(the power of) Atripla and Sleep

[AboutToStart]

I started taking Atripla 3 months ago, just before bed time. First month I slept pretty good as it just knocked me out throu the night. I had some vivid/rememberful dreams as well, but nothing too bad.
After the first month dreams started to subside and my sleep quality started to decrease. I would get less sleep and my fatigue level grew very high. I started to suspect it's the Atripla that is now causing me those sleep/fatigue problems, and thought maybe I'd better switch to morning dosing to see if it helps me sleep better at night (but haven't actually done the switch yet...)
I should also mention that I always keep at least good 2-3 hrs buffer between eating and popping the pill  to avoid elevating the Sustiva levels more than needed. However, last night, thinking I'm already "immuned" from the Atripla side effects, I dared having two pieces of chocolate about an hour before bed time. Boy oh boy, the results did not take long to come. After popping the pill I got knocked down again like I'd get in the first few days on Atripla, had vivid dreams all night long, but on the up side - I slept for 9 hours straight (with the exception of getting up twice to pee) like I haven't been sleeping for a long while...
I don't know if it was the sugar in the chocolate or the cocoa or both, but Atripla reminded me who's the real boss around here, but since it gave me finally a good (long) night sleep - perhaps it's for the better!!!

Anybody else having sleep issues with Atripla? Having to switch to morning dosing coz of it? or getting better sleep if eating right before taking it??

[GNYC09]

AboutToStart, when you say your sleep quality decreased, is it because it is a less restful sleep or because it takes you longer to fall asleep (and therefore you're sleeping less)?  In my case, it is because of the latter.  I've had to use Ambien to fall asleep most nights.  I also now eat non-fatty foods before taking Atripla without ill effects.  (Months ago, I'd feel hungover the next day if I had eaten before taking my Atripla).
Good luck.

[ruralguy]

This is a pretty good thread that touches on food, timing and sleep with atripla.  It might give you some uselful info:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=28141.0

I've found that taking it with a light snack helps me sleep thru the whole night but I suspect this varies a lot.

[AboutToStart]

AboutToStart, when you say your sleep quality decreased, is it because it is a less restful sleep or because it takes you longer to fall asleep (and therefore you're sleeping less)?  In my case, it is because of the latter.  I've had to use Ambien to fall asleep most nights.  I also now eat non-fatty foods before taking Atripla without ill effects.  (Months ago, I'd feel hungover the next day if I had eaten before taking my Atripla).
Good luck.

GNYC - I suspect taking atripla on EMPTY stomach b4 bedtime deacreses my sleep quantity. I'd wake up early (like 5-6am) and won't be able to sleep any more even if I have all day free. Even with Ambien CR I can't really sleep in late (though it's somewhat better than without it ). I don't have any problem FALLING ASLEEP as my fatigue levels are so high I just fall asleep in front the tv as early as 7-8pm

Having those two pieces of chocolate the other night actually did me good as it knocked me out and I slept in late after a long while. Also had the dreams again (started to lose them after second month..). Nothing as far as feeling hung over or groggy the next morning (like I'd feel the first couple of weeks into taking the atripla..)

Ruralguy - I'm still considering to switch to morning dosing because: a) that's when the stomach is emptiest and b) hopefully should decrease sleep problems.

I'll keep y'all posted..