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Author Topic: Starting Atripla and saying hi  (Read 19241 times)

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Offline jonesy

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  • Posts: 23
Starting Atripla and saying hi
« on: April 20, 2012, 03:03:09 pm »
hi guys,

How are we all?  Hope everyone is good. Just a quick post to introduce myself really.

I'm a 29 guy in Wales, married to an amazing and very understanding wife, and have the support of my wonderful mother and father and a few close friends/family members.

Been HIV+ for around 7 years now.  devastated to start but have become quite used to the situation with help from my support group.

All my tests till a few months ago were good, seemingly my body dealing with the virus quite well. Then my CD4 dropped to 350 to which meds were suggested.  Another test was taken which showed a jump back to 450 to my relief.  Another test 3 months later showed a drop back to 340 and a further test showing a 330.  Doctor has been amazing and talked about going on meds.  Went in Thursday, Atripla was suggested, and were picked up today....so my first night tonight.

I'm not scared of taking Atripla, and understand it is for the best in the long run, however, I am  quite anxious to get these next few weeks out the way to get a feel to what, if any, side effects I will suffer from.

Anyway, don't want to bore you all too much with my first post, but will let you know how I get on, if anyone is interested.

Cheers guys

Jonesy
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline Blue75

  • Member
  • Posts: 53
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2012, 08:34:44 pm »
Hi Jonesy,

 I'm new here too and in your wife's shoes.

My husband will start Atripla in the next week or so as well. His first initial tests, just a month ago, showed cd4 of 216. Praying both you & he have amazing results with little side effects. Glad you have support from wonderful family.
Good Luck with everything,
Blue
Husband:
2/14/12 Tested HIV+
3/16/12: CD4-216, VL-56,500
5/4/12: Started Atripla
5/7/12: CD4-184, VL-12,000 (Taken off Atripla after 3 days, awaiting liver testing) Started antibiotics.

Offline tednlou2

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  • Posts: 5,730
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2012, 02:12:33 am »
Wishing you the best for zero or minimal side-effects.  Let us know how it goes. 

Offline jonesy

  • Member
  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2012, 04:06:42 am »
Hey guys,

no bad side effects on the first night, one random dream where I was a sound guy on Family Guy and the cartoons were real, but nothing sinister thankfully.

 Woke around 3-4 hours into sleep, head was slightly "buzzing", but managed to get back to sleep.  Didn't sleep badly, woke a few times through the night, took stock of how I felt, checked the time, dozed back off.  When taking the tablets is not such a new routine I'm hoping to sleep right through.

Woke this morning to my head feeling as though it is on the verge of a headache, so been for a run to clear the "haze" and popped two paracetamol as a prevention to the headache.

thanks for the wishes tednlou2, it means a lot, and I hope to speak with you a lot more in future.

Nice to meet you aswel Blue75.  It is a bit daunting to go on the tablets to start, but I have just focused on the benefits of the meds and not read too much into the side effects.  Hopefully it will be a massive help to both of us. 

It is harder for the people sat on the side than the person dealing it I think.  I consign myself to it, and concentrate on being the healthiest i can be....my wife has to go around picking up the pieces after me though and keep me focused, I get distracted easily  :D

Not that I'm a praying man, but hope for the best for you and your husband too.

cheers

Jonesy
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline LiveLaugh

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  • Posts: 22
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2012, 05:18:38 pm »
I started Atripla 3 weeks ago.  New Diagnosis.  First few mornings I was foggy.  I dream Vivid crazy dreams every night....but always had vivid dreams and remembered my dreams. So this just adds to it.  After 8 days started a small rash on my upper legs and back. By the next day most of ny entire torso legs and arms. Of course the ID warned me of this side effect and since I am in medicine self medicated. The next day even worse. The next I looked like a ball of cherry, but because I was not having an anaphalactic type reaction( mucus membranes/respiratory ) I failed to call the ID. After 5 days and self medicating with my own remedies I had an appt with ID. He was amazed and upset I had not contacted him....lesson learned-I am now A Patient!  Anyway I tell you this because I obviously had tge 2% horrible side effect. It was ruthless....but I got through it and today....you Can't tell. I hope you have great success!  I go in three weeks to check VL!  Hope it helps you!!!!
Diagnosed
03.16.12 CD4 359  VL 359,679
04.06.12 Started Atripla
05.16.12 CD4 ---    VL    1,440

Offline jonesy

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  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2012, 02:05:53 am »
Hey LiveLaugh, that sounds horrible. Glad everything is settled for you now.  Good luck for your tests, drop back in here and let me know how you get on.

So second night on the meds and must admit that I don't recall anything.  May have woken with a slight buzz on but that is all.  This morning I have a slight "haze" but it is very, very minimal.

If I am to suffer side effects related to sleep (dreams, disturbed sleep etc) would they manifest early, or is it, fingers crossed, that I am just lucky?

I am not usually a person to suffer side effects with other medication....however, I was never the type of person who had to take any medication as i never got ill  :(

Hope everyone else is ok?  Not as many "hellos" on here as I thought. Are people shy or am I not "local"  yet  ;D

Have a good day guys
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline brenner

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  • Posts: 93
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2012, 08:54:49 am »
Hi there jonesy,
Ive been on atripla for just over a year now.  It has been a really easy drug for me to take.  The first couple of weeks were not too bad for me, and just like you, had this groggy feeling in the morning.  Coffee helped me there.  Then it just went away after a few days.  You might get a body rash in about 10 days.  Dont worry about it too much.  Its a common side effect, as your body starts adjusting to the drug.  It will go away on its own.  Ultimately, atripla stamped out my viral load, and my cd4s  are climbing steadily and i feel great.  I have a diary on my first few weeks on atripla on here.  Have a look at it if you have any questions.
And always remember, talk to your doctor if you feel somethings not right with you.  Youre going to be just fine, kiddo.
Feb 23. 2011  poz diagnosed
Feb 28.  cd4 257, vl 262400, %21
Mar 14.  start Atripla
May 18.  cd4 639, vl 690, %33
Aug 19.  cd4 583, vl 60, %38
Nov 18.  cd4 450, vl UD, %38
2012
Feb.19   cd4 649, vl UD, %35
Jun 08.  cd4 524, vl UD, %34
Sep 16.  cd4 567, vl UD, %35
Dec 02.  cd4 592, vl UD, %35
2013
Mar 10.  cd4 688, vl UD, %35

Offline jonesy

  • Member
  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2012, 03:29:07 pm »
Hi brenner,

thanks for the advice.  will search for your diaries now, will make and interesting read.  have not felt too bad today, quite lethargic, but I am positive that it is down to it being a Sunday more than Atripla.

See how I feel in the morning.  Usually wake at 5:10am on a weekday anyway which will hopefully let me adjust before work at 7:30am.  Will try and fit another jog in to clear the old noggin, and if push comes to shove, I can always blame the tiredness on that.

Thanks for the advice brenner, I will keep in touch with you for advice as I progress if that is OK?

Cheers

Jonesy
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline jonesy

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  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2012, 03:40:17 pm »
As expected brenner, it was a good read, and it seems much the same as my journey so far.  i say that like a pro, but it is only my 3rd tablet tonight  ;D

anyway, will report back with anything tomorrow.

cheers guys
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline brenner

  • Member
  • Posts: 93
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #9 on: April 22, 2012, 06:24:52 pm »
You can contact me anytime. :)
Feb 23. 2011  poz diagnosed
Feb 28.  cd4 257, vl 262400, %21
Mar 14.  start Atripla
May 18.  cd4 639, vl 690, %33
Aug 19.  cd4 583, vl 60, %38
Nov 18.  cd4 450, vl UD, %38
2012
Feb.19   cd4 649, vl UD, %35
Jun 08.  cd4 524, vl UD, %34
Sep 16.  cd4 567, vl UD, %35
Dec 02.  cd4 592, vl UD, %35
2013
Mar 10.  cd4 688, vl UD, %35

Offline Lou-ah-vull

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,029
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #10 on: April 22, 2012, 07:41:51 pm »
Welcome!  I have been using Atripla since 2007 and have had wonderful results and no side effects.  Each person's experience is different, but many on here are using Atripla and doing well.  I hope the same will be true for you.
Diagnosed Oct. 2005
10/05:  367 (26.2%), 24556 VL
01/06:  344 (24.6%), 86299 VL
04/06:  374 (22.0%), 87657 VL
05/06:  Began HAART 05/15/06, Combivir/Kaletra
07/06:  361 (27.8%), 1299 VL
10/06:  454 (32.4%), 55 VL
01/07:  499 (38.4%), UD
02/07:  Switched to Atripla 2/8/07
04/07:  566 (37.7%), UD
08/07:  761 (42.3%), UD
06/08:  659 (47.1%), UD
01/09:  613 (43.8%), UD
07/09:  616 (47.4%), UD
01/10:  530 (44.2%), UD
07/10:  636 (48.9%), UD
01/11:  627 (48.2%), UD
07/11:  840 (52.5%), UD
01/12:  920 (51.1%), UD
07/12:  857 (50.4%), 40
10/12:  UD
01/13:  710 (47.3%), UD
07/13:  886 (49.2%), UD
01/14:  985 (46.9%), UD
06/14:  823 (47.2%), UD
01/15: 1366 (45.2%), UD
07/15: 1134 (50.7%), UD
02/16: 1043 (55.1%), UD
08/16:  746  (55.4%), UD
08/16:  Switch from Atripla to Genvoya

Offline MiniPozToyota

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  • Posts: 206
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #11 on: April 22, 2012, 10:19:17 pm »
Hey I've been on Atripla for a couple months now and I love it btw I'm a male and also married and my wife is negitive. I've been poz a little over a year now and doing good my latest cd4 was 620 with VL UD but was from
A out of state hospital so I'm not really counting it bc I go there every 6months for random check ups. I normally go to a local hospital so I get tested every 3 months anyways you'll do fine on this med just remember to take it everynight and always keep a spare in your wallet just in case you are out and about, they also make a cool app if u have a smartphone called istayhealthy or pillboxie that will give u a alarm and you have to click a box to make sure u take it. Good luck if you need anything pm
me.
April 2010- tested neg.
April 1 2011 -  CD4 346 VL 46856 22%
July 27 2011- Started Atripla
(Meds are good) needed more space to update been UD now for three years. Current down below
Jun 5 2014 - CD4 704 VL UD % 44.0

Offline jonesy

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  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2012, 12:58:09 am »
hey guys,

thanks for the support and your experiences, it is all very helpful. minipoztoyota, i will hopefully talk to you more as you seem to be in the same situation as me.

Another night of nothing, sleeping like a light on the meds at the moment.  If I were to experience side effects would they happen in the first few days or any-time?

Cheers

Jonesy
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline brenner

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  • Posts: 93
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2012, 05:30:27 am »
Generally the side effects occur within the first months as your body chemistry adapts to the meds.  You may not even get any at all.  If you do, stay cool and calm.  If they really bother you, chat it out with your doctor.  But it sounds like you are on track to a very normal tolerance. 
Feb 23. 2011  poz diagnosed
Feb 28.  cd4 257, vl 262400, %21
Mar 14.  start Atripla
May 18.  cd4 639, vl 690, %33
Aug 19.  cd4 583, vl 60, %38
Nov 18.  cd4 450, vl UD, %38
2012
Feb.19   cd4 649, vl UD, %35
Jun 08.  cd4 524, vl UD, %34
Sep 16.  cd4 567, vl UD, %35
Dec 02.  cd4 592, vl UD, %35
2013
Mar 10.  cd4 688, vl UD, %35

Offline jonesy

  • Member
  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #14 on: April 23, 2012, 02:20:38 pm »
Thanks again brenner.  You will be a fountain of knowledge I can see  ;).  Had a bit of a funny feeling today in work.  General feeling crappy, warm feeling in face, dicky tummy and feeling really tired.  Not sure if this is due to running this morning and going from there, but it subsided by 2pm.

feeling generally good, eating ok, sleeping ok so just see how it goes.

hope everyone had a good Monday....or as good a Monday as anyone can have with work  ;D
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline lost_boy

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  • Posts: 110
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #15 on: April 23, 2012, 07:25:42 pm »
Hey Jonesy,

Hope you're well and good, and glad you have the support of somebody you care about! That's very important... problem shared is problem halved and all that :)

When I took Atripla I found I got a mild "buzz" in my head, not unpleasant but a weird sensation to have, especially if you stayed up late. I found that it disappeared after a  week or so of taking them. Be on the look out for any side effects but if you feel okay, it's a good start, and it's also a very forgiving drug generally. I hope you get some good results on your next check-up!

Also just to say, I live near the Welsh border, and often get over to the hills for some walking. Or to Cardiff to get lashed up ;)

Offline MiniPozToyota

  • Member
  • Posts: 206
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #16 on: April 23, 2012, 10:41:53 pm »
Hey I normally don't check post so just pm me if you need anything or just want to chat it goes directly to my email
April 2010- tested neg.
April 1 2011 -  CD4 346 VL 46856 22%
July 27 2011- Started Atripla
(Meds are good) needed more space to update been UD now for three years. Current down below
Jun 5 2014 - CD4 704 VL UD % 44.0

Offline jonesy

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  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #17 on: April 24, 2012, 01:27:39 am »
ok minipoz.

Hi lost-boy, thanks for the info. as you can tell its been pretty uneventful for me on Atipla thankfully, last night being no exception.  Slept like a log, woke up in a good mood without any haze  ;D

Cardiff is a good night out, haven't been out in a while myself though, gone off my drinking in the past few year  :-[
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline lost_boy

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  • Posts: 110
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #18 on: April 25, 2012, 08:01:38 pm »
Hi lost-boy, thanks for the info. as you can tell its been pretty uneventful for me on Atipla thankfully, last night being no exception.  Slept like a log, woke up in a good mood without any haze  ;D

Cardiff is a good night out, haven't been out in a while myself though, gone off my drinking in the past few year  :-[
Glad it feels like you are 'normalising' a bit after a few nights! It does take a while to adjust, but soon just becomes part of your routine like brushing your teeth before bed (you do brush your teeth, right??  ;D ).

Yeah, I also went off my drinking a bit following diagnosis (well, after drinking really heavily for about a month as very bad coping mechanism). But it's good to not be on the sauce, healthier for you overall! But you can still enjoy a couple of beers with Atripla and not worry, thankfully. Unless someone is willing to correct me...!  I also find it is worth carrying a couple of spare pills in your wallet if it's likely you'll be out late for some event, for peace of mind. Anyway, keep up the good work and let us know how it goes!

Offline jonesy

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  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #19 on: April 26, 2012, 01:42:22 am »
Trying to normalize as im off to Eindhoven in June for a weekend stag....oooo 'eck.

Bit of a bad day for me.  Woke up yesterday with a real bad headache, to the point it hurt to really open my eyes.  Took the day off work, stayed at home and rode it out.  Woke this morning with a headache in the same place, but not as severe.  Been for a run, thinking it may make me feel better, which I suppose it has in myself, although the headache remains.

Is it OK to take co-codomol on bad headaches?

Cheers guys
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline atlanta05

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  • Posts: 21
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #20 on: April 26, 2012, 06:44:51 am »
Hi Jonesy -

So happy to read your post - you sound like you are well on the way to a good experience with this medication. I'm in very much the same boat as you. My regimen is Stocrin (Sustiva) and Truvada - it's the same as Altripa, but in two pills. I live in Japan and Altripa isn't available here as yet.

I remember the very first night I took my two pills, as I was a little nervous, but about 30 minutes after downing them, started to feel a bit stoned - in a quite nice way! This lasted for about a week, on and off. When I would stand still, a trippy mild feeling would build up until I moved or got busy again. Fantastic symbolic dreams. Quite fun!

No side-effects apart from these, and these faded soon enough. I still have trippy dreams if I eat something sweet along with taking the meds (at least I think that's what the pattern is - 90% sure.)

You're going to do well. Keep us posted!

(sorry no advice here about the headache meds)

Offline jonesy

  • Member
  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #21 on: April 26, 2012, 11:42:14 am »
Hi atlanta05,

thanks for the support.  thanks for sharing some of your experiences on a similar drug.

The headaches will hopefully pass, but apart from it has been plain sailing.  I'm sure I have had some weird dreams, waking up thinking I must remember that, but I seem to forget all about it.

Take care and keep in touch

18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline Azrael2012

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  • Say Hello! :D
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #22 on: April 27, 2012, 04:13:33 am »
Helo, sut wyt ti?
Jonesy, I was the same when I first started my Atripla....I mustve held that orange pill in my hand for over an hour then just popped it, I was scared of starting meds, it was the possible side-effects I had read about.....I mustve been very lucky I had no side-effects apart from not being able to sleep, so no wacky dreams, no headaches, etc....Im trying to teach you how to suck eggs, the virus affects us all very differently. I hope you have no side-effects. Just make sure you leave enough time after dinner before you take it, and make sure yer meal isnt very fatty. Remember, if it doesnt agree with you or you do end up having side effects that affect your everyday quality of life, tell yer Consultant. Dont hold back, its what they are there for.
You will have loads of support here, keep us up to date with yer progress!
Cheers,
Rob

Offline Buckeyerob75

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  • Posts: 25
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #23 on: April 27, 2012, 11:14:28 am »
Hey guys... just want to say thank you to all of you who have posted here about your experiences with Atripla. Last night was my first night with it and true to what I'm reading I had the same groggy/foggy, weird buzz headache thing.

Everytime I start to get worried about this drug I just close my eyes and take a deep breath. Seems to help make the worry go away as there's nothing I can do about it anyway lol I hope my experience with it is as good as most of yours. A friend of mine said drink a lot of water with it and that seems to help dissipate some of the side effects.

Good luck to all of us!  ;)
6/2011- Tested Negative
1/2012- Tested Positive- CD4 180/VL 105,000
4/2012- CD4- 129/VL 29,000
4/2102- Started Atripla
11/2012- CD4- 157/VL 40

Offline jonesy

  • Member
  • Posts: 23
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #24 on: April 27, 2012, 12:41:06 pm »
Hey Rob,

 Iawn, Diolch, a thi?  Nice to hear your experiences, i'm learning alot from peoples different views taking the tablets. 

Hello Buckeyerib75, glad to see you're getting use out of this thread, its one of the reasons I started it.  I don't see the need to worry about the drug, just think of it as a way of getting better and all will be good.

Felt pretty normal today, no headache, not really tired (im usually tired all the time anyway, so no change being on the tablets  ;D) so all seems to be well.

1 week since I started taking it, and there has been no major issues to report.  Hopefully another 80years of the same  ;)


Have a good weekend to you all guys
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline Azrael2012

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  • Say Hello! :D
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #25 on: April 27, 2012, 12:44:46 pm »
Hey Buckeyerob75,
Dont worry about the Atripla, Im sorry I switched now and hope I can switch back, I went UD within 2 weeks of starting it, and my CD4 rocketed into the 800's. I did loose some weight as it kinda speeds up yer metabolism, so you can eat some junk food without the worry about weight gain. All ARV meds do come with side effects, so see how ya feel, and if yer unhappy tell yer doctor.
Hope yer feeling good.
Rob :)

Offline Azrael2012

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  • Say Hello! :D
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #26 on: April 27, 2012, 12:53:20 pm »
Hey Jonesy!
Sorry that shouldve read, Im NOT trying to teach ya how to suck eggs!...damn typing with no specs on! lol
Glad yer feeling okay today. Have a great weekend, enjoy our lovely UK summer pmsl!

Rob :)


Offline Bearcub201

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  • Posts: 20
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #27 on: April 27, 2012, 02:16:16 pm »
Hi All,
I started Atripla, new infection in February, in March and had some mild sleep disturbances coupled with wild dreams and a general "high" feeling. The headaches are gone now and my sleep has returned to normal but some mornings I'm still groggy till nearly lunch time. I believe that those days are the ones where I had fatty foods too close to taking my pill.
The way I understand it, efavirenz and tenofovir, when taken with a high fat meal increases the speed at which those two meds are absorbed.

Overall, I seem to be doing well on Atripla. My viral load dropped by over 4,000 log in the course of a month from 2.7 million to 26,000 copies. It's my hope that it'll be UD when I go in for a checkup in July.  ;)

Good luck everybody, and welcome Jonesy!

Offline MarkB

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  • Posts: 292
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #28 on: April 28, 2012, 07:10:55 am »
Bobol bach, mae 'na Gymry Cymraeg eraill yma!

 ;D

Welcome, Jonesy − keep us posted as to how it's going.

Offline Hellraiser

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  • Posts: 4,155
  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #29 on: April 28, 2012, 10:06:29 pm »
Bobol bach, mae 'na Gymry Cymraeg eraill yma!

 ;D

Welcome, Jonesy − keep us posted as to how it's going.

Is that Gaelic?

Offline Buckeyerob75

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  • Posts: 25
Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #30 on: April 28, 2012, 10:12:23 pm »
So for all of us on Atripla here's a question about how they package this thing.

It's a combination of 3 brand drugs as I understand it- Sustiva, Truvada, and Viread right? So I see there is a generic for each of these drugs- Sustiva is Efavirenz, Truvada is Emtricitabine and Viread is Tenofovir Disoprovil Fumarate.

Since the drug company combined these 3 drugs it effectively took the generic version out of play and Atripla became a brand drug again I believe and is that why the cost is like $2,200 per month??

Would it make sense to just ask my doc to prescribe me the 3 generic drugs separately so I could take advantage of the significantly reduced cost? It doesn't bother me one bit to take 3 pills at the same time vs. 1 pill if it's going to save $1,500+ a month.

Any thoughts on this??
Thanks as always for your input.  :D
6/2011- Tested Negative
1/2012- Tested Positive- CD4 180/VL 105,000
4/2012- CD4- 129/VL 29,000
4/2102- Started Atripla
11/2012- CD4- 157/VL 40

Offline Hellraiser

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #31 on: April 28, 2012, 10:31:34 pm »
So for all of us on Atripla here's a question about how they package this thing.

It's a combination of 3 brand drugs as I understand it- Sustiva, Truvada, and Viread right? So I see there is a generic for each of these drugs- Sustiva is Efavirenz, Truvada is Emtricitabine and Viread is Tenofovir Disoprovil Fumarate.

Since the drug company combined these 3 drugs it effectively took the generic version out of play and Atripla became a brand drug again I believe and is that why the cost is like $2,200 per month??

Would it make sense to just ask my doc to prescribe me the 3 generic drugs separately so I could take advantage of the significantly reduced cost? It doesn't bother me one bit to take 3 pills at the same time vs. 1 pill if it's going to save $1,500+ a month.

Any thoughts on this??
Thanks as always for your input.  :D

When you take them separately it isn't a once a day regimen, one of the drugs requires a second dose at some point (multiple of them may).  So it's not quite that easy.

Offline buginme2

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #32 on: April 28, 2012, 10:54:15 pm »
So for all of us on Atripla here's a question about how they package this thing.

It's a combination of 3 brand drugs as I understand it- Sustiva, Truvada, and Viread right? So I see there is a generic for each of these drugs- Sustiva is Efavirenz, Truvada is Emtricitabine and Viread is Tenofovir Disoprovil Fumarate.

Since the drug company combined these 3 drugs it effectively took the generic version out of play and Atripla became a brand drug again I believe and is that why the cost is like $2,200 per month??

Would it make sense to just ask my doc to prescribe me the 3 generic drugs separately so I could take advantage of the significantly reduced cost? It doesn't bother me one bit to take 3 pills at the same time vs. 1 pill if it's going to save $1,500+ a month.

Any thoughts on this??
Thanks as always for your input.  :D

No.  At least not in the United States, Europe, or Australia.

The components of Atripla, either as a all In one pill or taken individually, are not yet available as generic.    They are available in generic form in some developing countries (such as India, Thailand, Brazil).  However, these were made available as generic to these countries due to the high cost. 

Don't be fancy, just get dancey

Offline MarkB

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #33 on: April 29, 2012, 06:30:31 am »
Is that Gaelic?

No: it's Welsh − which, together with Breton and Cornish, belongs to the so-called 'P' Celtic side of the linguistic family, rather than the 'Q' Celtic languages, which include Irish and Scots Gaelic, and Manx (the last native speaker of which died in 1974). There are speakers of both Cornish and Manx today, although technically these are classed as revived languages.
« Last Edit: April 29, 2012, 06:42:31 am by MarkB »

Offline Hellraiser

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #34 on: April 29, 2012, 01:11:40 pm »
No: it's Welsh − which, together with Breton and Cornish, belongs to the so-called 'P' Celtic side of the linguistic family, rather than the 'Q' Celtic languages, which include Irish and Scots Gaelic, and Manx (the last native speaker of which died in 1974). There are speakers of both Cornish and Manx today, although technically these are classed as revived languages.

I'm ethnically welsh, so I've always been fascinated by the language.  The word structure is so odd.

Offline MarkB

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #35 on: April 29, 2012, 01:20:28 pm »
The word structure is so odd.

Don't know why you think it's odd - it makes perfect sense to me.

 ;)


Offline spacebarsux

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #36 on: April 29, 2012, 02:45:22 pm »
No: it's Welsh − which, together with Breton and Cornish, belongs to the so-called 'P' Celtic side of the linguistic family, rather than the 'Q' Celtic languages, which include Irish and Scots Gaelic, and Manx (the last native speaker of which died in 1974). There are speakers of both Cornish and Manx today, although technically these are classed as revived languages.

Our Goderator is sort-of Manx.   ;D

MarkB, I think Welsh sounds fascinating. It always intrigued me how vastly different it sounds to English considering Wales and England have been next to each other since forever.

I mean here in India, there are over 30 distinct recognised languages (and thousands of dialects) but neighbouring States have similar languages that are virtually mutually intelligible, much like in Western Europe: such as Spanish-Portuguese or Dutch-German and so on. So what happened between the Celts and the English?

Welcome to the forums Jonesy.  :)
Infected-  2005 or early 2006; Diagnosed- Jan 28th, 2011; Feb '11- CD4 754 @34%, VL- 39K; July '11- CD4 907@26%,  VL-81K; Feb '12- CD4 713 @31%, VL- 41K, Nov '12- CD4- 827@31%

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #37 on: April 29, 2012, 02:59:30 pm »
So what happened between the Celts and the English?

The same thing that happened between the Basques and the Spanish/French -- pushed out by invading Germanic people.

IIRC Finnish has nothing to do the Swedish/Danish/Norwegian languages, and is closer to Hungarian.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Rev. Moon

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #38 on: April 29, 2012, 03:19:37 pm »

IIRC Finnish has nothing to do the Swedish/Danish/Norwegian languages, and is closer to Hungarian.

You are (partially) correct.  It is related to Estonian.
"I have tried hard--but life is difficult, and I am a very useless person. I can hardly be said to have an independent existence. I was just a screw or a cog in the great machine I called life, and when I dropped out of it I found I was of no use anywhere else."

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #39 on: April 29, 2012, 03:38:15 pm »
You are (partially) correct.  It is related to Estonian.

"partially correct" would mean you think I am partially incorrect -- however I made no mention of the Estonian language. Having actually been to visit Tallinn a mere five years ago I am well aware that it's related.

Now please allow me to return to my snack of wild boar salami thankyouverymuch.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Rev. Moon

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #40 on: April 29, 2012, 04:10:40 pm »
"partially correct" would mean you think I am partially incorrect -- however I made no mention of the Estonian language. Having actually been to visit Tallinn a mere five years ago I am well aware that it's related.

Now please allow me to return to my snack of wild boar salami thankyouverymuch.

Nah, I don't think you are incorrect.  It's just semantics.  Well, Finnish and Hungarian are only related in the sense that they're both Uralic languages.  It is sorta-kinda like the relation that exists between English and German.  Finnish and Estonian are Finno-Ugric (I mentioned Estonian only because it is the closest "sister" language to Finnish), while Hungarian is Ugric (and has no "relatives" in its immediate family).

Here's a doc that explains it a bit more in detail.  Unfortunately, it is a wall of text.

http://www.histdoc.net/sounds/hungary.html

Oh, and isn't Tallinn adorable? 

Enjoy your non-kosher wild pig sammich  :P
"I have tried hard--but life is difficult, and I am a very useless person. I can hardly be said to have an independent existence. I was just a screw or a cog in the great machine I called life, and when I dropped out of it I found I was of no use anywhere else."

Offline jonesy

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #41 on: April 30, 2012, 01:38:16 am »
Hey all, nice to see the Welsh language causing a bit of a stir  ;D

Just a quick report in.  Nothing to say really.  Sleeping ok, no headaches, no real "high" feeling, nothing.  I am a little more tired during the day, and come 9:30pm I'm ready to sleep, but that could be due to changed diet and more exercise too, so all good I believe

Booking an appointment for later in the week to get my liver/kidney functions checked out so will report back if anything is amiss.

have a good one guys
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline jonesy

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #42 on: May 05, 2012, 04:19:25 am »
Hey y'all,

All is still good with me.  There has been sod all to report so thought I'd save clogging up the forum.  Went to the GUM yesterday to have blood taken to check Kidney and Liver functions so hopefully all will come back good as this drug is giving me no problems at all.

Anywho, hope all you guys are good?  I'm off away for bank holiday now, so speak in a few days.

Cheerio

Jonesy
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline jonesy

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #43 on: May 16, 2012, 08:21:41 am »
Hi all, hope everyone is well?

Just a quick question. Over the past few weeks, my head has been a bit fuzzy, seem constantly tired, have headaches (not painful but just there, and my sex drive has drastically reduced. Is this others have experienced starting out on Atripla, or is it likely something else?

Cheers guys, look forward to your help
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline Ac75088

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #44 on: May 16, 2012, 10:27:25 am »
Welcome to the A-Team!!

Glad u are doing well, but sorry u are dealing with some headaches, etc..The only real side effect I ever had was disturbed sleep at first, and every once in a while I have a sleepless night but it's becoming more rare..Just hang in there and hopefully in time, ur side effects will disappear completely..Been a little over a year since I started Atripla and I feel great compared to how I felt before I started..And I LOvE my dreams lol.

Offline martind-28

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #45 on: May 16, 2012, 03:50:18 pm »
Started Atripla last month,  zero side affects.  Took me off Truvada and Lexiva.  Truvada was terrible on me.  I take the Atripla just before I go to bed.  If I stay up after taking it I get a terrible metallic taste in my mouth.

Offline sshortguy1

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #46 on: May 16, 2012, 04:32:48 pm »
sorry to hear about those with negative side effects the only thing i have was tend to been alittle sluggish, other than that been doing good from i seen from the the very beginng is pank attacks worrying too much of the side effects even though i don't take mine daily which i should but my dr said my test results are ridiculous good cd4 going up v/l going down test results in 2 weeks should be undetectable

Offline jonesy

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #47 on: May 19, 2012, 06:31:36 am »
i don't take mine daily which i should but my dr said my test results are ridiculous good cd4 going up v/l going down test results in 2 weeks should be undetectable

You don't take your Atripla every day?  why?

Anyway, went for more liver/kidney function tests and asked them to check testosterone too....feel stupid now though as had sex the day after and feeling a lot more with it now.  At least I will know for definite now though.

Hope everyone is good.  Just got back in from a run and feel like a million bucks at the moment. 

Been having some dreams too....they are not what I thought they would be.  They are not over the top, they are not strange, they just seem real.  Been quite looking forward to going to bed the past few nights :)

Take care guys and speak soon

Jonesy
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline northernguy

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #48 on: May 19, 2012, 03:24:50 pm »
I've been on Atripla couple years.  Its been very effective dealing with the virus, but it still disturbs my sleep and gives me crazy dreams.  My doc thinks Complera will soon be added to what's covered here, so I may switch.  He thinks the makers of Sustiva will see a huge drop in sales as Complera becomes more established. The other option is switching out the Sustiva component for nevirapine or etravarine.
Apr 28/06 cd4 600 vl 10,600 cd% 25
Nov 8/09 cd4 510 vl 49,5000 cd% 16
Jan 16/10 cd4 660 vl 54,309 cd% 16
Feb 17/10 Started Atripla
Mar 7/10 cd4 710 vl 1,076 cd% 21
Apr 18/10 cd4 920 vl 268 cd% 28
Jun 19/10 cd4 450 vl 60 cd% 25
Aug 15/10 cd4 680 vl 205 cd% 27
Apr 3/11 cd4 780 vl <40 cd% 30
Jul 17/11 cd4 960 vl <40 cd%33
April 15/12 cd4 1,010 vl <40 cd% 39
April 20/12 Switched to Viramune + Truvada
Aug 2/12 cd4 1040, vl <40, cd% 38
Oct 19 cd4 1,110 vl <40 cd% 41

Offline Tar Heel

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #49 on: May 19, 2012, 05:44:06 pm »
Infected in 2005
Started meds (Atripla) in 2009

Side effects for me:
-sedated a hour after taking (but it helps with sleep)
-groggy the morning after for a few weeks but that goes away
-BIZARRE dreams, but they are not nightmares.  I just wake up thinking WTF was I thinking before I fell asleep!

I feel blessed I just have to take one pill a day. 

Good luck!
"So much has been given to me that I have no time to ponder on that which has been denied." ~ Helen Keller

Offline sshortguy1

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #50 on: May 21, 2012, 11:49:02 pm »
im on it too been on atripla since jan this yr the last dream was working at a fast food restaurant bizzare as it was in the dream didn't make sense

Offline jonesy

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #51 on: May 31, 2012, 06:16:10 am »
Just a quick update.

All is good, back in 3 months for my results now. Liver and kidney functioning fine, very limited side effects so all is good.


Did ask for testosterone tests, which came back low so being put on gel to bring it back up.

Can't complain otherwise. Hope everyone is well?
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

Offline sshortguy1

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #52 on: May 31, 2012, 09:13:43 am »
kind of like the bizarre dreams though , but when i get up it takes awhile , when i went to the dr a few days ago cd4 count was 435 ul and this time 357 L. still got to dr monthly to take blood , hate that

Offline LiveLaugh

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #53 on: June 01, 2012, 04:23:23 pm »
Hey LiveLaugh, that sounds horrible. Glad everything is settled for you now.  Good luck for your tests, drop back in here and let me know how you get on.

So second night on the meds and must admit that I don't recall anything.  May have woken with a slight buzz on but that is all.  This morning I have a slight "haze" but it is very, very minimal.

If I am to suffer side effects related to sleep (dreams, disturbed sleep etc) would they manifest early, or is it, fingers crossed, that I am just lucky?

I am not usually a person to suffer side effects with other medication....however, I was never the type of person who had to take any medication as i never got ill  :(

Hope everyone else is ok?  Not as many "hellos" on here as I thought. Are people shy or am I not "local"  yet  ;D

Have a good day guys

Still having CRAZY bizarre dreams.  Helps me sleep.  Very tired during the day, but nothing I cant force myself to get past.  Just one of those things that if I MAKE myself do something Im GOOD.  If I Sit and think...Im tired...YUP...Im Tired. 

I love the fact that I went after less than 6 weeks and My Vl went from 359,679
down to 1,440!!!  I am amazed. And hoping by next month to be Undetectable.  I hope you are doing well. 

I had Miagraines Prior to starting atripla.  So I am on meds for the same and still have the headaches.
Diagnosed
03.16.12 CD4 359  VL 359,679
04.06.12 Started Atripla
05.16.12 CD4 ---    VL    1,440

Offline sshortguy1

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #54 on: June 02, 2012, 12:24:34 pm »
been on atripla, its pretty good to sleep and all dreams are cool , but takes time to get back into the groove of things

Offline jonesy

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Re: Starting Atripla and saying hi
« Reply #55 on: July 05, 2012, 02:10:02 pm »
quick reply guys,

called for my results today.  CD4 up to 340 from 320 and viral load down from 48,000 to 220.  :)
18/04/2012 - CD4 - 330 / VL 48,000 Atripla started

 


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