Changing from Efavirenz possibilities

[Reggie]

Just researching to hear anybody's experience or recommendations for changing from efavirenz in the atripla 1st line treatment due to the CNS side effects which although not as severe as the first month now after 7 months still unable to get meaningful sleep and just feel like in a fog for a good part of the day. My Doctor mentioned some choices which could use with the emtricitabine /tenofovir combination still;

Atazanavir
Darunavir
Raltegravir 

 I don't mind takin more than one pill but single daily dosing would be preferable as I travel a lot. In the end what really matters is one with the least side effects but understand all will have some side effects and of course effect people differently. 

I'm happy the atripla has worked to improve my cd4 count from 79 to over 300 and bring my VL to undetectable from over a million. I do sleep at night after taking it but 6 hours while before starting meds could sleep a lot longer and could also take a nap if very tired from working or working out during the day but unable to now.

Gratefull for any feedback or tips from people who have changed to a better tolerated regime. I also appreciate the PM correspondence have had from Jeff G and others with regards to this subject.

This is a great forum here, so many helpful people , in every aspect of dealing with this disease.

Cheers

Reggie

[Anqueetas]

I switch Efavirenz out because of horrible side effect. I always feel drunk and couldn't think at all. after 4 months on this pill I get UD viral load. I switch to Nevirapine and never look back. That was 2.5 years ago. Please do switch there are so many option out there now. NO need to suffer on treatment. Good luck.

[Reggie]

Thanks for your post, and great the switch has worked for you. I will look into options and also look at nevirapine, good to know. Do you have many side effects on this regime? Sleep ok?

Wish you continued success, thanks again

Cheers

Reggie

[zach]

i gave up atripla, and it saved my life. i'm no longer on a single pill. i'm up to four arv's now, truvada, norvir, prezista, isentress (raltegravir)... but i can see a point in the future when i'll able be able to transition to a single dose complera

i may have increased my pill load, and that sucks a little, but not nearly as bad as sustiva insanity, that nearly killed me. for me, its not really how many pills i have to take, its how often. i can do ten pills at once as easily as one pill once a day. it would be a hassle to take that same ten pills broken up into say three or more med calls in a day.

i have zero side effects from my current regimen, a little truvada gas the first week or so but that has completely gone away

[BKKKevin]

How about Complera?

[mecch]

i didn't deal with atripla.

Isentress (raltegravir) + Truvada has been symptom free for me for a few years. Who really knows in the long run....

Its 2x a day however.  Big deal?

[Reggie]

Thank you;
Zach
Mecch
BKKkevin
Anqueetas
 
I will discuss all with my Doctor again and see what she thinks. Nice to know your all doing well on your treatments with very little or no side effects. What I'd do to get out of the fog and sleep better again!

Cheers

Reggie