POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: ancylus on January 10, 2013, 12:47:35 pm
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Hi guys,
After being diagnosed two months ago I'll start with Stocrin and Kivexa tomorrow. I've a CD4 of 450 and a VL which is high.
I've read a lot about efavirenz and understand there are side effects that differ from person to person, but it's hard to get a rough picture. So, can anyone in a few words summarize what to expect and how to deal with it and for how long? Or perhaps send a link on where to find comprehensive info?
Thanks!
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Hi guys,
After being diagnosed two months ago I'll start with Stocrin and Kivexa tomorrow. I've a CD4 of 450 and a VL which is high.
I've read a lot about efavirenz and understand there are side effects that differ from person to person, but it's hard to get a rough picture. So, can anyone in a few words summarize what to expect and how to deal with it and for how long? Or perhaps send a link on where to find comprehensive info?
Thanks!
Have you read the information provided on this website, its pretty comprehensive.
http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/Sustiva_1615.shtml
Few words on what to expect, first day is pretty pronounced with side effects, the second day they are reduced about 50%, each day they lessen and lessen. After a couple weeks, side effects are minimal.
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Excellent, thank you for the prompt reply!
I like your comment better than the long link, it's very general.
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Firsy night on Stocrin and had no weird dreams or any side effects so far. feels good. the only dream I had was about having dreams...
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That's good news, Ancylus. Hopefully you'll be one of the fortunate people who has absolutely no problems with Stocrin.
One thing to keep in mind is that some people find their "Stocrin dreams" are influenced by what they were thinking about before bedtime. For example, watching a funny film before bed will produce pleasant, funny dreams and watching a horror film before bed will produce nightmares. Some swear by porn for an exciting night. :)
I suspect you were thinking about what sort of dreams you might have before you went to sleep.
the only dream I had was about having dreams...
I get dreams about having dreams sometimes too and I'm not even on Stocrin! They're pretty bizarre dreams - sometimes I wake up from the dream-within-a-dream only to realise (on some weird, dreaming subconscious level) that I'm still asleep in reality. Talk about mind-bending!
I have weird dreams about the forums sometimes too - the forums are somehow translated into the three dimensional world. I can't even find words to describe it and I've tried quite a few times to write a description when I've woken up. Too weird for words. ;D
Good luck Ancylus. May things continue to go well for you.
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Hi Ancylus,
I started out ok with it except the constant head fog which sorta faded after a couple months.. After about 8 months on Atripla (storcin), the nerves in my feet started going crazy.
After a ton of test my doctor says that the Efavirenz was the probable cause of the nerve damage. I switched drugs and am much better, but not the same as i once was.
this doesn't happen to everyone, i'm just giving you my experience. Switching to my current meds has been a god-send comparted to the Atripla.
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hi guys,
well, I watched Dexter before going to bed but had no nightmares, we'll see tonight what happens. I was thinking about dreams in general before bedtime so it's perhaps correct that i had such dreams. I'll let you know tomorrow on how my night was.
actually, today I was full of energy and went to a tough spinning/cykling class and was on 90% of my maximum heart rate a few times and after the class I felt well and happy all day. I guess it's very much connected to that I now feel that I can get rid of the virus, well..., by starting with the medication. Perhaps you had the same experience?
the doctors thought that Stocrin and Kivexa is a good combination since it will be better for my kidneys, I have diabetes type 1 since many years and am perfectly fine, but should be careful with some combinations. however, re the nerves it's really important so I'll ask them about such side effects.
I was diagnosed only two months ago, and it's been an interesting journey so far...
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second night done, and didn't sleep well, but that was partly of other reasons I think. no dreams.
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Now I've taken Stocrin and Kivexa for three weeks and haven't had any severe side effects besides feeling a little dizzy if I wake up in the middle of the night.
I had one funny dream, but I guess it was because of low blood sugar level.
So after all, I feel satisfied and look forward to see how my VL and CD4 has changed.
I hope it goes well for other beginners too!
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So happy today when I was told my VL went from 190,000 to 1010 after 20 days treatment. Not sure about CD4, but that will be tested later.