? I wasn't aware that Lunesta is available anywhere in generic form. Do you know the generic name of the drug you're taking? Lunesta is eszopiclone, a derivative of an older hypnotic called zopiclone. Zopiclone is indeed available in 7.5 mg doses.

ad2san · « **Reply #20 on:** February 27, 2010, 12:36:55 pm »

well guessed

... I live in europe and Lunesta is not available. I am indeed taking Zopiclone as a generic.

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Author Topic: SWITCHED TO TRUVADA - CAN'T SLEEP (Read 11358 times)