POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: egello on September 08, 2008, 05:27:31 pm
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Hi everyone.
I just switched my med to Atripla last week. Is there anyone who has been on Atripla with no side effect such as abnormal weight gain, weight loss, depression and such...
After reading all the posts about nasty side effects of Atripla, I am beginning to regret the change...
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I haven't experienced a single one of the side effects that you mentioned --- (weight gain or weight loss or depression). My only complaint is that some mornings I feel a little bit hung-over and exhausted before I take my shower, but the feeling always wears off as the morning progresses. Also, I've spent more time sitting on the toilet than I would like to, but that was probably more attributable to Bactrim than to Atripla. Now that I'm not taking Bactrim anymore, things are getting more "normal" in the bathroom at long last.
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The first week I took Atripla, a was very jittery, had cold sweats, and felt plain "shitty" After 1 week, I felt fine. As in the previous post, when I wake up in the morning I feel groggy, but after my shower I'm fine. Bottom line, once my body adjusted there were no problems.
More importantly in 5 weeks Vl went from 47500 to 130, CD4 went from 511/29% to 667/31%.
I fully expect my next set of tests to to show I am undetectable.
Just remember, people report problems in these forums looking for help and advice. Those experiencing no probs, tend to write nothing. According to my doc and pharmacologist, Atripla is very well tolerated.
Good Luck, and hang in there. I bet you'll be fine.
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thank you,
just that i hate the idea of not being able to eat for several hours at night,,,, i am a big big eater... :)
also,,, i hate how Atripla just tends to knock me completely out about an hour after taking it as if a truck drove through my brain...
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I took my first dose of Atripla last night after eating a very heavy steak dinner for my birthday. I had vivid dreams (which were pretty damn cool) but can't say that I experienced anything intolerable. I did get up during the night to get some water and I recall feeling a little wobbly (like being drunk) and I fell right back to sleep when I returned to bed. I hope my 2nd night goes as well as the first.
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I have been on Sustiva/Truvada (same as Atripla) for about six weeks now. I tried it two previous times but had terrible side effects due to an underlying and undiagnosed case of Tuberculosis. This time with the TB fully under control, virtually no side effects - just dizziness when I get up to pee at night, slightly less adequate sleep, more dreams, and a little bit of flatulence which seems to have already mostly gone away.
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I've been on Atripla for 3 weeks now and have very few side effects now. The first 2 days were a tad rough, but otherwise, I am feeling better and better. I have taken the medication on empty stomach and after a high fat meal and have tolerated it just fine. I only had a little more wooziness and dreaming on the night after the big meal.
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My best friend is on it for about 4 months now and he says he hasn't had any noticeable side effects. He even says he hasn't had any vivid dreams and is disappointed :)
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I have been on it since August 6th and I have not had any side effects whatsoever. I think it's hit or miss. Then again, I have never had side effects from any drug I've taken my whole life except for Bactrim (got a minor rash) but other than Bactrim, I have not had any side effects from Atripla.
I'm starting to believe my doctor. He said if you are the type of person that does not get side effects from medications then you probably won't have side effects from Atripla. That's been true to a few of my friends whom are like me. They haven't had any side effects at all from Atripla...whereas some of my other friends have had every known side effect you can possibly get from it and then some...
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I agree with Imnew2this. I have been on Atripla for a week now and doing fine. The first two days were a little rough because I was kind of groggy in the morning. I then started taking my dose at 8pm instead of 10pm and now have no complaints whatsoever.
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I had some issues with sleep , but gave up the triple grande latte and the sleep issue for me went away. Have had no issues with weight gain or loss during my 3 1/2 years on sustiva/truvada (Atripla). Have had no vivid dreams. No issues in the morning with feeling sluggish after I gave up the caffeine. So for now all goes well.
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Going on 15 months with Atripla. Have had an undetectable VL the whole time and higher CD4 count. HIV totally under control. The only real side effect I have, and I have had all along, are intense dreams. Leaves me feeling exhausted in the mornings, hard to get up, but better as the morning goes along. Gained back about 20 pounds that I had lost on other meds, but am pretty much maintaining. Very hungry all the time though. All things considered, this is about as good as it gets.
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Well if you really must know,
it seems like I fart a bit more than I used to. And kinda smelly.
Also, I took it once in the morning and that was a bit trippy.
Otherwise, can't feel anything identified as a side effect in 6 weeks on the stuff.
CIAO
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The worst thing about Atripla for me is the eating times. I try to eat dinner by 7 or 8 pm so Ill have an empty stomach at 11:30 when I take it. Then if Im hungry at 12:30 or so Ill eat before bed if Im up late. The only side effects I ever experienced was a month into taking it I broke out in a small rash on my shoulder and neck that lasted 2 days and I attributed it to taking the pill on a full stomach (went out to eat red lobster for wifes birthday later than usual). I also had a couple of nightmares a month or so into it where I woke my wife up moaning in my sleep, but I dont remember the dreams.
I really feel for the poeple who had to adhere to the old regimens with lots of pills all differrent times of the day some with some without food etc... It really feels like a chore to get my eating done and over with by 8 pm so my stomach will be empty at 11:30....lol ::)
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Hi
My husband has been on Atripla for almost 5 months and has had no side effects from it. He usually takes them with a snack before bed.
It definitely varies from person to person.
Take Care,
Pip
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isnt atripla supposed to be taken on an empty stomach 1 to 2 hours before the next meal?
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It doesn't matter to me if it's on a full or empty stomach. Once in awhile if I wake to early I've got a good buzz on. The only thing I have trouble with is sleep and sleeping pills took care of that.
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1) Atripla is recommended at the beginning of treatment to be taken on empty stomach because the sustiva drug - efavirenz - concentration can go up and cause CNS symptoms most specifically wild dreams. Still a snack is within the standard recommendation. In fact, if you don't have any symptoms taking this drug with a full stomach, there is no problem, according to my ID doc.
2) I have a new side effect - I just asked my ID about. After about 6 weeks of treatment I got heavy dandruff and its not something I have had in life. ID says in fact with successful HAART the skin starts to renew itself - and its normal to have more dry flaking skin, and that I'll have "baby skin" soon (yeah, ill believe that when I see it).
Not sure if this is HAART general or Atripla specific.
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I've been on Atripla for a couple of years now, and the only side effects I've had were serious LSD moments for the first weeks, then occasional trips that come randomly. It seems I can take it on an empty stomach and be fine for hours, but then when I eat, the acid trip starts up again. It only lasts about an hour and doesn't happen al the time.
On another note, I've noticed in just the last two weeks that I am losing my body hair. No loss on my head, but my torso is noticably becoming hairless very quickly. I have no idea if this is related to the drug, but it's really bumming me out.
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I've been on Atripla 3 months now and don't get any side effects, i have even taken it it the morning once (about 5 hours late) when i'd forgotten to take it (because i was pissed :-[) and still didn't have any problems. ;D
2) I have a new side effect - I just asked my ID about. After about 6 weeks of treatment I got heavy dandruff and its not something I have had in life. ID says in fact with successful HAART the skin starts to renew itself - and its normal to have more dry flaking skin, and that I'll have "baby skin" soon (yeah, ill believe that when I see it).
Not sure if this is HAART general or Atripla specific.
Try Nizoral (Ketoconazole) shampoo, leave it on about 10 minutes and then shower off. that should solve your problem.
I think it must be much more difficult for people to adhere to HAART regimes if they were diagnosed as HIV+ before they had any Aids defining symptoms. I'd had Shingles, Eosinophilic Folliculitis and finally PCP Pneumonia before i was diagnosed (when my CD4 was 140) so i 'm a bit more more motivated.
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Hi Everybody -
I've been on Atripla for about a year. Everything has been excellent. No problems and I eat went I feel like it which is pigging out in the evenings. (bad puppy). I go to the gym and work out 2-3 times a week. The only thing I question is (excuse my spelling) - my triglicerides... I called in for my labs today and they are pretty high. Cholesteral is about 183. I need to watch the pigging out in the evening, but I also wonder about these levels and if the meds are doing it. I understand cholesteral, but triglicerides Im not that familiar with. I did a quick search and scared myself shitless because it said something about killing your pancreas and Im now a bit worried. Any thoughts or ideas? My Tcells are ranging between 500 and 720 and Im undetectable. 16 years and no illness. Thanks
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Hey All,
This is my first post. I have been on Atripla for 15 days now, has anyone else had horrific nausea? I wound up losing 15 pounds in the first 8 days b/c i was too sick to eat. Mine got to the point after 6 days to where my Dr. wrote me a script for phenergan to help with the nausea.
This is going to be my first night since to not take phenergan (stopping on Drs. orders for a few days to see if it has resolved) and I'm kinda nervous.
I do have to say it was interesting the first few nights with how wasted I like an hour after taking it. Then combined with the phenergan, i was comatose lol.
Other than that, luckily no other side effects ;D
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Welcome to the forums screepy. This thread is from over two years ago, you may want to start your own thread next time to get the answers you look for more quickly. Anywho, I can give you my experience with this drug.
Let me first say many people here have great success and minimal side effects with it. Some people complain of side effects in the beginning and then, as time wears on, they seem to go away.
Like you, I suffered from nausea too. It occured everytime I ate something high in fat. Didn't matter when I ate it either. And, if I ate something within the hour of my dose this seemed to make it worse for me. The directions state to take it on an empty stomach and with my experience I would say this is why. If I was you I would take it before bedtime on an empty stomach because if your anything like me you don't eat while you sleep.
I found smoking ample amounts of marijuana seemed to assist with the nausea.
I eventually quit, the Atripla I mean, and the nausea went away forever...... Hopefully your one of those who adjust to it with nay problems, trust there are many here who do just that.
Good luck.
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Side effects wore off for me after a few weeks. I've been on it for almost 4 years, and the only thing that I still get sometimes is if I stay up too late after taking it, I can be kind of wired and unable to fall asleep easily. Once in a while I wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back to sleep. I might have a little bit more belly fat than before, but my weight has held steady.
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The Sustiva component of Atriple can cause suicidal ideation and other serious CNS issues months after the more apparent side effects diminish.
For those who have ANY history of major depressive disorder or other issues, this should be monitored VERY carefully.
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I just started taking Atripla this week. Been undetectable w/o meds since 4/08. Now my VL spiked and cd4 dropped for some reason. I have had nine of the scary side effects yet. Maybe some gas, but that's it. I'm afraid to test the eating thing though. I like to eat late so this is starting to bother me. Is the only issue with eating on it that it increases side effects or does it compromise the effectiveness of the drug? I do feel groggy in the morning though. But that's it.
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The only side-effect I've had is the dream one. Dreams went from chaotic jumbles to A to Z stories. Even if I woke up and went back to sleep the dream would just pick back up where it broke off.
That had stopped several months ago but seems to have picked up again. Not sure why. But I do know that it would be highly unlikely for Michelle Obama to plant a big red one on my side cheek...especially wearing a long black evening gown with a leg-slit up to her thigh. Where that came from I have absolutely no idea...nor the one where I hung out with Kim Jong-il and then escaped using an umbrella. And I thought I lived a dull life.
However...unlike most people I think, I take my Atripla first thing in the morning. Suppose that might have determined some of the side effects, or lack of, I have/haven't experienced.
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I have been on sustiva and Truvada for about a year now.
At first I was really drunk at night and stoned in the morning, but after two months or so that ended.
A few months ago I had vomiting in the mornings but no other issues.
Nausea has ended for a month now and all is fine.
Other than taking a pill or two (sometimes the sustiva/ Truvada or sometimes the Atripla) every night, I feel normal again. Funny how a year ago I thought all was over but now it is all back to whatever normal is for me.
Life can get better for everyone.
Cheers,
Hoover
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Is the only issue with eating on it that it increases side effects or does it compromise the effectiveness of the drug?
Eating can increase the side-effects, particularly fatty foods. It does not compromise the effectiveness of the drugs.
You might want to try eating something low-fat in the evenings. Experiment at the weekend or other times when you don't have to worry about being bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for work the next morning.
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Recently started treatment on Atripla. Now 3 months and my VL has come down from 120,000 to less than 400. CD4 count has also gone up to about 500.
The only thing is about a month or so now, I've noticed i'm very flatulent these days, to the point that it's becoming socially embarrassing. I also get abdominal discomfort & quite loose stools in the mornings. I'm relating this to the Atripla - as my diet has not changed, my lifestyle is pretty much the same, i take my pills same time each night.
I read the leaflet & it does list these as possible side-effects. Anyone else experienced similar? does it get better or go away or could it be something else? Any tips for managing this? Im now very worried about going out with friends for meals,etc so it's beginning to affect my social life :(
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Been on Atripla for a little while (months) I pretty much eat whatever I want now, the first week was not to bad, groggy in the morning but other than that nothing really, sometimes have vivid dreams but they are pretty cool its like going to the movies and they last allllll niiiiggghhhttt llllooonnnggg lol and then for me in the morning are kinda hard to remember what they were about. i agree with mecch I have been having some heavy dandruff as well but I went to walgreens and bought a T-gel hair soap stuff and works really good, so right now I have no bad sides to Atripla and its working good for me i take mine at 10pm
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I seemed to do ok on it for about 8 months, then parts of my body started going numb, my legs, my arm, my feet around my mouth. The doc just switched me off of it to see if this new combo will help with the symptoms. The dreams were bad too so definitely will not miss them. Doctor says i could be in the 5 to 10 percent of folks that have these CNS issues on Atripla.
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Hi everyone.
I just switched my med to Atripla last week. Is there anyone who has been on Atripla with no side effect such as abnormal weight gain, weight loss, depression and such...
After reading all the posts about nasty side effects of Atripla, I am beginning to regret the change...
I was switched to Atpla from Trizivir and have found no major side effects other than some strong dreams which I find can be less severe if I remember to wait for a few hours after I eat, and even if I don't they have not been that bad. I will say that when I first started it I had gone to a party and found that when drinking a bit much the dreams were very strange. Actually making the switch for me was easier for me to remember to dose since it is only once a day now.
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The only side effect I get from Atripla is its hard to fall asleep, but I dont even know 100% sure if its because of the Atripla. When I take the pill, I immediately get dizzy/light headed, but its only for a few seconds and literally immediately after. I never had any of the other side effects people talk about. Ever. Even in the beginning.
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The only thing is about a month or so now, I've noticed i'm very flatulent these days, to the point that it's becoming socially embarrassing. I also get abdominal discomfort & quite loose stools in the mornings. I'm relating this to the Atripla - as my diet has not changed, my lifestyle is pretty much the same, i take my pills same time each night.
I'm not sure if that's how I'm supposed to insert someone else's quote???
Anyhow I had the same issues when I first started Atripla and it lasted for several months but eventually went away. I also experience severe fatigue, drowsiness and feelings of sadness if I have a few drinks, which kind of sucks because I used to enjoy having a few glasses of wine a couple of times a week. I read in a few places that you're not supposed to drink any alcohol when taking atripla and realised that as long as I don't drink at all and exercise regularly, I don't seem to experience any side effects anymore.
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Egello,
My husband loves atripla!
He says he would take it even if he didn't have HIV because it lets him sleep well. After being an insomniac for YEARS he found something that lets him sleep.
At first we both felt really drugged, but after two months all was good for him.
I might have acid reflux from it or the spicy foods, who knows?
That is life.
Good luck,
Hoover and the boss
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i dont seem to be suffering from any side effects and i am on my first week. feel a bit groggy when i get up but that soon goes.
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I've been on Atripla since February 2008. As long as I take it at bedtime there have been no side effects.
If I take it in the morning the only noticeable effect is feeling "drunk" for a couple of hours.
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I have a question regarding drug interaction between Atripla and Sufameththoxazole Trimethoprim (Bactrium).
I just tested poz two weeks go - CD4 70 and viral load over 400,000. Been on Atripla for 2 weeks and definitely feeling "better" but do have the night-time dreaming and related side effects. Then my doctor started me on daily Sulphameth as well. Strong drug to prevent any infections. Does this drug have any interaction with Atripla? I have the Sulphameth at lunch and Atripla before sleeping.
Thanks in advance for any input. This is a GREAT forum so far to get key questions answered.
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Jay, Atripla and Bactrim are prescribed together all the time. You should not have a problem, unless you happen to be allergic to Bactrim. If you are, the usual symptom is a rash, but Atripla can also cause a rash in some people.
Your doctor probably started you on Atripla first so that if you do get a rash, the drug responsible will be easier to figure out. Most people get the rash within the first week or two (if they get it at all, not everyone does), so if you get a rash a few days after starting the Bactrim, the Bactrim is the likely culprit rather than the Atripla.
If you do get a rash, talk to your doctor ASAP. If the Bactrim is what's causing it, there are other antibiotics you can take. If the rash is being caused by the Atripla, it usually goes away within a few days to a week and there are meds you can take temporarily to help with the rash.
But no, there aren't any interactions between Atripla and Bactrim that you need to worry about.
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I've had some side effects. I've been poz since July 8th, 2010.
Vivid dreams are one that I've managed to stay with, but it occurs mainly if you (me - directing this from experience) eat before you sleep, that's the reason I've seen that you eat on an empty stomach.
I've lost 10lbs in the last year and a half, which isn't too bad, the weight fluctuates between the time you wake up and sleep. Usually you're lighter after the first time that you go to the bathroom. I'm still at a healthy weight, with a slight belly. Mostly muscle. :)
Fatigue and slight memory loss are slight symptoms. Memory loss as in you may forget where you put your keys, or what drink someone likes. It's not too bad.
To cure those, I take a multivitamin, B12 and Zinc.
My body's healing factor hasn't changed - I'm happy about that.
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Hi everyone.
I just switched my med to Atripla last week. Is there anyone who has been on Atripla with no side effect such as abnormal weight gain, weight loss, depression and such...
After reading all the posts about nasty side effects of Atripla, I am beginning to regret the change...
Hi egello;
I've been on Atripla for 7 days now. I haven't had any weird side effects and I'm not what you call a "model patient". The first night I was on a binge drinking night and took it as soon as I went to bed. The next day I just felt the side effects of binge drinking, no more, no less than any other night like this... The following, I had had MJ and same thing, just the high from the MJ but no effect whatsoever from Atripla. No strange feelings, nausea, dizziness, weight gain/loss or anything like that. Like someone said, I'm a bit disappointed for not having the "promised" vivid dreams (which I actually had long before taking it) or feeling dizzy or with an upset stomach. I've even had lots of different snacks after the munchies from the MJ set in and the next day is as normal as any. As I'm quite an anxious person and had panic attacks a while ago, sometimes I take Clonagin (Klonopin in the US) and even this hasn't created any fuss. I sleep well, carry on with my life as if I was taking some over-the-counter vitamins...
I think it affects everybody in a different way. Don't be afraid! I was afraid those nasty side effects could happen to me, but they didn't. Sometimes it's just all in one's head for worrying too much about it.
This is just my experience and hope it stays the same. I'm a social drinker, chain smoker, seldom MJ user and pretty anxious person. Maybe with all of the stuff I've done before, my body has been more resistant to Atripla... but again, this is just my story :)
Good luck!
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Update for all of you who gave great replies to my original posts:
I am now 6 weeks into the ATRIPLA treatment. Some side effects but much lower now than before. CD4 count went from 70 to 390 and VL dropped from 400,000 to 900 in 6 weeks. Clearly this drug is working. Would love to hear from others who have been on Atripla for 12 months or more and their recovery process on the CD4/VL levels. Thanks !
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Sfjay94114
I started Atripla on 4/23/2011 with CD4 at 378 and VL at 14500 and as of 3/23/2012 CD4 is now 640 and VL-UD. I take my Atripla a bed time with no real side effects. Just hang on.
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I've been on it for almost 2 and 1/2 years with only minor side effects. I take it first thing in the morning. So long as I have 30-45 minutes before eating breakfast, I'm fine. If I eat food too soon I get a slight buzz for 2 hours or so.
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Sadly, I had some nasty side effects from Atripla. I don't drink or do drugs so the experience from the first morning of Atripla was trippy. I was half awake, I thought my room was changing colors, my limbs felt like they were made of jello and moving in slow motion. I was dizzy for like two weeks each time I'd wake up when starting it.
The big issue was sleep and weakness. I had really vivid dreams every single night. I would be so tired and weak that it was hard to function or concentrate. When I'd talk to my Dr, he'd tell me it would go away, when they didn't a year later - he just said that was odd - but didn't do anything or make a suggestion, so I suffered through it for years.
When I switched Dr's and my T's were going down, he felt stress, lack of sleep, and weakness were all a factor due to the Atripla and had me come off it. I also have two friends who just came off it, and see a therapist who had about four people he knew that stopped it as well, all having weakness issues. Also had a neighbor who went on Atripla, he is a really friendly guy, his mood changed drastically, even attacked his longterm partner. He came off it too.
I just started Truvada/Viramune and have had some days where I felt much more normal. I feel like I'm coming out of a fog and had been in a coma for four years. I'm glad to see it's working for most people though, everyone is different so medications are going to effect us all in different ways.
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I have been on sustiva and Truvada for about a year now.
At first I was really drunk at night and stoned in the morning, but after two months or so that ended.
A few months ago I had vomiting in the mornings but no other issues.
Nausea has ended for a month now and all is fine.
Other than taking a pill or two (sometimes the sustiva/ Truvada or sometimes the Atripla) every night, I feel normal again. Funny how a year ago I thought all was over but now it is all back to whatever normal is for me.
Life can get better for everyone.
Cheers,
Hoover
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I really like your post it was very encouraging to me :)
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I have been on Atripla for about 8 years now and I take it at bed time. In all this time I can only say that once in a while I have a buzzed feeling from it. It only lasts a few minutes and as for anything else I have not noticed anything. One thing I mentioned to my doc recently is that I sometimes feel like I am having an out of body experience. I still function fine and I get a warning before it starts. My doc said he has had other people tell him the same thing and not to worry about it.
And only taking one pill a day plus my blood pressure pill is a lot better than all the ones I had to take before.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today (July 12, 2006) approved Atripla Tablets. You actually haven't been on it 6 years yet.
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Tonight marks my first full week on Atripla and I really don't have any side effects. The first night I think my nerves won out and I was just too nervous that crazy stuff would happen. I did get a sore stomach or odd feeling in my stomach the first two mornings after, but I think much was due to me taking the medication and then going to bed right away without sitting up very long to let the medication digest in my stomach. So now I take it at 9pm, when I normal go to bed around 10:30 and sit up close to an hour to let it digest good. Then off to bed I go. I don't even get the vivid dreams I was expecting.
So my first week has passed and so far haven't had much side effects.
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Hi Bud, welcome to the forums.
It's great to hear that it's "so far, so good" for you on the Atripla. I hope it continues that way for you.
May I ask, what were your numbers like etc when you started?
Ann
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Hello Ann. My numbers from my last blood work prior to going on Atripla were cd4 276, and VL 7123. I was infected in 2006. Luckily I found out right during my system changing over from Neg to Pos, since my test came back neither. Since that time my doctor has been monitoring my levels every 6 months. This is the first time my cd4 count dropped to 276. I knew this day was coming when I'd have to start medication and always feared the drugs would do wild things to me or cause issues would effect my work. But its been a week so far and I really can't complain about any side effects that it is causing me, except for the first two mornings where my stomach felt sore or odd. I think a lot of that was caused by simply taking the pill and laying down and trying to fall asleep right away and it really never giving it much time for the pill to digest into my system. I go back in 4 more weeks for my next blood work and will surely update you on how my system is handling Atripla.
One big question I have for those already on Atripla, is how does social drinking effect your system while on Atripla. I wouldn't say I'm a heavy drinker but at times I do like to go out and social with friends and have a few. Any pointers or recommendations for a newbie? ;)