Sustiva (atripla) Withdrawal? Drug holiday and illness.

[a2area]

Hi,
I have been taking Atripla for almost a year but couldn't deal with the growing symptoms of panic and depression it caused for me.  This past Wednesday my Dr. and I decided to change to Truvada + Viramune.  I decided to take a couple days off of meds so I could clean out my system a little and yesterday (only 2 days off meds) I got a chest and head cold + a sore throat.  I am starting my new regimen today... but wondered.. could this illness be linked to coming off of Atripla, stopping ALL meds for 3 days (wed, thurs, fri), or is it just a coincidence?

I would call my Dr. but he is out of town for another week.

Thanks for any help.
Brian


PS.. my Viral Load was undetectable and my CD4's were 299

[blondbeauty]

When you switch to a new treatment you are not supposed to take a "holiday". You should start the new treatment immediately.

[tash08]

Start your Truvada+Viramune immediately you're risking developing resistance. About your cold it could be just a Cold but you want to start back on your treatment just because you were undetactable it doesn't mean that you can take a drug holiday to "clean your system".

[BobF]

Hi Brian --- yes do start your meds right away.  I've been told to never stop meds without specific medical direction due to resistance fears.   I recommend that you advise your Doc that you've done so as he may want to test your counts sooner than otherwise planned.   And, I'd also contact the Doc's office about the cold to get that checked out.

Best wishes --

(also in A2)

[Miss Philicia]

For what it's worth the frequency with which I've gotten colds, chest congestion, bronchitis, etc. over the span of 15 years on HIV meds has been pretty much the same no matter if my cd4 count was 200, 400, 700 or +1,000.  The only thing that may be different is the severity and recuperation time.

However, it's helpful if an HIV patient is good at telling the difference between a common cold and a respiratory infection.  The latter sometimes might require an anti-biotic, but not a cold.  Most of the time even a respiratory infection can be managed with OTC Musinex D or something similar (it's just the same as getting a prescription for Guaifenex).

[LordBerners]

Of course I agree with what's been said about there being nothing to gain and plenty to lose by taking the 'treatment holiday' you proposed, original poster.

But I just wanted to comment about the issue of ordinary colds - I used to get them regularly back in my pre-positive days.  Bizarrely, they have become less and less frequent, reaching their nadir along with my CD4s at around 180.  I literally haven't gotten a cold in like a year.  It seems counterintuitive, but perhaps the body cannot mount any immune response - thus, no cold?

[zgood]

since been on atripla ,i have also been given dapsone 100mg.i had a really bad chest infection but for the year i have not even had a cold.

[leatherpoz]

I was taking Atripla and had to talk to my doc about getting off of it because of similar side effects. The panic, depression, night-terrors, anxiety as well as digestive problems were literally driving me crazy, more so than normal. He is switching me to Truvada & Viramune (which I'm looking forward to as there is no Sustiva involved).

My doc wants me to wait 2-7 days to start the new meds so the "Sustiva can get out of my system completely." After 4 days of no Sustiva, my sleep is returning to somewhat normal and I'm actually able to laugh be in a somewhat upbeat mood at times. 

I'm doing the "holiday" due to my doctors advice, not on my own. I was on Atripla for 4 weeks and was consistant with my dosing, and once I start the new meds, will continue to be consistant. I'm confident that the brief holiday isn't going to be a major problem and will help me decide if this combo is less troublesome for me by not getting side effects confused or carried over.

Guess my point is that I'm doing this WITH my doc's OK and recommendations and NOT taking a self prescribed holiday. Your doctor is (or should be and if not, get a new one!) your best source of information and recommendations and both of you should be involved in your healthcare decisions. My doc and I discuss options and he lets me have a say in what I put into my body or not. This allows me to trust him with my health issues.

Good luck and good health!
Mark 

[Desertguy]

I was also on Atripla for almost a year.  It worked great, liked the 1 pill a day thing.
But the cronic depression set in & I had to get off of it for the same reason as you.
But my Doc put me on Truvada & Kaletra &$$&%^%&&#$#  "BIG MISTAKE"

The Kaletra gvie me severe diaherra like 20-30 times a day.  So after 3 1/2 weeks I did call my Doc & told her I was going back on Atripla as I would rather be depressed that the shits!!!!!!

I ended up on Travuda & Viramune also but she never told me about the breaking in period with the Viramune.  Suppose to take 1 a day for 2 weeks then start the 2 a day.  I guess it can cause a rash with some severe in a few people.

So far no side effects I start the 2 ady tomorrow.

I was also off of meds for 5 days while my new ones arrived, she was not worried   "She also said to get the Sustiva out of my system"
I have blood work done on the 6th so I guess that will be the real test of the which.

[RapidRod]

I had to stop Sustiva for two days before switching to Kaletra to get the Sustiva out of my system and found out I couldn't take Kaletra and was switched back and put on another medication for my OI.

[Desertguy]

Rapid, why did you have to stop taking the Kaletra?

[a2area]

Thanks for all the replies everyone...  the cold was just a coincidence after all... and an antibiotic cleared it up pronto      I started taking the Truvada Viramune the day after my first post... so I was only off meds for 3 full days.  I love the combination.... no side effects whatsoever (well, just a tiny bit queasy the first day.. i think it's viramune) but since then.. nada!!

I suggest asking your dr. about Truvada + Viramune if you are having anxiety/depression with Atripla... i actually feel like "me" again.. and MOST importantly, I can sleep!!

Brian

[leatherpoz]

I got started on my new regime, Truvada and Viramune, and it's been a world of difference.

I'm taking it early evening, with food and am falling back into regular sleep again, *thankfully*!

The Sustiva (in the Atripla) seems to have cleared out of my system and the mental side effects are pretty much gone.  I actually went to a social function last night and had a good time socializing and getting to laugh, which has been rare lately. But, the return of my sleep & better mood are the most important things that I missed and were driving me more crazy than usual.

Good luck with your treatment and hope all continues to go well!

Mark

[RapidRod]

Rapid, why did you have to stop taking the Kaletra?

Severe stomach cramps and uncontrollable diarrhea.