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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: tommy246 on November 08, 2009, 06:59:09 am

Title: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: tommy246 on November 08, 2009, 06:59:09 am
Is it to early to be popping the champagne open . The only side affect is i take the pill 11 pm wake about 2 ish as usual for the toilet and feel lightheaded not 100 % balance ,then again at 6 am and i am fine.The dreams are very vivid very real but have been good apart from the first night when i was about to make love to a giant half human half mouse with a deformed face,luckily i woke up at the point of entry. ( to the bedroom that is not what you were thinking .) Opinions please .
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: buffaloboy on November 08, 2009, 02:46:21 pm
If it's working for you, that's great.  I started on it about 3 weeks ago  and that was enough for me. I had to return the drugs to the clinic.

Watch out for a rash at the 2 week mark.  This doesn't affect everybody, but it's worth being prepared for in case it happens to you. From what I understand this is rarely any reason to stop the medication, and nothing more than antihistimines are usually prescribed if it's uncomfortable.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: tommy246 on November 09, 2009, 05:24:06 am
maybe i spoke to soontoday day 4 i woke felling a bit light headed and just had diarrea fingers crossed.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: anton on November 09, 2009, 05:51:00 am
I have been 18 days on Atripla and I havent got any side effects. Only the first day I woke up a little dizzy.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: kforney72 on November 09, 2009, 11:12:33 am
Just hang in there and hopfully it works for you. I did get the rash on day 10 or 11 looked like had a sunburn over my whole body and itched like crazy but I got some antihistimines and it was gone within a few days but it could have been a reaction to the ambien I started to take a few days before that. I never did get the vivid dreams although i do dream a little more than i used to but nothing vivid yet.

June 2003 tested POZ
Oct 7 2009 started atripla CD4-220 and VL 102000
Nov 6 2009 CD4-350 and VL just under 600
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: StacheBC on November 09, 2009, 11:09:06 pm
Been about 12 days on Truvada/Sustiva (Atripla) and have been doing well.
If I take it and don't go to bed right away, an hour later I can feel that my balance is a bit off... next day I feel fine though.
If it stays like this... and my blood work shows that my VL is dropping as it should, I'll be very happy with the combo.

Best of luck!
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: ruralguy on November 10, 2009, 09:37:38 am
That is good news Tommy. 

I've switched my dose to the morning because my morning routine is so much more stable than my nighttime routine.  My doc suggested moving it 2 hours ahead each night and it has worked out fine. 

The only surprise in changing it to mornings is that I sleep a lot better - all through the night, no problem.  That wasn't happening before but I didn't attribute it to Atripla.  I was even having to take ambien but that has all stopped with the switch to the morning.

Atripla does not work for everyone, as these boards make clear, but it works just fine for lots of people.

Good luck and keep us posted. 

dave
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: AboutToStart on November 12, 2009, 04:06:39 pm
3 months into the Atripla I started thinking about switching to morning dosage myself, due to problems with sleep, but by the time I acted on it it kinda took care of itself.. I start feeling fatigued at around 9pm, and by the time I hit the bed (11-midnight) I fall like a rock. Some nights I'll get up once or twice to pee, other nights not at all, but I would get my 7-8hrs of sleep (plus bonus dreams) so I guess that's good enough.

So ruralguy - when you take it in the morning - do you hold on your breakfast for a couple of hours or do you munch regularly??
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: tommy246 on November 13, 2009, 12:20:01 pm
My hiv doc said last week, 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: WildcatCC on November 13, 2009, 01:36:06 pm
I'm just saying .. my hiv doc told me the 1 hour before/2 hours after has to do with side effects and not efficacy. And it's a general guideline based on dosing recommendations. All that being said, I'm not sure Atripla is working for me so maybe I should pay more attention to the guidelines.  :o
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: tommy246 on November 16, 2009, 09:34:21 am
I'm just saying .. my hiv doc told me the 1 hour before/2 hours after has to do with side effects and not efficacy. And it's a general guideline based on dosing recommendations. All that being said, I'm not sure Atripla is working for me so maybe I should pay more attention to the guidelines.  :o
If i were you i would definately try and stick to the guidelines especially as you have a couple of blips, i am now on day 11 no problems just a tiny bit dizzy when having my 2 am toilet stop. i take it 11 pm everynight and if my dizziness goes completely as it seems to be fading i am going to take in the morning.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: WildcatCC on November 21, 2009, 06:20:53 pm
Clearly I need to be do something different as my numbers are going the wrong way. I just don't know about switching regimens again so soon. I want it to work but it doesn't look good. I need to discuss with my ID doc when I meet with her to review my genotype mutation in early December.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: koksi on November 25, 2009, 10:44:09 am
I started on Truvada/Sustiva 10 days ago.  (Was on Reyataz but got very sick of having jaundiced appearance).  I am noticing some variation in the wooziness or dizzyness I feel after taking it and am wondering about food in relation to this.  Is there somewhere I can look that summarizes the way that food intake impacts side effects of Sustiva?

Separately, I am feeling rather irritable and quick to anger at the moment.  I think this is related to stress at work as well as the drug. 

Also, I'm feeling less urge to snack between meals but seem to have a good appetite at meal times.  This has aided in losing the final bit of weight I have been seeking to shed so I'm rather OK with this 'side effect'.

Overall, I'm really wondering just how long the 'tolerizing' process is for Sustiva on average.  I was hoping not to notice the drug after two weeks.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: tommy246 on November 25, 2009, 12:35:53 pm
I am now on about day 20 of atripla i think great so far slight buzz 1st day or two a bit dizzy first couple of nights great appetite more energy ,mental sex drive,get viral load and cd4  results in two weeks fingers crossed.im planning to take in the morning if results are ok its suits me better and i have no dizziness anymore.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: emaros1 on December 13, 2009, 04:06:43 am
hello everyone. Writing from Italy. thank Good we have good health care here too. I found out about my positive status early JUly 2009. My viral load was okish. But last week my doctor prescribed me Atripla. I am very scared to take the medication  but right now I have no choice. I feel like when I take the pill I will turn into a vampir, diffrent life.I have been reading about some side effects like : rash, dissyness, vivid dreams. outch.
I am starting this monday. Question to you guys?? do I have to take it always on empty stomach before bedtime at same time always. ?? Or can it vary 1-3 hours. I will be in the USA west coast this winter. What do I do about 9 hours time diffrence when do I take the mediation on European time or to adjust to new time zone ?? any suggestion and support will be appreciated. Grazie. ciao.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: esper on December 13, 2009, 07:58:52 am
hi all, I've been reading this thread with interest so thought I'd chip in my experience. started Sustiva/Truvada 2 nights ago, getting ready to take 3rd dose tonight. After reading everything I could on these forums before starting, I haven't taken food for about 3 hours before taking it...that's about 9 pm which is when I hit the rack....first night more dreams than usual, woke up a couple times chuckling about something (can't remember what), second night nothing unusal and slept pretty well. also have been trying to stay hydrated, so was up a few times for the bathroom. morning up early, 5 am, and both days I've been pretty light headed, manageable but noticeable...second day a bit less than the first so hope it keeps progressing that way. I seem to get my full head back about 9 am, 12 hours after taking the dose.  Tommy and anton, I'm hoping to follow your footsteps, you both seem to have had pretty good goes of it....hope its clear sailing after a week or so. tommy, also looking forward to seeing your cd4 results when you get them....kforney and buffaloboy mention the rash so that's the next hurdle, what, day 7 to 10??  koksi, I noticed the same about eating....not much urge for snacking between meals, but hungry when I eat. I haven't noticed the irritable mood, though, hope that's just a passing condition for you (or stress at work gets sorted out!!)

Emaros, welcome to the forums....you can see we first-timers were all a bit nervous about starting Atripla but just have to get on with it...plenty of great people here with experience should questions come up. in fact, I'll let some of the more experienced med takers answer your time change question.  tommy, thanks for starting this thread and for everyone sharing their startup experiences. good luck. esper

Edited to add = tommy, just saw your new numbers in your post in the Living with HIV forum....outstanding!!
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: emaros1 on February 06, 2010, 10:07:49 pm
hello
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: emaros1 on February 06, 2010, 10:09:22 pm
hello everyone.  thank Good we have good health care here too.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: emaros1 on February 06, 2010, 11:12:32 pm
hello everyone. Writing from Italy.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: lostintx on February 08, 2010, 03:27:42 am
i know i spoke way too soon! day 10 went by and ill be damned if i dont look like i stood infront of a dart board all night at a bar. from head to toe, and soles of the feet, the palms of my hands itch like a bitch. praying this doesnt last to loing here. In tx its starting to get warm. i dont wanna be the retard wearing pants and long sleeves when its hot.  but other than the rash, no other side effects!!! yeah!! Not even half man half mouse dreams. :-( I want the good stuff lol
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: tommy246 on February 08, 2010, 11:42:21 am
i know i spoke way too soon! day 10 went by and ill be damned if i dont look like i stood infront of a dart board all night at a bar. from head to toe, and soles of the feet, the palms of my hands itch like a bitch. praying this doesnt last to loing here. In tx its starting to get warm. i dont wanna be the retard wearing pants and long sleeves when its hot.  but other than the rash, no other side effects!!! yeah!! Not even half man half mouse dreams. :-( I want the good stuff lol

The half mouse dreams have faded lol  im now on week 14 of atripla another blood test this week results at end of month hoping to be nondetectable. I have no side effects and feel great dizziness i experienced first week slowly faded away i have loads more energy, i still have good dreams but not as vivid as the first few days so no complaints .Good luck.
Title: Re: 3 days on atripla alls fine
Post by: LG on February 08, 2010, 07:07:30 pm
Have been 5 weeks on Sustiva / Truvada now. Just part of my life now. Take at 10pm, generally do not get to sleep until 1-2am. Not sure if this is due to the drugs, or lifestyle, as not working at moment so not getting tired out during day. Sleeping in late 10-11am, but sleep right through the night. Feel a little groggy first thing in the mornings. Sometimes have dreams, but no more so or more vivid than before starting the drugs. Have first blood sample being taken at end of this week to test viral load, so hoping to see a big drop. Fingers crossed.