POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Someone I Care About Has HIV => Topic started by: LifeIsGood on October 29, 2009, 07:16:33 pm
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Hey Everyone!
I just wanted to write a quick message to tell of my experience with Atripla. I am negative but my boyfriend is positive. He was diagnosed 6 years ago and started on Atripla this September. At first we were both afraid, for various reasons, but we discussed it and decided that it would be better to start medication now that his CD4s were over 400 and viral load at 1800 and he is healthy and well. The HIV symptoms he had been experiencing were swollen partoid glands (bilateral salivary gland enlargement).
The first week was rough. It is recommended Atripla be taken on an empty stomach, at bed time, but this wasn't working out for him. The side-effects (cold sweats and disorientation) were bothersome and didn't let him sleep. We played around with the times a bit and found that the best time for him was to take the medicine at 8PM with dinner, not on an empty stomach. He's OK for about 2 hours and then becomes considerably drowsy and falls asleep and remains asleep, like a baby.
I have noticed that the 2 hour mark after taking Atripla is very important. Like I said, he becomes very drowsy and is perfect to go to sleep. However, if for some reason he is unable to go to sleep during this drowsy period (lasts about 30-45 minutes) it will have the exact opposite effect and it becomes very difficult for him to fall asleep - not falling asleep until 4 or 5 in the morning.
So to recap: He takes Atripla at 8PM with dinner, approximately 2 hours later he becomes drowsy, lasting about 30-45, at which point he goes to sleep otherwise he will awaken from the drowsiness and be unable to sleep.
He has been doing this now for a month and a half and we are both so happy and thankful. He is feeling great and the partoid swelling has already improved dramatically - like 80%!!! :)
I just wanted to write this to share some hope and encouragement. I know that experiences will vary but I wanted to share a great experience.
One Love!
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LifeIsGood,
My hubbby has been on Atripla since Aug 06. He started out taking it at night like the directions said but decided to take it first thing in the morning. He has not had any problems with taking it first thing in the morning. He gets up at the same time every morning..even weekends. The doc said if it works better for him to take it in the morning that was fine. He has never experienced the drowsiness or foggy head some have after taking it.
Glad Atripla is working for him and hes adjusting to it
Hugs
Teresa
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My wife started Atripla a 1.5 years ago
It took a good 6 nights before she slept soundly.
Initially it was as you describe + the vivid dreams got her nauseous
Also when she woke the 1st week she was very groggy.
But after that 1st week she has never had a problem.
Good luck