allergic to Atripla any ideas on substitutes

[linlin]

i started Atripla after being scared to death  of finding out i was hiv and it was so bad (cd299) and then scared even more of the side effects i struggle with being very overweight and i suffer from migraines. so finally i started them and  after 6 days i looked and felt  like i had a 3rd degree sunburn  from head to toe.. went to er yes i was allergic to something in it and had to stop it  and immediatly go on iv , prednisone, benadry etc to flush out. now im switching doctors because the one who prescibed it didnt answer my pages for days leading me to have to go to er and miss work etc.. so i am scared again to start a new med , weight gain, etc.. any ideas of what might be as easy on me as atripla but not have the same combo i am allergic to.. need opinions before doctor prescribes and i waste more $. the atripla cost alot  and there unusable.. any ideas .. thanks

[Inchlingblue]

Do you know what your resistance profile is? This would impact the decision as far as what to go on. If you went off Atripla and didn't replace it with anything immediately there's a possibility that you may have developed resistance to the meds in Atripla. You likely will have to get a resistance profile done so you know what your options are for another combo.

What was your viral load when you started Atripla?

[Assurbanipal]

Hi linlin

Sounds like the first thing you need to do is to find a doctor that you can trust and feel that you can have a good discussion with.

There's lots of different drugs available, so just because you had a reaction to one drug doesn't mean things won't work out for you.  The lessons on this site have a whole section on the different drugs to start on and there are more if those are not a match. http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/WhenToStart_4759.shtml

But your best bet would probably be to find a doctor you can work with, who listens to your concerns and is willing to explain why he thinks a particular set of drugs is best.  Then you can talk to him about what he thinks are the best options, do some reading yourself and come to a decision that both you and your doctor are happy with.

A

[linlin]

thanks for the input i was only on Atripla 6 days and it was first time on meds.. my cd count is 299
vl 75,800   the doctor was nice but then when i needed help wasnt available so i have a new appointment with another id doc.. they are very few in my area unless u go to a clinic and the clinics here are in very very bad areas so its hard.. i will go to new guy on the 14th hopefully he will suggest the resistance test but at least i know about it now and that he should take it.. im scared to death but i will try .. just wish i had someone physically to be with me thru all this but i dont.. will keep update on here..

[skecherkid]

I had a similar experience with going on Atripla.  My lesson learned is when going on or switching meds, make sure your doctor gives you a way to get in touch, and isn't about to go on vacation or something.  I started in mid-December, not aware that my doctors' office closed for a week and a half around the holidays.  Luckily I am in a large city and had access to other experts on short notice.  Took me about two weeks to get over the extensive rash and fever I had. 

Good luck!

[Assurbanipal]

thanks for the input i was only on Atripla 6 days and it was first time on meds.. my cd count is 299
vl 75,800   the doctor was nice but then when i needed help wasnt available so i have a new appointment with another id doc.. they are very few in my area unless u go to a clinic and the clinics here are in very very bad areas so its hard.. i will go to new guy on the 14th hopefully he will suggest the resistance test but at least i know about it now and that he should take it.. im scared to death but i will try .. just wish i had someone physically to be with me thru all this but i dont.. will keep update on here..

Just discarding a doctor and choosing a new one may not be the most effective approach.  Now that you are starting a new relationship with a doctor it is important to have common expectations about how you will work together.  If you don't have anyone to go with you to the first appointment you might want to write down a list of topics and send it over in advance (bring a copy with you too).  Since you had an experience where your expectations were not met it is important that you address how you expect to work with this doctor up front.  And don't feel embarrassed about it; it is helpful to the doctor too -- that way you aren't expecting him to read your mind.

Be polite, assume good will on his/her part, but be sure you tell him what you needed that didn't happen and how you expect to work together.

Good luck
A

[dtwpuck]

Do you know what component of atripla is causing the allergy?   I had severe reactions to sustiva myself and switched to Abacavir + Viramune.  (Epzicom + vir now).  I did that in 2001 and am still on it. 
My primary side effect is nasty acid reflux, which I control using drugs.

I'm a strong proponent of switching if you cannot tolerate a particular combination.  There are lots of alternatives these days, too many to risk a reduction in quality of life.

It's hard not to stress about it; but don't hesitate to change to something else.


Sorry to hear about your rough time.  Hugs.