Starting Atripla

[Seeker]

Had my second visit with specialist today and went over my numbers....since getting results testing positive 8/3/09  -blood work taken my first visit CD4 was 198 found out today VL is 131,090   It appears  that I"ve been positive for years and didn't know it....at first visit was prescribed Bactrim which I took for 2 weeks with little problem and then had a reaction and had to stop....starting tonight on Atripla.....read a lot about potential side effects but hoping for the best and we'll see how it goes....

[GNYC09]

Seeker, I'm sorry to hear the news but wanted to welcome you to the boards.  My CD4 and VL levels were pretty close to yours when I found out and I also had it for years without knowing.  I am wondering if you've been put on another prophylactic such as Dapsone since you can't take the Bactrim anymore. 
Good luck with the Atripla and keep us posted 

[ruralguy]

I start Monday or Tueday night.  If you can post here and keep us updated.  And good luck.

[Seeker]

so far so good....I was really diizzy when I first woke up this morning and just had to take it slow and got much better as the morning went on---glad I was able to start on the weekend when things aren't quite the same as Monday morning!  As the day has gone on haven't really been bothered--sort of something that I'm aware in terms of feeling a little "different"-but nothing to keep me from doing what I need to--so feeling good.....and this is the only medication I'm on--wasn't given anything else when I stopped the Bactrim......hoping for the best and thanks for your good thoughts...

[ruralguy]

Glad to hear it is going well for you.  I started last night and didn't have any problems.  I'm a little spacy this morning but not bad and it will pass.  I'm relieved.

[Miss Philicia]

Seeker, sorry to hear of your diagnosis, and though <200 cd4 calls for taking something like Bactrim it's good that you tested when you did instead of, say, 18 months from now when you'd have had many less t-cells.  You should be able to get that count up to a safer level rather quickly.

As with any antiretroviral medication often we must allow our bodies to adequately acclimate so try to push through the first 3-4 weeks of feeling weird and you should be fine.

[ohboy!504]

Sunday will mark my first month on Atripla, My side effectes are starting to where thin, I remember being very dizzy in the morning, but I dnt have that problem anymore, I puked after my first dose, LOL, but not anymore after that.I go to my first doctors appointment after starting treatment on Oct 1