Reyataz and Epzicom Regimen

[ChristopherSF]

Hello Everyone..

Is anyone out there taking Reyataz and Epzicom?  Or has anyone taken that combination in the past and then come off of it because of sleep issues?   Would like to chat with someone more about this.... my sleep has been so screwed up since I started this treatment a year ago. Can never sleep through the night and often have problems falling asleep.  I am thinking about changing meds... just wanted to get some thoughts from folks.   I exercise and lift weights 5-6 days a week, eat great.... just can't conquer the sleep....  help

Thanks much.

Christopher

[Eldon]

Hey Chris,

It is good to hear from you. In fact, I am currently taking the same regimen Epzicom and Reyataz. In the beginning there were some issues that I had with sleeping. However, through accepting the situation and understanding what the situation was, my sleeping has dramatically improved.

You are more than welcome to PM me if you choose to do so.


Make the BEST of each Day!

[lostboy]

Chris,

I'm on not on the combined Epzicom pill yet, but I'm taking Abacavir & 3TC seperately with Reyataz.  I haven't noticed sleep problems. Any sleep interruptions I do have are usually caused by my two young sons.

Have you talked to your doctor about this?

All the best,

Lost

[Blixer]

Chris,
I was on Epzicom and Sustiva to begin with. I had some sleep issues at first and moved my dosing to the morning.  It worked marvelously for me.  My doctor tried putting me on Ambien to see if that helped but it didn't make a difference.  And I didn't want to be on sleeping aids in addition to the other meds.  But the switch to mornings worked.

I would agree with what the others have suggested... talk to your doctor.

[Eldon]

Hey Chris,

Here are some of the things that you can try to help you with your situation:

1. Regular rise and fall-go to bed at the same time every evening, arise at the same time every morning regardless of how much sleep you did of didn't get. By doing this, it resets your body clock, and humans seem to thrive on regularity.

2. A peaceful evening-leisure, relaxation, no excercise three hours before retiring, no heavy eating and listen to some relaxation music of your choice.

3. No Naps! - unless your doctor or common sense dictates otherwise.

4. No stimulants! - caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, sugars, or nicotine, all have a stimulating effect.

5. Sleep conductive environment, make your nest for sleep. No television or reading in the bedroom. if you are not asleep after (20) twenty or (30) thirty minutes, get up and go into another part of your house and read or watch TV. Also, a warm cup of milk does wonders as well.

This should help you out tremendously. I would like to point out that meditation and relaxation goes together. It extremely reduces your internal anxiety and relaxes you.

Make the BEST of each Day!

[newt]

Hey hello Christopher

The two drugs in your combo that may be the cause are Reyataz and abacavir (Ziagen), one of the two drugs in Epzicom ... Sleep problems are rare with abacavir, bit more common with Reyataz.

Blixer's suggestion on dose timing is a good un, I used to take my Reyataz combo in the evening but found nodding off a problem. Shifting the time I took my meds to earlier in the day (well, lunchtime as it happens) sorted that for me.

In terms of switching, some people react badly to individual drugs, and a switch may solve the problem. However, some people react badly to classes of drugs, so another PI instead of Reyataz, or another pair of nukes to replace the Epzicom, may not improve the situation.  Only way to find out is to try it and see.

It may not be the meds.   A number of simple things can affect sleep ... exercise, hydration, when you eat etc. Now your virus is hammered, your body will be more energetic and alive.  Maybe, the (cellular) tiredness that goes with an unsuppressed viral load taken care of, your body is behaving as it wants, and the sleeplessness is down to some other factor.  Before thinking about changing meds, your doc will prob want to explore this line of thinking first, and, along the line's Eldon suggests, get you to keep a sleep diary & practice some "sleep hygiene" (as they call it). And/or provide a sleep aid in the form of another pill (another pill....hmmm).

- matt

[ChristopherSF]

THanks for the responses.  I have done much of the sleep hygiene mentioned by Eldon.  As far as dosing, I am taking my meds in the morning. Have tried many sleeping aids.. Ambien and Lunestra don't work for me.  Well I will keep plugging away at this and hopefully my sleep will get better.... hate to switch meds considering I am undetectable and have a T cell count at 800.  Again many thanks to those who responded.

Christopher