Recently diagnosed and starting meds

[kapalua]

Hello,

I was just recently diagnosed HIV positive and my doctor placed me on Atripla.  I've only been on the Atripla for a couple of days, but I'm feeling so washed out and lethargic since beginning the medication.  Is this normal?  If so, will this tired feeling pass and allow me to be active again? 

I'm having a hard enough time trying to get my head around being positive, but I don't think I can deal with all of this if my new norm is feeling this washed out and tired all of the time.

Thank you for any feedback.

Brandon

[MiniPozToyota]

hey man i am on atripla as well and the first couple of days were not to bad but felt really lazy and tired after about 2 weeks though it just became a normal thing to take my pill at 10pm once you get used to it you'll be fine just dont eat fatty foods about 2hrs before your med time or you will feel the effects of the meds more. i consider my pill like a headache pill that i have to take every night i still go out, party, drink, eat whatever i just make sure i bring a pill with me in my wallet in case in out later then my pill time.

[Ann]

Hi Brandon, welcome to the forums.

Yes, what you're feeling is normal for many people in the first few days or sometimes first few weeks when starting Atripla. It's the Sustiva portion of this three-med pill that usually causes these feelings.

However, don't despair, the feelings normally fade within a couple weeks and often within a few days. If you're still feeling this bad in a month, then you may want to discuss a med change with your doctor.

Make sure you're not eating two hours either side of taking the Atripla and try to eat as low fat a meal as possible beforehand. Take it right before you go to bed. These two things (not eating two hours either side of taking it, and taking it at bedtime) often really help with any side-effects.

Give it some more time and hopefully you'll be feeling your old self again soon.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[kapalua]

Thank you so much for your comments.  I'll stick with it and do as you suggested.  I really appreciate this forum -- everyone has been so nice and supportive.  Aside from my doctor, I really don't have a lot of people to talk about any of this and appreciate that this forum is here to help me.  Thank you again.

[Ann]

You're welcome, Brandon, that's what we're here for.

Remember, if things don't improve within a month or so, don't hesitate to discuss it with your doctor and ask about a med change. Some people do have to switch out the Sustiva portion of Atripla for a different med and it's not really a big deal, so don't worry about it and don't be afraid to bring it up with your doctor.

Not taking it on an empty (enough) stomach is often the culprit that increases side-effects with Sustiva, so keep an eye on that.

Hang in there!

[TexasPOZ]

It's going to take some time for your body to get used to the Atripla. And if the side effects continue to be too much for you to handle, talk to your doctor about changing to something else. I couldn't handle the side effects from Atripla, but the experience taught me that I had a right to play an active role in my health care and treatment. I learned to speak up for myself. But on a positive note, no one else I know has any problem at all taking Atripla, so hopefully, in a few more days, you will feel just fine. Good luck to you!