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Author Topic: atripla: very happy  (Read 7777 times)

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Offline ik

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
atripla: very happy
« on: March 11, 2011, 10:17:17 am »
this is just a short msg to those who have maybe just started atripla or are about to. i started atripla just over 5 weeks ago. to begin with i had a few side affects, vivid dreams, broken sleep, dizziness etc. as the weeks have gone on most of these have diminished  :) altho occasionally an hour or so after the tablet i can still experience a little dizziness but not as extreme as a few weeks ago. it tends to wear off after about an hour.

i had my first viral load test last week, 4 weeks into taking atripla, today i had my results. my viral load was 141'000. today i have been told my viral load is 1'510. so i'm a very happy person  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

i have always took my tablet at bed time around 10pm/11pm depending on my shifts, i stop eating for at least 2 hours before taking atripla i also made a decision not to drink or atleast until i have an undetectable viral load, i am hoping for this next time i have my viral load test.

to anyone out there who is having unpleasant side affects or nervous to start treatment, i just wanna say hang on in there and try not to be afraid.

best of luck to everyone out there, if i can help at all, with any questions than please just ask


best wishes

Offline mbpoz6

  • Member
  • Posts: 82
Re: atripla: very happy
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2011, 07:59:30 pm »
This is a very encouraging post jk. Thanks! And congrats on your results. very impressive! My VL as of mid Feb was 45,000. so hopefully I can have similar results like yours in a few weeks.

I just started "A" and I'm hanging in there so far. I did have the jitterbugs/nervousness when I took my first one last night, but I'm getting over it. I take mines around midnight. 

Are you currently taking any vitamins as well? And do you feel tired during the day?

Offline drewm

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,248
Re: atripla: very happy
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2011, 11:21:26 pm »
I do like Atripla and it likes me! My VL went from 500,000 to 30 in about six months. CD4 from 8 -eight- to 323.
 I do take a centrum vitamin daily and am in otherwise good health. Sometimes I get tired during the day but no more or less than I did maybe 10 years ago so I'm not going to blame this disease.
 :)
Diagnosed in  May of 2010 with teh AIDS.

PCP Pneumonia . CD4 8 . VL 500,000

TRIUMEQ - VALTREX -  FLUOXETINE - FENOFIBRATE - PRAVASTATIN - CIALIS


Numbers consistent since 12/2010 - VL has remained undetectable and CD4 is anywhere from 275-325

Offline ik

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: atripla: very happy
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2011, 05:34:29 am »
Hi mbpoz6
Thanks for your message and all the best with the 'A'. I do take vitamin supplements in the morning - multi-vitamin, vitamin B complex and vitamin C also Co Enzyme Q10.  My consultant said it was not necessary but would not cause any harm.  I take them because I think they may help and if they don't its good to ensure you have the right vitamins in you anyway  :)

In regards to tiredness I have struggled a lot over the past year with being tired and always wanted to sleep.  Since taking 'A' I found that I had so much more energy after the first week, it was amazing.  Unfortunately, I got a rotten stinking cold about week 4 that knocked me for six.  That made me feel all tired again and quite rough.  It was nothing to do with 'A' or HIV but was just one of those things - but it was a bit disheartening as I had so much energy and I was a little worried at times.  However, its almost gone away and I am slowly getting back to where i was a week after taking 'A'.  I even jumped out of bed and did a dance this morning :) :)

Happy to answer anymore questions or share experiences of the 'A' - just ask :)

Hi drewm

8!!!  OMG - I am glad its all getting better and going the right way.  Best of luck!

IKX



  
« Last Edit: March 12, 2011, 05:38:30 am by ik »

Offline mbpoz6

  • Member
  • Posts: 82
Re: atripla: very happy
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2011, 09:01:48 am »
I do like Atripla and it likes me! My VL went from 500,000 to 30 in about six months. CD4 from 8 -eight- to 323.
 I do take a centrum vitamin daily and am in otherwise good health. Sometimes I get tired during the day but no more or less than I did maybe 10 years ago so I'm not going to blame this disease.
 :)


That's excellent drewm. Congratulations. The VL dropped so low and your CD bounced so high! It sounds refereshing to hear others doing so well. That gives me so much hope. Keep up to good work bro. I also atake a multivitamin and vitamind d as well, in the day time.

Hi mbpoz6
Thanks for your message and all the best with the 'A'. I do take vitamin supplements in the morning - multi-vitamin, vitamin B complex and vitamin C also Co Enzyme Q10.  My consultant said it was not necessary but would not cause any harm.  I take them because I think they may help and if they don't its good to ensure you have the right vitamins in you anyway  :)

In regards to tiredness I have struggled a lot over the past year with being tired and always wanted to sleep.  Since taking 'A' I found that I had so much more energy after the first week, it was amazing.  Unfortunately, I got a rotten stinking cold about week 4 that knocked me for six.  That made me feel all tired again and quite rough.  It was nothing to do with 'A' or HIV but was just one of those things - but it was a bit disheartening as I had so much energy and I was a little worried at times.  However, its almost gone away and I am slowly getting back to where i was a week after taking 'A'.  I even jumped out of bed and did a dance this morning :) :)

Happy to answer anymore questions or share experiences of the 'A' - just ask :)

Hi drewm

8!!!  OMG - I am glad its all getting better and going the right way.  Best of luck!

IKX



  

Yeah I think the vitamins are not essential but they do help out and I do appreciate any vitamin that will help out my immune system and help to be in good shape.

I took my second "A" last night, and no side effects whatsover. Just a very tiny bit of dizziness this morning but that's about it (I don't even think its was from "A", but whatever...) No grogginess, no dreams, etc. NOTHING!.... I feel good about that.

I do have another question (unrelated to "A")  but how do I stop thinking about HIV?? It's constantly on my mind 24/7. I can't stop thinking about it!!! When I try to, it just doesn't go away. :( Every time I sit on my computer whether at home or at work, I'm googleing/reading/searching for   HIV news, studies, research news, etc. everything. Is that something that will eventually wear off?

I also skipped dinner last night because I was too lazy to make dinner, and not in the mood, so I had one of those meal replacement shakes. Is that a good idea?

Sorry for asking too many questions but I'm newly diagnosed so everything is still fresh to me.

Offline Matt39

  • Member
  • Posts: 179
Re: atripla: very happy
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2011, 01:35:20 pm »
The preoccupation with your 'HIV' status is not uncommon, especially since you are relatively newly diagnosed. It varies from person to person.
You have to develop various coping mechanisms such as social activities, hobbies, being with friends/lover/family - things that occupy your mind and time that are actually beneficial.
You should also seek out some ongoing counselling if you feel it gets too much.

As far as your diet is concerned, you certainly should try to maintain a good regular habit of eating a *balanced* whole food diet *but*, and this is a big but, do not beat yourself over the head if you sometimes just don't have the mental focus or energy to do it, and if the meal replacement is relatively healthy then fine. The human body (with or without 'HIV') is remarkably resilient and having the occasional meal replacement shake is a *non-problem* but *worrying* about it, is.

Have nutritious cold snacks to hand - whole raw nuts and seeds. Raw bell peppers and raw leafy greens, hummus, taramasalata, live fresh yoghurt.

Good luck

Offline Never_Until_You

  • New Member
  • Posts: 1
Re: atripla: very happy
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2011, 10:46:21 am »
 ik,

Your message is truly encouraging.  I was diagnosed on 3/15/11 and treated for PCP with Bactrim.  My viral load is currently 500K and my T cell: 57.  As you know, these numbers, together with an opportunistic disease, represent an AIDS diagnosis.  I'm a  32yo male.  I was released from the hospital after 5 days, and I'm now on day 3 of Atripla, with subsiding fatigue as a side effect.

I do have a question for everyone.  I've heard horror stories about the side effects when eating with Atripla. I take it around 11 and stop eating around 9.  But no one ever mentions, if you can eat after.  I'm a muncher.  I know to stay away from fatty foods.  I battle with the idea that things have to change (for I have changed) but then there's the attempt to return to your "regular" life.  It's not a bother now and please believe me that I'm not complaining but I wonder what happens when you're out late and it's 11 and you take your dose but are not in bed because you're out with friends at a dinner, or gathering on a typical Saturday night. It's important for me to recuperate but being around people has also been a source of retaining my sanity. 

I honestly found myself very hungry around midnight and afraid to eat, since not eating after 9, for me, is fasting.  I'm a slim guy (135lb)/5'10 with a high metabolism.  I'm also worried about immune reconstitution syndrome, which my doctor warned me about when (and if) my numbers start going up.

 I'm also on a weekly dose of Azythro as a prophylaxis for other opportunistic diseases until my T cells are >100 and 2 weeks of diflucan, after my ID discovered thrush in my throat.

It has been an up hill battle for which I count every blessing and hate to even complain but I just wonder if people have had similar experiences.

Also, for those new on Atripla, there is an assistance program that pays for your co-payment (or up to $200/month) for the first 12 months of treatment. I highly recommend it. It's posted in the Atripla site.



— One day at a time

Offline Billy B

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Re: atripla: very happy
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2011, 10:14:59 am »
ik- I am happy that you and Atripla were a good fit but the reality of it is that it is not for everyone. The Sustiva made me crazy and I had to stop the "A". One copay and one pill would have been great but it wasn't for me. Perhaps it is because I am older (55).
Anyway, congratulations on your success and stay off the booze...you liver will thank you when you get older.
VL 4420 CD4 340 CD4% 24   3/15/10 Started I&T
VL  UD   CD4 340 CD4% 26.5 05/13/10
VL  UD   CD4 360 CD4% 27.1 08/3/10
VL  UD   CD4 310 CD4% 28.4 11/22/10
VL  UD   CD4 420 CD4% 27.9 02/11/11
VL  UD   CD4 370 CD4% 26.4 06/08/11
VL  UD   CD4 360 CD4% 27.7 09/23/11
VL  UD   CD4 370 CD4% 28.3 01/20/12
VL  UD   CD4 430 CD4% 28.8 05/11/12
VL  UD   CD4 370 CD4% 28.1 09/07/12
VL  UD   CD4 390 CD4% 32.3 03/14/13
VL  UD   CD4 450 CD4% 29.8 09/10/13
VL  UD   CD4 430 CD4% 31.0 04/29/14
VL  UD   CD4 520 CD4% 34.8 11/05/15
VL  UD   CD4 440 CD4% 33.5 03/10/15
VL  UD   CD4 450 CD4% 30.5 08/23/16
VL  UD   CD4 510 CD4% 34.0 07/21/20  (Biktarvy)

Offline hope_for_a_cure

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,517
Re: atripla: very happy
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2011, 10:26:51 am »
I do have a question for everyone.  I've heard horror stories about the side effects when eating with Atripla. I take it around 11 and stop eating around 9.  But no one ever mentions, if you can eat after. 

This will vary from person to person from what I have read.  Its been my experience that food does not affect the effects of Atripla.  The first week or so I did get some dizziness when getting up in the middle of the night (bathroom break).  My doseage time is between 8:00 and 9:00 with dinner around 7:00 usually. 

Offline buginme2

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,426
Re: atripla: very happy
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2011, 02:03:40 pm »
Hey I've been on Atripla about 4 months or so.  As far as the not eating thing.  In the first couple months dont eat 2 hours before or one hour after taking it.  I think thats what the literature recommends.   However, as you become more used to it the side effects start to dissapate.  Now if I do eat to close to he time I take it the increase of side effects is minor.  Don't stress out about that too much.  Just try to stick to a schedule and take it every day.  In a couple months you wont even notice the side effects any more. 

You may experience some immune reconstitution.  Mine numbers werent as bad as yours so our experiences may be different.  However, you will get through it.  Keep with it.  Let me know if I can be of any help. Youll be fine!
Don't be fancy, just get dancey

 


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