Re: The Sustiva/Atripla Thread

[GablesD]

Hey everyone!  I've been on Atripla for about 5 years now.  I've had to change my regimen 4 times since 2003 because of a multitude of issues.  I still complain to my doctor about fatigue, aches and pains, and insomnia.  The insomnia is the worst with fatigue coming in a close 2nd (probably related).  Also, since I've been on Atripla, my virus has mutated to a 'Super Virus' which frankly scared the hell out of me!  Doc says they usually see this mutation after a poz has unprotected sex with another poz but hell, I haven't even laid next to another for almost 5 years.  I have found that since I COMPLETELY stopped eating fast foods, the fatigue is at least tolerable.  Insomnia is still a problem.  Now, hearing that others have cognitive issues is a little scary.  I thought I was just 'quirky' but I often find myself "spelling" things in my head...Hmmm wonder if that's a cognitive thing.

[Jeff G]

Hey everyone!  I've been on Atripla for about 5 years now.  I've had to change my regimen 4 times since 2003 because of a multitude of issues.  I still complain to my doctor about fatigue, aches and pains, and insomnia.  The insomnia is the worst with fatigue coming in a close 2nd (probably related).  Also, since I've been on Atripla, my virus has mutated to a 'Super Virus' which frankly scared the hell out of me!  Doc says they usually see this mutation after a poz has unprotected sex with another poz but hell, I haven't even laid next to another for almost 5 years.  I have found that since I COMPLETELY stopped eating fast foods, the fatigue is at least tolerable.  Insomnia is still a problem.  Now, hearing that others have cognitive issues is a little scary.  I thought I was just 'quirky' but I often find myself "spelling" things in my head...Hmmm wonder if that's a cognitive thing.

I moved your thread into its its own so that it gets the attention it deserves on its own .
Your doctor probably meant you have some resistance issues and misspoke when he called it a super-virus . I'm sure others will come along and discuss the issue with you .

Welcome to the forums !!! 

[Miss Philicia]

1) of course you are fatigued if you are having insomnia

2) what is your doctor doing to solve your insomnia -- if your reply is "nothing" then that's a problem; also, what is the nature of your insomnia as that's a broad term actually. How many hours of sleep are you averaging per night? Have you been evaluated for anxiety and/or depression issues which can contribute/cause insomnia? Even with knowing that Atripla can cause insomnia there are often co-factors, especially if you were having insomnia before beginning Atripla.

3) without knowing why you've changed regimens already four times in the past decade it's hard to offer advice on solving insomnia by changing to yet another regimen

4) I am not sure how to reply to a doctor that screams "OMG SUPER VIRUS" -- can you be more forthcoming on what's gone on here, as in you had one genotype test before starting treatment and suddenly you became resistant to a regimen, another genotype was taken (when/what year?) and the results showed what?