Traveling and Adherence

[Skint]

I am currently taking Atripla and will be traveling to Bangkok at the end of March.  My concern is the timing that I would need to take the Atripla while in Bangkok.   I live in the Central Time Zone in the US and Bangkok is 13 hrs ahead.   Strict Adherence would place my Atripla Dosing, while in Bangkok, early in the AM, rather than before bed (late PM).

Has anyone any experience in coping such a wild time change and the timing of their dose?  I am worried about the side effects of the Sustiva since this is a Business trip, and I really need to be able to focus in the all day meetings I will be required to participate.

Thanks

[newt]

I personally would just take the meds in Bangkok at the normal PM time. This would give you a "gap" of +12-13 hrs extra between doses, but as a one-off it shouldn't matter.

- matt

[ademas]

I adjust the time over a few days myself.  I don't know that it makes any difference, but it makes me feel less apprehensive about it.

I also err on the side of caution (I would rather take a daily dose 4 times over 3 days than to miss a dose altogether)--but again, that's just something that makes me feel less apprehension. 

A doctor might tell you otherwise.

[newt]

An alternative approach is to take the last dose before going East at bed time Bangkok time ie in the morning in the US (and vice versa on the trip back to the States).  Success here depends on whether you can hack any side effects in the morning (assuming you have them).

This is a very belt and braces approach, and is, to some extent, taking a does in advance to avoid a gap. 

Adjusting the dose on Atripla can be a real pain if you trip on it when you take it in the day.

- matt

[Skint]

Thanks for the advice.  I do still trip on the Atripla, but I've only been on any HIV meds for about a month now.   I'm sure it will get better.

It's amazing all the good advice ya'll offer out here.   It's very helpful.

Thanks

[Ann]

Hi Skint, welcome to the forum!

I love the tagline under your avatar - hope to see you posting more often now you know we're here.

Good luck with your business trip and meds adjustments. Let us know how it goes.

Hugs for the new guy,
Ann
xxx

[sanitex]

hello ,i am sanitex i leave in Bangok also ,i'd like to advice you to do it like this,first you normally take your meds in the usa at the night time,assuming 10pm usa which will be 10am in bkk,so your journey take about 16hours from usa to bkk so take your meds around 10pm in the flight and immediately  you arrive in bkk you have to take it and in the night in bkk you've to take it again ok .this is the best way for it.thanks