POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: jm1953 on June 17, 2013, 10:43:13 pm
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This probably belongs in Jeff G.'s thread about Atripla/Sustiva but thought I'd throw it out there. I've been on Sustiva I think since 2002 or perhaps later. It has been very effective in combination with my other meds Emtriva, and Isentress keeping my CD4's stable in the 800's and viral load below25. Had the expected terrible LSD like nightmares when I first started Sustiva way back, and they sort of became more tolerable and less frightening as the months went on. But all of a sudden the dreams are back with a vegence. And these are worse and more vivid than before. Usually I could get up and shrug them off, but some of these dreams stick with me all day. I have alot on my plate right now making me wonder if stress can make Sustiva dreams worse. I take Ambien every night to try to take the edge off, but boom, generally in the morning before I wake up I have one like something out of a "Scream" sequel. I'm not able to take or allergic to everything else in that class, so my doc would have to rearrange my meds. Someone said if it is not broke don't fix it, and I generally would agree. Just wondering if this is an isolated episodic incident due to Stress? Anyone else had this happen or something similar? Thanks, Jeff
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So why are you still taking something that causes you terror? If your resistance allows it, change to something less terrifying.
You said if its not broke then dont fix it. It's broke
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The side effects I had came on after years of being on the drug , something one doctor tried to argue doesn't happen .
It does seems like a clear case of Atripla / CNS issues so I would make a change ... My symptoms disappeared overnight when I switched , for me it was dramatic . If it isn't the Atripla causing the symptoms you can always go back on it if you choose or need to , stopping a regimen like this isn't the same as poor adherence with a risk of resistance issues , so you have little to lose by trying something different .
You will know pretty quickly if you made the right decision .
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I can't possibly ass anything to what I wrote in the other thread. Your quality of life is important.
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I had insane dreams when I first started Atripla way back, but never as common as I would have thought. Actually what has been more of an issue for me with it aside from possibly making my anxiety issue worse, has been having trouble sleeping at night, like falling asleep. NEVER had that before meds, so I think the Atripla has caused it. However it's been great for me in many ways and very easy to take.
But I am suspecting that maybe there's a threshold for Atripla, when the drawbacks start to outweigh the initial benefits insofar as causing the fog, the anxiety, or the insomnia. When I ditch Atripla I definately plan on avoiding anything with sustiva in it.
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Dear all,
I would like to share my own experience about Atripla.
The first week I take it, I had nightmare maybe because I eat late dinner or / and I think a lot ideas, plan before I fall into a sleep.
Atripla is recommended to be taken into an empty stomach.
My current practice is: when I am on bed with Atripla, I DO NOT THINK about anything, any plan. I try to focus on only thing: is relaxing mind.
I usually praise a short sentence and image about only peaceful face who I beleive in and fall into sleep.
I just hope Atripla works for me.
I wish all of you the best.
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hello jm
It's broke, fix it, get a clear head and good night's sleep back.
That the Atripla package don;t say side effects can reoccur is probably because this has not been studied, but there are many here that will attest they do sometimes come back.
Worth getting your liver checked, also, if this hasn't been done as part of routine monitoring.
- matt
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hello jm
It's broke, fix it, get a clear head and good night's sleep back.
That the Atripla package don;t say side effects can reoccur is probably because this has not been studied, but there are many here that will attest they do sometimes come back.
Worth getting your liver checked, also, if this hasn't been done as part of routine monitoring.
- matt
Ditto!
While I didn't have the bad dreams, getting off of Sustiva changed my life. It sounds a bit melodramatic but I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
You have been such a help to me in the past. Just trying to return the favor. :)
m.