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Author Topic: Do the side effects go away???  (Read 8657 times)

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Offline ik

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Do the side effects go away???
« on: February 08, 2011, 08:41:23 am »
After taking the Atripla I feel a little drunk and trippy an hour later (although I dont get tired).  I have been taking them for about 10 days.  Although its good to know I am getting the feeling of being drunk free of charge without having to goto the pub  ;D I am not sure I would like this every night from now on!

Do the side effects ware off eventually so I can just take the Atripla and then carry on as normal without really feeling like I have taken it?
 ::)

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2011, 10:43:54 am »
Hey ik,

The side effects will generally lessen with time, although they don't always.

There are a few things you can do to lessen them.

First, don't eat two hours prior to taking it. One example would be to have a light supper at 6 or 7 p.m., then eschew food for a few hours, take your pill and retire for the evening.

This is just an example, the time frame is up to you.

Also, avoid heavy, fatty or fried foods in the evening. These seem to accentuate the side effects.

I wish you much success with Atripla. It is the easiest regimen out there.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline newt

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,900
  • the one and original newt
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2011, 11:38:32 am »
Aztecan's suggestions are good ones. A typical Atripla adjustment period would be about 3 weeks.

But if after a while you know you can't hack the side effects, or don't want to put up with them, it is perfectly reasonable to talk to your doc and see about a different combination.

- matt
"The object is to be a well patient, not a good patient"

Offline RBH

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2011, 03:23:16 pm »
I do what aztecan suggests and I take it shortly before going to bed so I can sleep through any effects. His comments about fatty foods are valid. The odd time when I've been awake for awhile after taking it lately, I have noticed that the dizziness is much less than it was when I started last November.

But I'm getting tired of the super-vivid dreams. I'm feeling a bit rattled and anxious during my waking hours, I think because I'm getting this excessive REM sleep. My specialist says it can take up to 6 months for that to diminish. I'm going to tough it out because my results have been so good - I tested undetectable after 3 weeks of treatment - and I love being able to take one pill a day.

Offline ik

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2011, 07:44:29 am »
Thank you so much for getting back :)) it's day 15 now & side affects ie dizziness are getting better already. I generally take it about 2 hours after my evening meal as I've been told not to have with food. Would you think this is long enough after a meal. As I've been concerned that the food maybe absorbing the tablet. I think 2 hours should be ok. The good thing is I'm not having unpleasant side affects taking 2 hours after a meal. Also another question I asked & didn't really get any replies from was timings to take ATRIPLA. My time is 11pm. I stick to that Altho have had it 45 minutes before or just after 11pm. I've been told 2 hours either side is ok.
Glad to hear you are doing so well. :))) keep it up. If you could get back would be very greatful. Thank you again
Hugs & best wishes

Offline RBH

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2011, 10:32:14 am »
You can check with your pharmacist but taking any meds on an empty stomach typically means 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. Taking the pill the same time every day is good but my understanding is also that 2 hours either way is not a problem. If you forget, you should take it within 12 hours. I bought myself one of those day-of-the-week pill containers to help me remember, because one night I couldn't remember if I'd taken one or not. So I may have taken two that night - my pharmacist said that was the right thing to do - better safe than sorry.

Offline ik

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2011, 06:16:50 am »
Cheers for all your advice & to everyone else who has replied to my questions. All the best

Offline itsimple

  • Member
  • Posts: 9
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2011, 08:08:00 pm »
Ik,
  To lessen your side effects, take Atripla a half hour to an hour before bed. This plan  should also correspond to the 2 hours after a meal rule. Even after taking Atripla for awhile, the dizziness may briefly return so you should avoid driving and such. The package insert is very helpful with information on side effects and how to avoid them. I have vivid dreams but they are not frightening, unlike reports from some users. Meditation exercises just before bed may help with those if you get them. Interesting thought on the dreams, what if Atripla "helps" you remember dreams that you would have otherwise. Maybe the dreams were always there, now you just remember them better.

Offline drewm

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,248
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2011, 08:15:11 pm »
I adjusted to Atripla in about three weeks. Hang in there!
Diagnosed in  May of 2010 with teh AIDS.

PCP Pneumonia . CD4 8 . VL 500,000

TRIUMEQ - VALTREX -  FLUOXETINE - FENOFIBRATE - PRAVASTATIN - CIALIS


Numbers consistent since 12/2010 - VL has remained undetectable and CD4 is anywhere from 275-325

Offline RBH

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2011, 08:30:55 pm »
what if Atripla "helps" you remember dreams that you would have otherwise. Maybe the dreams were always there, now you just remember them better.

Since I was a kid I have been able to remember a lot of my dreams. I have no doubt that Atripla has increased the amount of REM sleep that occurs in my sleep cycle. My dreams are long and highly vivid but not frightening. I can feel the side effect decreasing gradually: in the past week I haven't remembered a couple of them, and they seem to be declining in intensity and length.

Offline drewm

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,248
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #10 on: February 16, 2011, 09:01:33 pm »
@RBH > I have had some vivid dreams that I could awaken from and the go back to. ( I KNOW, SOME POWERFUL STUFF). They seem to subside for awhile and then they come back sometime. Do you know anything about them going away and coming back again.
Diagnosed in  May of 2010 with teh AIDS.

PCP Pneumonia . CD4 8 . VL 500,000

TRIUMEQ - VALTREX -  FLUOXETINE - FENOFIBRATE - PRAVASTATIN - CIALIS


Numbers consistent since 12/2010 - VL has remained undetectable and CD4 is anywhere from 275-325

Offline RBH

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2011, 09:12:26 pm »
@drewm - No, I haven't been on it long enough to have experienced a cycle. I think a little 420 or having a beer or two earlier in the evening can be an exacerbating factor, or the aforementioned fatty food.

Offline rafff1

  • New Member
  • Posts: 1
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2011, 01:11:52 am »
Ike
I've been taking atripla now for about 3 years.For the most part that drunken feeling does go away.I still get it sometimes but not real often anymore.Your best bet might be to take your med just before going to bed.That way you can sleep through it if it bothers you.Let me know how it works out for you
Good luck
Rich

Offline ik

  • Member
  • Posts: 13
Re: Do the side effects go away???
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2011, 10:33:51 am »
Hi rich thanks for your msg. I only just read it today. Thanks for all the advice. I find it hard taking it just before bed as I work shifts. Sometimes I'm asleep by 10 & other nights I can be up till 3am. So I tend to take my tablet between 9pm & 11pm. Was concerned about this but my doc said a couple of hours either side would be no problem. You have been on ATRIPLA for 3 years now. Would you mind if I asked about your timings? Do you always stick to same time or is it ok between 9-11pm? Also I tend to have it after food. Evening meals differ for me but I stop eating 2 hours before taking the tablet. A couple of evenings I had it at 9pm & than
Had a meal after 11pm. I found that was ok also & had no bad side affects from it. I've just finished my first month of tablets & im going for my 1st viral load test tomorrow. Keeping everything crossed. I was 141'000 copies before I started the treatment. Thank you for your reply again rich. Hope you are keeping well & when you get a chance if you could reply, I would be very grateful.
All the best :))) thanks for your time again

 


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