Atripla, Sustiva Component Linked to Neuron Damage

[tednlou2]

http://www.poz.com/articles/hiv_efavirenz_neurocogntive_761_22999.shtml

[MitchMiller]

Science has just reached what common sense told most of us ten years ago!

Anything akin to a small dose of LSD taken on a daily basis can't be harmless. 

Or after thinking about it, Sustiva is a bit more like PCP than LSD!

[mikeyb39]

unfortunately i knew this about a year ago.....my first regimen was Atripla and took it for a year, then my feet started going numb along with my hands and arms.  Doctor switched me off Atripla, but the nerve damage was already done.  i don't think its as worse as some since after i switched medication, but i stilll get the tingly and burning in my feet.  approx 5 to 10 percent of folks that take Atripla causes neuropathy symptoms.

So if a doctor tells you that Atripla is completely safe, be aware and keep an eye on your body and how it feels.  i woke up one day and my feet were numb. i don't have the numbness in my feet now, but still have the tingles and burning which is good some days and other days the flare up come and my feet and hands rebel against me.

[Common_ground]

Mikey, did you know for sure it was the efavirenz, and if so how did you come to that conclusion?
I have read that HIV itself can cause neuro problems and since it didnt resolve (?)when you switched could it be due to the virus? Or maybe a combination of both...

Reading things like this of course makes a efavirenz user like me worried. Im doing ok on Stocrin/Truvada but to get permanent nerve damage is a bit more than the previously talked about vivid dreams, anxiety and high cholesterol. Especially if its avoidable.

[mikeyb39]

my doctor was quite sure it was the atripla which is why he took me off it,  my numbness went away after being off it for 3 weeks, but the tingling and burning comes and goes still....my neurologist said the same thing......it only effects about 5 to 10 percent of folks so i wouldnt worry about it to much, i was just one of the unlucky ones i guess....neuro didnt think it was the hiv since my numbers are high and have been ud since i started meds.