Can a doctor find out If I stopped taking Atripla by lab test?

[thomasgrn]

My reason being is I want to die, so I am going to quit taking atripla and wait. Death sounds so comfortable to me, it's all I think about. Been to 2 psychiatrists, their bullshit pills don't work with me.

[Jeff G]

One of the side effects of Atripla suicidal ideation . I had the same side effect and it went away after a med change .

Your doctor cant make you take meds and I think you know that … talk to your doctor and tell them you are having thoughts about harming yourself … I cant believe your doctor or therapist kept you on Atripla once they know you had an issue with depression, Atripla is contradicted in people with mental health issues. If you doctor wont change your meds, find a new doctor.

[Ptrk3]

Please see a doctor and suggest a med change, per Jeff's suggestion.  This forum just lost a beloved contributor to depression (David, aka Miss P).  Let there be no others.  Please get the help you need.

[leatherman]

I'm sorry to hear you feel this way; but you definitely need to talk with your HIV doctor.

First because some of the side effects of Atripla can be depression and suicidal thoughts! Secondly, it will probably take years for you decline enough to die of AIDS. Plus death by AIDS is a horrible, slow, terrible death.

Please call your doctor immediately! You need to get off of Atripla and onto another regimen!

and to answer your topic title/question, Yes. Your rising viral load, falling cd4, and failing health will certainly alert your doctor to your non-adherence - long before you could die.

[Mightysure]

Atripla should be taken off the market!!  Too many people experience nasty side effects.  OP please don't suddenly stop all treatment.  Ask your doctor for another I .  They'll have no choice but to give you something else.  If no,  find one who will.  Please don't do this because when the effects is Sustiva wear off,  you'll regret risk resistance.  Give yourself to try something else before you give up
You should also seek counseling of some sort.  I agree that psychotropic meds are usually unnecessary,  but please don't throw in the towel.  There are so many treatment options.

[RobbyR]

Get off of Atripla! Call your doctor asap & if they don't do anything get a new doctor. It nearly ruined my life by making me suicidal & giving me horrendous panic attacks, palpitations, & severe depression. Nobody cared, not one person. But it's ok because I stopped taking it on my own.

 It gave me a bad wired feeling nearly all the time. I spent nearly a year in a terrible period of anxiety & depression and the doctors didn't do anything about it until I demanded to be taken off of it. I saw numerous therapists and not a single one of them ever asked if I was on Atripla or made a connection. That shit isn't worth it! Plus it ruined my sleep & gave me insomnia, which only makes anxiety worse. Don't wait get off of this med asap there are a lot of way better alternatives I am on one now that's not perfect but way better than Atripla. It's just nasty! Call the doc and tell them you're having major issues & tell them you're stopping taking it and I bet they'll listen then.

[nxt1001]

You don't want to die of AIDS. It will be slow and painful. You'll have to wait at least a couple years or more before it even becomes aids. Then you'll spend the next few years in terrible agony as you get sick over and over again. Imagine the last time you had the flu. Now think about that being constant for years. Is that really how you want to go?

If you're thinking about suicide tell your HIV doctor. They will know what to do. Whether that means switching meds, or finding an antidepressant, or referring you to a competent psychiatrist. I know it can be hard to bring this up to your doctor. I've been in that position where I have thoughts of suicide but I'm scared to tell anyone. They can't commit you or make you do anything you don't want just for thinking about suicide, but they can help you to get through this without hurting yourself. And you don't have to just see a psych, you can tell your HIV doctor about it.

None of your doctors can make you do anything. If you decide to stop taking your meds, that's ultimately your decision. But at least talk to your doctor first, he might be able to help.

The fact that you're posting on here tells me that there's a part of you that still wants to live that is asking for help.

[red_Dragon888]

My reason being is I want to die, so I am going to quit taking atripla and wait. Death sounds so comfortable to me, it's all I think about. Been to 2 psychiatrists, their bullshit pills don't work with me.

I was on Atripla too long, a year at least.  I would be alright until noon, then I would feel so tired that I'd experience darkness fall all over me.  Not just sleepy but a deep hard physical depression.  Luckily it was effecting my liver and kidneys so I had to switch meds therefoe so long physical depression.  That physical depression could translate to a mental depression but I kept telling myself it was the drug.  Change medication for this side effects sucks.

Atripla was my first meds and that first night sleep was filled with a nightmarish dream and feeling like hell in the morning.  Worst sober hangover ever.  I stop taking it for months without telling my doctor.  When I changed docs and switch meds life became better and what it once was.  I suggest to find meds that have no side effects.  The ones I am taking now for me have zero side effects.

[red_Dragon888]

Do Not feel you are locked to only this meds.  If your doc won't let you switch, switch doc and change meds.

[red_Dragon888]

Make sure he is a specialist for people with HIV.  Some are more knowledgeable than others.