Author Topic: Truvada/Sustiva sleep issues. (Read 12794 times)

appleboy · « **on:** July 17, 2006, 07:12:22 am »

Hi ya'll,
I am having sleep issues again where falling asleep does not come easy. I am currently on Truvada/Sustiva. Has anyone on this combo used the natural sleep aid Melatonin? If so did you have any issues? I don't see any statements regarding Truvada, Sustiva and Melatonin. I have taken Melatonin before but I was not on meds at the time. I like the fact it does not make me dizzy, fall over sleepy and that it is easier to wake in the mornings than prescription and over the counter sleep aids.
Any suggestions?
AppleBoy

J.R.E. · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2006, 08:46:05 am »

Hello Apple,

I have taken melatonin before, but like yourself, it was before I had started on meds. I am not sure if melatonin may have interactions with the HIV medications.

I work the graveyard shift, so melatonin came in very useful for me, the first few months after beginning that shift. It worked very well also. And fortunately, I have no sleep issues at this point in time.

Ray

Joel90069 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2006, 01:21:47 pm »

I was on Truvada/ Sustiva for several weeks and had the same problems sleeping. I got a prescription for Ambien CR which helped a little but didn't resolve the issue. I eventually switched to Viramune and I have no problem sleeping anymore (without Ambien).

appleboy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2006, 05:08:46 pm »

I have done Viramune before too. Sustiva is working well I just have a lot more energy making sleep harder. I can deal with waking up in the morning so into whatever dream that it takes me a couple minutes to get my bearings.
Thanks for the posts
AppleBoy

OakMax1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2006, 02:14:58 am »

Having problem sleeping, not sure I went to sleep last night or the night before. I close my eyes and feel like I am aware of everything around me. I toss and turn all night.... feel like I'm in sometype of twilight sleep. I very nervous about going to work and a doctor appointment this morning...may fall asleep.....and not wake up...

Strangest damn thing, I AM NOT SURE I WENT TO SLEEP.... just hoping it wont catch up with me while at work. When taking med sometime I find it hard to take my meds on an empty stomach. Especially if I eat late.... Someone tell me I am not tripping out here and that it all in the mind... maybe this is my first side effect..... up and out of here.... and SCARED that sleep will catch up with me.... somewhere today... max

Tonight before going to bed...

headed to bed in a minute. Took one Tyenol PM and not two... Just hope I can fall asleep... I hope this past ...first real side effect... I think...

appleboy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2006, 07:09:13 am »

Yes that could be a possible side effect. I do go to sleep with effort but wake up like I was never asleep. Usually if it catches up with me I just call in sick and go back to bed then I am good till it hits me again. I have been trying the Melatonin and so far it seems to be helping. I wake up in less of a fog. Now, I have noticed to that if I take my Sustiva and Truvada at 10 pm and no later than 10:30 pm I will wake up a lot eaiser and less foggy. Now, I also try to eat 2 hrs before I take my Sustiva and Truvada and that helps a lot too. I am fine with small snacks like some ceral, oatmeal, or grits which a generally low fat before taking it. I find taking meds requires some life changes but not to the point it is consuming my life and if it makes me live longer I am all for it.
AppleBoy

TugaMan · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2006, 11:13:29 pm »

Usually, when i take them, i simply "pass out" after 30/45 minutes. Tonight is an exception.. :-S it's 4:15 here and I'm sleepless, keep thinking about things that aren't really that important... Strange chems these, eh?

OakMax1 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2006, 02:23:28 am »

Hey Apple boy and Tugaman,

Thanks, I decided that bye eating a heavier meal at lunch and medium at dinner to see if I can balance it. As for the sleeping it getting better,took a tylenol PM last night... not sure what it did to me.

Having problem on my job with taking more vacation and sick time than I had. I been given a warning that my job is in jeopardy. Kinda stress out about that... hopefully, it wont bother me.

Thanks for the advice on what a good time to eat and take meds.... I love this site because we learn more by sharing and experimenting to make things work... Just AWESOME!!!!!

Thanks! Everyone..

poznoregon · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2006, 09:45:02 pm »

I have been taking melatonin for years before meds and while on meds, I take it when I take sustiva in the evening and it works great for me. I take the 3 mg dose. I also sleep very well and fall asleep pretty quickly.

pozbro2 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2006, 06:31:08 pm »

I take an over-the-counter sleep aid with my meds, it works well for me.

midnightchatter · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2006, 08:40:37 am »

I take truvada / sustiva at 1.30am i find I'm already dropping off to sleep before they really kick in.

I sometimes feel a little cloudy when i get up around 8 o'clock with my kids but nothing much more than that. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

Brian360 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2006, 08:49:06 am »

I'm taking Truvada and I have notice that I have the same re-occurring dream for a few days and when I hit a certain spot in the dream that I am supposed to "fix" I wake up in a pool of sweat, shaking like a leaf. This has happened 6 days in a row.

Brian

ccblueyes · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2006, 09:57:57 pm »

I know that Sustiva and Truvada are the "preferred" treatment plan - Just let me vent on this one - The scientist who developed Sustiva was on a misson to make everyone experience an acid trip!!! I suffered for seven months with sleep deprivation and wild vivid dreams that NEVER stopped - a change to Viramune with Truvada and all is well. Not even the usual flushing and skin sensitivity. Plus undetectable now for the last 9 months.

Also, friends on Sustiva have told me that there secret is to take their meds with a fatty meal by 6 pm. That way the side effects of nervousness won;t affect their work. And the restless cycle is passed by 11 pm and then they can sleep. This didn't help me - but several people have recommended this.

MitchMiller · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2006, 11:52:13 pm »

I get home from a long day usually around 9:30 and then eat dinner, so I take my Sustiva right before I go to sleep. That sometimes gives me at least a window of around 30 minutes or so to try to get to sleep. I use melatonin and GABA together every night ... taking it about 30 minutes before I get into bed. It helps a lot, but I still have problems with sleep. After over 3 years of Sustiva, I still have rough sleep nights... sometimes tortured with dreams that make me sometimes feel like I've been awake all night. I've tried sleep aids and I hate them... especially the over the counter ones... they REALLY leave me with a nasty hang over, but they so seem to work. Ambien works, but leaves me with a hangover. Lunesta requires a double dose and is extremely habit forming and still doesn't work well. Rozerem just doesn't work well, even with a double dose. I've found some other things that help are antiinflamatory drugs. I sometimes take 600mg ibupropen and that helps me sleep. Also, I sometimes take an antibiotic (minocycline) that has been shown to interfere with HIV in the brain. It also makes me drowsy (a documented side effect). It works quite well and leaves me with only a medicinal taste in the morning. Also, Zanax seems to work and leaves me with no hangover. I've thought about trying valium.
My latest quest is to try GHB and/or seconal. GHB is now an FDA approved drugs for nacoleptics marketed under the name XYREM. Unfortunately, it's strictly controlled. I've read GHB is a phenomenal sleep aid. I've never tried it, so I don't know. Also, in my opinion, old fashioned barbituates make thecurrent crop of sleep aids look like cheap street drugs. Barbituates are really effective and can induce deep sleep and clear the body relatively quickly. Unfortunately, they are really hard to get. Some drug co.'s have given up making them because they can't get docs to prescribe them anymore.

newone · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2006, 12:18:11 pm »

GHB???
You ll be dancing all night....and wanting sex all night and if you eventually sleep you ll wake up tired for all the dancing and sex you had before your sleep.

Brian360 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2006, 10:38:51 am »

I totally can see eye to eye with OakMax1. His experience with Truvada/Sustiva pretty much copy my own. I hated it!! Thanks for sharing OakMax1, it hard to say if the drugs have their own specific side effect or it also depends on your body chemistry.

appleboy · « **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2006, 02:21:23 pm »

My Sustiva this time around was not nearly as bad as the first time I took it almost a year ago. I assume my body was somewhat adjusted when I took it again this time. I have been doing ok with the melatonin I take 4 if I am feel like I am not going to go to sleep. Acutally of a recent I have not taken any. My body even wakes me up about the same time every day meaning I finally got a cycle going. Thanks for all your posts!
AppleBoy

Batboy · « **Reply #17 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:23:55 pm »

I take sustiva/truvada and find that falling asleep is not a problem...staying asleep is. Since starting the meds, I seem to wake up every hour, even if only for a couple of minutes.

What I find helpful is a low dose of ativan. I started taking it before the HIV meds because I had ocassional insomnia. I was sceptical about taking any kind of sleeping pills because of that groggy morning feeling. However, this cause me to gently fall asleep, sleep thorugh the night and wake up the next morning feeling fine. It doesn't give you that sudden drop over, dead asleep feling. It's more of a gradual relaxation.

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Author Topic: Truvada/Sustiva sleep issues. (Read 12794 times)

poznoregon