POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: 072508 on December 07, 2008, 02:19:56 pm
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Hey! I'm the new guy. Finally got my account approved since I was up at 3am I figured I'd see what this site is all about. I just found out my status 20 days ago, my ID doctor said I may have got flu like symtoms about 4-6 weeks after getting infected which would put it to be in July sometime seeing how I was felt deathly sick for the 5 days before my cruise to mexico. I had went out drinking 5 nights in a row and each morning I felt worse and worse and I thought it was just because I had been going out so much. I went and donated blood for work and it came back, not in my favor. CD4 474 VL 22500.
So I just started taking Atripla 19 days ago. Really everything my ID doctor told me the day he prescribed it about the side effects I forgot that instant except vivid dreams just because I had a million things running through my head.
So the first night on it I woke up three times and had an all-night dream that picked up where it left off everytime I woke up. Weird. The next night there was another dream but couldnt really remember it. No dream, then another night with a dream. I usually only get them now every couple days or so. I definitely felt high when I woke up the next morning for work, as did I for about the next 4 or so days. That soon went away. About a week after taking Atripla I started getting little red dots all over, side effect my doctor said, 1 in 5 people get it. I guess I was the ONE. That lasted about 4 or 5 days and went away. Now I just have some trouble falling asleep. I will lay in bed for hours or like last night I will wake up at 3am and cant sleep and I have been up ever since. I always wake up a lot and feel that weird taste like my pill is still in my throat and never made it all the way down, acidy taste, but I know its not seeing how I usually drink about a full bottle of water with my pill every night. Got a lot of info from the forum here as well as doing some of my own research. I go for my lab on Tuesday, excited to see what my numbers will be. :)
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Howdy,
Congrats on starting treatment. Hope it goes well and be sure to keep us posted. I'd say welcome to the club... but I'm not sure having HIV as a pet is something to welcome someone to.
One thing that may help with meds is to set a reminder on your computer or phone. I have one on both for me to remind me to take my meds. Sometimes things get hectic and I am prone to forgetting things when my routine gets disturbed.
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so it seems people are being put on meds when CD4 dips below 500?? so i think i should prepare myself for the start of meds also :'( good luck fella i dread the day i put the poison in my body
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so it seems people are being put on meds when CD4 dips below 500?? so i think i should prepare myself for the start of meds also :'( good luck fella i dread the day i put the poison in my body
Personally, I don't think this is a healthy way to look at it. Face it; the poison is already in your body. It's called HIV. There are basically two things one can do. Do nothing, and let nature take its course or take meds (HAART), take care of oneself as best as possible, and likely have a decent life... both in terms of quantity and quality. This obviously wasn't the case years ago, obviously. For me, I got very sick and was hospitalized with CD4's just a bit under 300, which is pretty much time to prepare for starting meds. After I started Atripla, and I started recovering from PCP pneumonia, my health improved considerably. Now, life is mostly good. The things that aren't so good really aren't related to HIV.
I forgot to say...
Welcome 072508! I also found these forums right after my diagnosis (March '06) and have found 'em to be a wealth of information, experiences, socializing, and humor. I've also had very good experiences with Atripla, although it took me 18 months to reach undetectable. I seriously doubt it'll take you that long. My hubby also started Atripla the same time I did and has minimal side effects (vivid dreams, mostly). I don't have the dreams, as I take mine in the morning. Good luck with your new lab results and don't forget to let us know how they are!
David
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From what I was told by others, is that the CDC or whatever didnt recommend meds until your cd4 was at 350 but recent studies showed the sooner you start the better off it is. so i guess thats why i started already. plus if my doctor didnt recommend me getting on them right a way i would have told him i wanted them anyway. From all the results of others that i have seen on Atripla, i think its the best route at this point. Thanks for the replies!
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Hello 072508,
I hope all is well. First, I would like to say that I started taking Atripla on Nov. 14, 2008 and luckily I have not had any problems. I didn't experience the vivid dreams or nothing of the sort. What I have experienced if I may say so is I tend fall asleep easily and sleep throughout the night; It's almost like I'm in a deep sleep. I take my pill every night at 9:45 p.m. and usually I am asleep within the next few minutes. Secondly, I wish you the best of luck on your regimine because I know you will be just fine. Finally, to everyone who is contemplated whether or not they should start meds, the only advice I can give is personally--I wished that I had started the moment I found out about my diagnosis. The medicine is not all that bad! Good Luck to everyone and let's continue to uplift one another as we travel through the journey.
Much Love,
PY
From what I was told by others, is that the CDC or whatever didnt recommend meds until your cd4 was at 350 but recent studies showed the sooner you start the better off it is. so i guess thats why i started already. plus if my doctor didnt recommend me getting on them right a way i would have told him i wanted them anyway. From all the results of others that i have seen on Atripla, i think its the best route at this point. Thanks for the replies!
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From what I was told by others, is that the CDC or whatever didnt recommend meds until your cd4 was at 350 but recent studies showed the sooner you start the better off it is. so i guess thats why i started already. plus if my doctor didnt recommend me getting on them right a way i would have told him i wanted them anyway. From all the results of others that i have seen on Atripla, i think its the best route at this point. Thanks for the replies!
You are correct. I've been told the same thing when I was recently diagnosed and started Atripla. My reaction pretty much mirrors yours, except for the rash. I get my blood work done again tomorrow. I'm anxious to see some positive results. Keep us posted on your results.
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I have been on Atripla for almost 2 years and basically it saved my life. I was diagnosed with HIV right before I was diagnosed with PCP and in order to live I started Atripla right away. It took a couple of weeks to get used to but I have had no problems. As far as the drawbacks to medication...I don't get it. It seems to me that there really is not another choice. I mean without the medicine, won't you die? Maybe I'm missing something?
Anyways, I am grateful for Atripla. In a little over a year I am undetectable with a CD4 count above 600.
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Hi,
As far as the drawbacks to medication...I don't get it. It seems to me that there really is not another choice. I mean without the medicine, won't you die? Maybe I'm missing something?
Not everybody has the same response to HIV. Some people get bad labs and sick quickly, or get detected late. Then there are others that don't don't progress as fast. For the former group, there is no debate, they should be on meds. But for the later group, it's not so cut and dry. The side effects of taking the meds long term may outweight the benefits of going on therapy early. That's why we see all these studies on starting therapy at different CD4 counts.
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Thanks for everyones comments!!! The lady that did my lab on tuesday turned away and it pulled out the needle the when she turned back it got shoved back in my arm.... OUCH! then off to another vein to finish. results on 12/29 as my dr has decided to go on vacation the week of xmas.
JAYJAX: keep us updated on your results as well!
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Will do and you do the same
TagMan just posted with similar situation and fantastic results after his first followup with Atripla. Very good news for both of us and everyone who is hesitates starting Atripla.
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As far as the sleeping problem if I were you I would listen to music or listen to the televison while asleep. At this point you may be afraid of sleeping and you need distraction to sleep. Those dreams can be vivid and painful. I hope this helps.
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I've been on Atripla since it debuted back in Oct 2006. Before that I was on Sustiva/Truvada.
I remember when I first started my HAART regimen back in Feb 2006..... I remember the vivid dreams and I did get a rash, but it went away.
I like taking just one pill, but it didn't really bother me taking Sustiva/Truvada together either.
I have 100% compliance.
I remember the first year was the roughest for me.....but now I'm feeling "normal =)
and just go about my business as usual :)
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We both started the same night and i haven't had any issues, the first night i had a weird dream but that was it. Sometimes i feel that my minds was set to expect side effects already....thank god nothing has happen. I will be having lab work on the 31th and maybe my results after that.....I am hoping to see those TCells up and VL down....
Everyone here have a merry Christmas and thank for all the support!
Hello 072508,
I hope all is well. First, I would like to say that I started taking Atripla on Nov. 14, 2008 and luckily I have not had any problems. I didn't experience the vivid dreams or nothing of the sort. What I have experienced if I may say so is I tend fall asleep easily and sleep throughout the night; It's almost like I'm in a deep sleep. I take my pill every night at 9:45 p.m. and usually I am asleep within the next few minutes. Secondly, I wish you the best of luck on your regimine because I know you will be just fine. Finally, to everyone who is contemplated whether or not they should start meds, the only advice I can give is personally--I wished that I had started the moment I found out about my diagnosis. The medicine is not all that bad! Good Luck to everyone and let's continue to uplift one another as we travel through the journey.
Much Love,
PY
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FINALLY! The day is almost here. 12/29 I get my results from my 12/9 labs after starting Atripla/First meds on 11/18. Wish me luck, hope to see some good numbers ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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So I just started taking Atripla 19 days ago.
Thinking of switching my meds to Atripla after missing dossage on my current medication. I take Trixivir and Viread and trying to remember to take the second dose is killing me. I'm always missing it and from what I hear from my fellow members this medication combo is not good and questionable. Also, I think taking a pill once a day would be better than taking it twice a day.
So, once I meet with my doctor I will have a conversation with her about this and the option of changing my meds. I will keep you posted.
Good luck and hope all is well.
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WOOOO HOOOO
Just got back from my visit and my results are.........
CD4: 620 VL: 56 %: 33.6
Im really happy and thats only after TWO WEEKS! I Hope everyone continues to get great results!!!!
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Congratulations. You are doing great!
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WAY TO GO !!!!! ... Inspiration for everyone just starting or thinking of starting Atripla
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Congrats, 072! Great way to end one year and begin the new one.
Cheers.
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SIX away from UNDETECTABLE!!!! WTF!?!?!? haha, regardless I am still ecstatic about my new numbers. I never would have thought they would be that great after ONLY 2 weeks. Cant wait till my next lab on Feb 3 and then the BETTER BE UNDECTABLE RESULTS on Feb 17!
You guys are great here. Thank you so MUCH!!!