POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: ik on February 08, 2011, 08:41:23 am
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After taking the Atripla I feel a little drunk and trippy an hour later (although I dont get tired). I have been taking them for about 10 days. Although its good to know I am getting the feeling of being drunk free of charge without having to goto the pub ;D I am not sure I would like this every night from now on!
Do the side effects ware off eventually so I can just take the Atripla and then carry on as normal without really feeling like I have taken it?
::)
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Hey ik,
The side effects will generally lessen with time, although they don't always.
There are a few things you can do to lessen them.
First, don't eat two hours prior to taking it. One example would be to have a light supper at 6 or 7 p.m., then eschew food for a few hours, take your pill and retire for the evening.
This is just an example, the time frame is up to you.
Also, avoid heavy, fatty or fried foods in the evening. These seem to accentuate the side effects.
I wish you much success with Atripla. It is the easiest regimen out there.
HUGS,
Mark
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Aztecan's suggestions are good ones. A typical Atripla adjustment period would be about 3 weeks.
But if after a while you know you can't hack the side effects, or don't want to put up with them, it is perfectly reasonable to talk to your doc and see about a different combination.
- matt
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I do what aztecan suggests and I take it shortly before going to bed so I can sleep through any effects. His comments about fatty foods are valid. The odd time when I've been awake for awhile after taking it lately, I have noticed that the dizziness is much less than it was when I started last November.
But I'm getting tired of the super-vivid dreams. I'm feeling a bit rattled and anxious during my waking hours, I think because I'm getting this excessive REM sleep. My specialist says it can take up to 6 months for that to diminish. I'm going to tough it out because my results have been so good - I tested undetectable after 3 weeks of treatment - and I love being able to take one pill a day.
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Thank you so much for getting back :)) it's day 15 now & side affects ie dizziness are getting better already. I generally take it about 2 hours after my evening meal as I've been told not to have with food. Would you think this is long enough after a meal. As I've been concerned that the food maybe absorbing the tablet. I think 2 hours should be ok. The good thing is I'm not having unpleasant side affects taking 2 hours after a meal. Also another question I asked & didn't really get any replies from was timings to take ATRIPLA. My time is 11pm. I stick to that Altho have had it 45 minutes before or just after 11pm. I've been told 2 hours either side is ok.
Glad to hear you are doing so well. :))) keep it up. If you could get back would be very greatful. Thank you again
Hugs & best wishes
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You can check with your pharmacist but taking any meds on an empty stomach typically means 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. Taking the pill the same time every day is good but my understanding is also that 2 hours either way is not a problem. If you forget, you should take it within 12 hours. I bought myself one of those day-of-the-week pill containers (http://bit.ly/i1obEO) to help me remember, because one night I couldn't remember if I'd taken one or not. So I may have taken two that night - my pharmacist said that was the right thing to do - better safe than sorry.
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Cheers for all your advice & to everyone else who has replied to my questions. All the best
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Ik,
To lessen your side effects, take Atripla a half hour to an hour before bed. This plan should also correspond to the 2 hours after a meal rule. Even after taking Atripla for awhile, the dizziness may briefly return so you should avoid driving and such. The package insert is very helpful with information on side effects and how to avoid them. I have vivid dreams but they are not frightening, unlike reports from some users. Meditation exercises just before bed may help with those if you get them. Interesting thought on the dreams, what if Atripla "helps" you remember dreams that you would have otherwise. Maybe the dreams were always there, now you just remember them better.
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I adjusted to Atripla in about three weeks. Hang in there!
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what if Atripla "helps" you remember dreams that you would have otherwise. Maybe the dreams were always there, now you just remember them better.
Since I was a kid I have been able to remember a lot of my dreams. I have no doubt that Atripla has increased the amount of REM sleep that occurs in my sleep cycle. My dreams are long and highly vivid but not frightening. I can feel the side effect decreasing gradually: in the past week I haven't remembered a couple of them, and they seem to be declining in intensity and length.
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@RBH > I have had some vivid dreams that I could awaken from and the go back to. ( I KNOW, SOME POWERFUL STUFF). They seem to subside for awhile and then they come back sometime. Do you know anything about them going away and coming back again.
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@drewm - No, I haven't been on it long enough to have experienced a cycle. I think a little 420 or having a beer or two earlier in the evening can be an exacerbating factor, or the aforementioned fatty food.
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Ike
I've been taking atripla now for about 3 years.For the most part that drunken feeling does go away.I still get it sometimes but not real often anymore.Your best bet might be to take your med just before going to bed.That way you can sleep through it if it bothers you.Let me know how it works out for you
Good luck
Rich
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Hi rich thanks for your msg. I only just read it today. Thanks for all the advice. I find it hard taking it just before bed as I work shifts. Sometimes I'm asleep by 10 & other nights I can be up till 3am. So I tend to take my tablet between 9pm & 11pm. Was concerned about this but my doc said a couple of hours either side would be no problem. You have been on ATRIPLA for 3 years now. Would you mind if I asked about your timings? Do you always stick to same time or is it ok between 9-11pm? Also I tend to have it after food. Evening meals differ for me but I stop eating 2 hours before taking the tablet. A couple of evenings I had it at 9pm & than
Had a meal after 11pm. I found that was ok also & had no bad side affects from it. I've just finished my first month of tablets & im going for my 1st viral load test tomorrow. Keeping everything crossed. I was 141'000 copies before I started the treatment. Thank you for your reply again rich. Hope you are keeping well & when you get a chance if you could reply, I would be very grateful.
All the best :))) thanks for your time again