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Author Topic: Atripla side affects  (Read 8535 times)

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Offline LBpozguy

  • Member
  • Posts: 51
Atripla side affects
« on: September 04, 2009, 02:13:59 pm »
Hey guys:

I started Atripla Aug 15. The longer I am on it, the more and more anxiety I am experiencing. I am now at the point where I can hardly concentrate. I am having a hard time reading because I just can't keep my mind focused on what I am reading. I don't want to see anyone and don't want to talk to anyone. I have to force myself to go to work and when I am there, the only thing I can think of is when I get to go home. My sleeping is getting worse. I can't seem to sleep my normal sleeping times, meaning I used to go to bed at 11pm and get up at 7am. Now, I go to bed at 11 and wake up around 5 or 6 and can't fall back asleep. I am tired all day long and have been taking naps in the middle of the day. Something that is not normal for me.

My next ID doc visit is at the end of the month. I am not sure what I should do, if I should just ride this out till my next visit or if I should call my Dr and let her know what is going on.

I have never been on any kinds of meds for depression or anxiety. And to be honest I don't really want to start now. I have never been a big fan of pharmaceuticals and have always thought there is so much we don't know about side affects both short and long.

HELP!!
« Last Edit: September 04, 2009, 02:55:57 pm by LBpozguy »
Feb 08 neg
Sept 08 - First poz test
Sept 08 CD4 558 (% unk) VL 11000
Dec 08 CD4 480 (29%) VL less than 700
Mar 09 CD4 370  VL 25000
June 09 CD4 425 VL 68000
Aug 09 Started Atripla
Sept 09 CD4 639 VL 100
Nov 09  CD4 716 (35%) VL Undet!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 10 CD4 685 VL UND

Offline GNYC09

  • Member
  • Posts: 702
Re: Atripla side affects
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2009, 02:35:58 pm »
Hi LB, I'm sorry to hear that you're having such a rough time with the Atripla!  :(
I also had a really tough time with Atripla and thought my misery would last forever. I found out through these boards that with time the rough symptoms would pass, held on to hope and the bad symptoms did indeed pass after a fews weeks.  This point in time is no doubt very difficult but you will pull through.  Atripla is strong and it will help beat your virus.

If you're experiencing more and more anxiety, then you should definitely call your doctor. As for the problems sleeping, you should ask your doctor about a prescription for Ambien (only if it doesn't further contribute to your anxiety).  The Ambien helped me the first few weeks since I couldn't sleep due to the Atripla.  I no longer need Ambien. The lack of sleep may be contributing to your exhaustion.

You should also consider taking some time off work if possible until you feel better.    Good luck and keep us posted!
« Last Edit: September 04, 2009, 02:38:19 pm by GNYC09 »

Offline LBpozguy

  • Member
  • Posts: 51
Re: Atripla side affects
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2009, 02:54:55 pm »
GNYC09

Thanks for the encouragement.  It has been really rough. My back and neck has been in pain ever since I started the meds, I just want to hermit myself at home and see no one. I would take time off of work but I own my own business and can't take much time off. That is if I want to keep my business which pays for my medical insurance. I feel so boxed in. My partner is hiv- and I don't really think he understands how I am feeling and how much I need his support right now. Insteed I am getting grief from him because of how I am feeling. I just want to go hide somewhere and be alone.
Feb 08 neg
Sept 08 - First poz test
Sept 08 CD4 558 (% unk) VL 11000
Dec 08 CD4 480 (29%) VL less than 700
Mar 09 CD4 370  VL 25000
June 09 CD4 425 VL 68000
Aug 09 Started Atripla
Sept 09 CD4 639 VL 100
Nov 09  CD4 716 (35%) VL Undet!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 10 CD4 685 VL UND

Offline markaj

  • Member
  • Posts: 80
Re: Atripla side affects
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2009, 03:20:09 pm »
LB so sorry to hear about this.  I too had exactly the same problems with Sustiva and Truvada, I took them separately rather than in the one Atripla pill.  In the end I came off those meds after only 2 weeks.  I withdrew from everybody and spiralled into a major depressive episode.  The Sustiva component of Atripla is notorious for this with some people. There are lots of things you could take for sleep which may help in the short term to get you back into a regular sleeping pattern.  The best thing I took was an antihistamine with sedative qualities called Vallegan, these tablets aren't habit forming.  Although I personally would call the doctor rather than ride it out for the rest of the month.  Do keep us posted.  Hugs.  Mark x
Infected Jan 08 / diagnosed Feb 08
Feb 08 - CD4 230 (9%) VL 3.5 million
Mar 08 - CD4 440 (6%) VL 660.000
Apr 08 - CD4 420 (11%) VL 3 million
Jun 08 - CD4 200 (7%) VL 3 million
Started Kaletra/Truvada Jul 08
Jul 08  - CD4 250 (14%) VL 23.893
Aug 08 - CD4 410 (15%)  VL 4.313
Switched to Sustiva/Truvada Aug 08
Switched to Reyataz/Norvir/Truvada Sep 08
Diagnosed with Hep C, HIV meds stopped for a bit
Nov 08 - CD4 414 (12%) VL 500.000+
Started Isentress/Truvada Nov 2008
Dec 08 - CD4 381 (17%) VL 1.116
Jan 09 - CD4 534 (20%) VL <50
Started Interferon/Ribavirin Jan 09
Feb 09 - CD4 407 (24%) VL <50
Mar 09 - CD4 360 (28%) VL <50
Apr 09 - CD4 279 (30%) VL <50
Jun 09 - CD4 298 (36%) VL <50
Aug 09 - CD4 303 (35%) VL <50

Offline GNYC09

  • Member
  • Posts: 702
Re: Atripla side affects
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2009, 03:21:30 pm »
I hear you. I definitely did the hermit thing (am still doing it to be honest until I feel better).  You have every right to express how you are feeling.  You also have every right to call your doctor for guidance.  Also, are there any HIV/AIDS organizations nearby that you can connect with even if it is just the hotline?  

And I am sorry your partner is having a difficult time understanding.  It's hard to understand if you haven't gone through the same experience.  Although he hasn't, many many others have.  Do whatever you need to in order to take care of yourself.  Treat yourself. You really are going through a powerful transformation as the medicine races to kill the virus.  It's not an easy time but know that you will get through this difficult period.  Good luck!

Offline GuyInLA

  • Member
  • Posts: 12
Re: Atripla side affects
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2009, 03:57:45 pm »
I had the same reaction, and eventually gave up on Atripla...switching to Prezista/Norvir/Truvada.  Within two days, all the anxiety/depression side effects were gone.  I know Atripla is a popular medication because it's one pill once a day, but my current regimen is 4 pills once a day...no big deal; it's still just once a day, and the pills don't drive me crazy.  So for anyone out there who thinks they have to suffer through the side effects of Atripla...please know that there are very good alternatives.
Infected - Early Dec 08
The "Flu" - 6 Jan 09
Diagnosed - 12 Mar 09
12 Mar 09 - VL 406,000   CD4 515 (no %)
31 Mar 09 - VL 322,520   CD4 605 (14.5%)
08 May 09 - Started Atripla
09 Jun 09  - VL 160  CD4 594 (27%)
10 Aug 09 - Switched to Prezista/Norvir/Truvada (Atripla drove me crazy)
1 Sept 09 - Undetectable
23 Dec 09 - Undetectable CD4 830 (36.1%)
17 Mar 10 - Undetectable CD4 1000+

Offline mecch

  • Member
  • Posts: 13,455
  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: Atripla side affects
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2009, 06:10:34 pm »
Hey guys:

I started Atripla Aug 15. The longer I am on it, the more and more anxiety I am experiencing. I am now at the point where I can hardly concentrate. I am having a hard time reading because I just can't keep my mind focused on what I am reading.
This concentration problem may subside as you get used to HAART. How much immune damage do you need to repair, by the way.  You can get IRS - immune restitution syndrome which is in the end a good thing.

the next part seems to be about stress and emotions and possible depression:
I don't want to see anyone and don't want to talk to anyone. I have to force myself to go to work and when I am there, the only thing I can think of is when I get to go home. My sleeping is getting worse.
These above are depression signs, but also could be related to starting HAART. The sleep problems below are noted side effects of starting hart. They may subside.

I can't seem to sleep my normal sleeping times, meaning I used to go to bed at 11pm and get up at 7am. Now, I go to bed at 11 and wake up around 5 or 6 and can't fall back asleep. I am tired all day long and have been taking naps in the middle of the day. Something that is not normal for me.

My next ID doc visit is at the end of the month. I am not sure what I should do, if I should just ride this out till my next visit or if I should call my Dr and let her know what is going on.

I have never been on any kinds of meds for depression or anxiety. And to be honest I don't really want to start now. I have never been a big fan of pharmaceuticals and have always thought there is so much we don't know about side affects both short and long.

HELP!!
You have a right to call your doctor and speak to him/her on the phone and tell him whats going on. He has the professional task to decide whether to encourage you to wait, or to see you...
Also, some of these problems can be addressed with medicine:
sleep problems, especially.  So the ID can do that, or your GP, or your therapist.
If you don't have a therapist, get one, if possible, as the comment of wanting to isolate yourself is not related to the HIV virus or to HAART.  Its an emotional choice.
You dont need to take drugs get good results in pyschotherapy.  Behavior modification, stress reduction techniques, mind-body work, exercise, etc etc. 

Generally I have found that, being HIV+, after a nervous breakdown, well seroconverting just overwhelmed me and I asked ALL the specialists possible to keep me in the best shape possible.  Is that possible for you?
Ask your GP to speak to your ID, to speak to a therapist, and so on, and you just go through the list of physical problems until they are resolved, and the therapist helps you deal with anything thats more emotional psychological.
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline LBpozguy

  • Member
  • Posts: 51
Re: Atripla side affects
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2009, 08:56:59 pm »
Mecch:

Thank you for your reply (as well as the others)

This concentration problem may subside as you get used to HAART. How much immune damage do you need to repair, by the way.  You can get IRS - immune restitution syndrome which is in the end a good thing.

My CD4 was in the 400's when I started the Atripla. I hope that answers you question. I have not heard of IRS but will do a little research on it.

the next part seems to be about stress and emotions and possible depression:These above are depression signs, but also could be related to starting HAART.


I have had some depression issues in the past. BUT most of my problems are related to stress issues and ended up with Shingles about a year ago.

The sleep problems below are noted side effects of starting hart. They may subside.
You have a right to call your doctor and speak to him/her on the phone and tell him whats going on. He has the professional task to decide whether to encourage you to wait, or to see you...
Also, some of these problems can be addressed with medicine:
sleep problems, especially.  So the ID can do that, or your GP, or your therapist.
If you don't have a therapist, get one, if possible, as the comment of wanting to isolate yourself is not related to the HIV virus or to HAART.  Its an emotional choice.
You dont need to take drugs get good results in pyschotherapy.  Behavior modification, stress reduction techniques, mind-body work, exercise, etc etc. 

I do not have a therapist but perhaps I can talk to my ID Dr about that at the next visit. I really think if I could just get the back and neck pain to go away, that would be a huge start.

If things progress to worse, I will call my ID Dr. For now, I will discuss my issues with her at my next appointment.  I had a talk with my partner and told him HE needed to do some research himself. I told him to go to poz.com and research Atrilpla and then look through the forum as well. I hope this will help him realize what I am going through and begin to understand and help me.

I will keep you posted.
Feb 08 neg
Sept 08 - First poz test
Sept 08 CD4 558 (% unk) VL 11000
Dec 08 CD4 480 (29%) VL less than 700
Mar 09 CD4 370  VL 25000
June 09 CD4 425 VL 68000
Aug 09 Started Atripla
Sept 09 CD4 639 VL 100
Nov 09  CD4 716 (35%) VL Undet!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 10 CD4 685 VL UND

Offline Anitria

  • New Member
  • Posts: 1
Re: Atripla side affects
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2009, 06:57:55 pm »
 :) hi all, new to the blog.I just wanted to say that i too am on atripla and had problems but after awhile it subsides as u become undetectable. At least that how it was for me. And yes it is not for everyone.

good luck :)

 


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