Atripla and Anxiety?

[VikkMathis]

I recently posted a question regarding Atripla and sleep disorder, but there was one other thing I wanted to talk about. I'm not really sure if it's the medication, the dreams, the fact that I'm not secure with my HIV statues, or if it's just all in my head.

This has been going on since I've been taking meds way before Atripla even came into the picture. I first found out I was positive in 1999 and by January 2000 I was taking Combiviar and Substiva. Around late 2007 or early 2008 my doctor switch me to Atripla and I've still been having this problem. At first (the first doctor I was see about this) couldn't understand what was going on and didn't really have an answer for my problem. My new doctor also doesn't have an answer but did put me on Lorazepam to treat the Anxiety I've been having lately.

I can be in the middle of a sound sleep and all of a sudden without warning wake up thinking I'm having a heart attack or something. Usually my heart is beating really fast and I feel as if I'm about to pass out and die or something. It's very scary and although nothing serious has ever happen I still to this day can't get use to it or get it under control. Whenever it happens I still wake up and rush to the phone getting ready to dial 911! Something I calm myself down and other time I just start crying and freaking out!

Like I said I've never had any history of this before until I found out I was HIV positive and started taking meds. I don't really know what causes it and it always seems to happen when I'm asleep and never awake. I've talked to my doctor about it and repeatly told her that I'm not sure if it's a bad dream I was having, depression, the fact that I'm positive, or if it's the meds that's causing it.

FYI: It not something that happens everyday and it usually happen once ever 4 to 6 months (but always when I'm asleep) Too this day the doctor nor I can figure out whats wrong.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[lovedays08]

Hi VM

I may be new to HIV but anxiety is an old friend. We've been together for years! I have experienced many times the scenario you described. Usually, I get hit AFTER a very stressful event or period. I've had a few full blown panic attacks as well. I even drove myself to the emergency room once.

It doesn't sound like you have any persistent anxiety disorders and these events started with the HIV and meds. I started Atripla a month ago and I wake up a lot. The med seems to make me sleepy and then elevate my heart rate. I'm hoping, based on other posts, that it will all even out with time.

I have been experimenting with Ambien to get as much rest as possible. I take it either just before turning out the lights OR I have a small piece on the nightstand in case I wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning. It's different every night. Last night, I slept very well and I feel great today. Tomorrow, who knows.

Back to the anxiety, the mind is a powerful thing. It can cause as many problems as it can solve. If I go to bed with something on my mind and then I can't sleep, it often snowballs into agitation and then the night is shot. But I usually work myself into it.

A little stretching before bed has helped. Reading helps. Little pills ending "pam" have helped off and on. But the best tool for me is my mind. I've learned that before it gets to the point of being frightening I have to back it down. (Have you ever seen the movie "Firestarter"?) I have a poem I recite in my head or out loud (Shakespeare Sonnet), or I say The Lord's Prayer. Pick something you know and can relate to. I don't recommend a song. Songs are tough to turn off! This trick has helped me many times.

As we grow more accustomed our situations, hopefully these things will get easier. I made an appointment with a counselor next week. I'm at 6 mos since testing positive and the Atripla trip has been arduous. I need to tell a few friends now, and I'm nervous about that.

Anyway, I hope this helps. Best of luck going forward!

[clsoca]

After I take  Atripla, I lay in bed and read self improvement books and magizines until I fall asleep. I get up the next morning feeling energized and especially happy. For example, last night I took my 123 pill and read  a few articles in the March Men's Health Magazine and when I woke up I was eager to jam down to the gym where I got busy lifting some weights. This was at 6am too.  I shared this with my Dr. last Thursday and he said there are things about Atripla and HARRT in general that researches will not uncover for many years.

I also shared this with one of my close friends who is a Psychologist here in the LA area. She said positive stimuli at bed time with Atripla maybe something she is interested in exploring with her patients. 

But who knows, I could just be a big fool too.

[newt]

The efavirenz in Atripla can lead to anxiety etc

It's not the only cause but it is well documented

The two management options are (1) additional drugs (or another method if it works) to deal with the anxiety (2) changing to a non-efavirenz based combo

Both are valid choices

- matt