Atripla

[steevm]

Hi all.  I tested poz on Nov 8 and my numbers were 436T adn 36K viral.  My 3mo checkup didn't go so well:  279T and 38K viral.  The doc put me on Atripla and I started this last Tuesday.  Dizziness was the worst side affect the next day, but nothing major.  Slept ok.  I'm also on Trazadone which helps the sleeping, I think.  My stomach feels like a cross between mild nausea and anxiety, but not major.  The only other thing is I feel like I'm racing around on Speed.  Buzzing like crazy.  I hope it'll all pass eventually.  No headaches so far, thank goodness.

I'm very sorry for those of you with major difficulties on the pill.  Know that I'm hoping for the best and you find the right drugs.

Thanks for letting me vent.  Been a tough go lately.

[strykern]

3 months in and I just got the great news today.

Viral Load = Undetectable
CD4 Count = 504 

I would say it's been worth the ride!

[BreakerOneNine]

3 months in and I just got the great news today.

Viral Load = Undetectable
CD4 Count = 504 

I would say it's been worth the ride!

Congrats!...I go tomorrow to get my 2 month blood work done...cant wait to see what my new numbers are...hopefully I continue to do well as you have.

[strykern]

My thoughts will be with you!  Good luck!

[jabez]

Great news, strykern!  (I hope those "GI issues" are gettin' better too.)

[strykern]

LOL - Small price to pay! 

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[jabez]

Amen, bro ... I'll see my doc next week and am hoping for the big "UND" on the viral load.  I notice you got it this time.  Your CD4s are lookin' good too.  It's worth a few "soft stools", I guess, lol.

[hottop101]

The sustiva in atripla may be a part of the problem with your son.  My own experience with sustiva was almost hallucinogenic, my partner finding me at 3am curled up in front of the fire place talking to myself !  This went on for 2 weeks when I decided that was enough, called my HIV/ID doc and stopped taking it!

Make sure your son's doc knows what is going on....there are many alternatives.

Best of luck! 

[Thinkahead55]

I have to say that I think Sustiva/Atripla is great stuff.  I was on straight Sustiva (with Kaletra) for 5 years prior to Atripla, so got it in its full dose (the dosage in Atripla is a little less than taking a full Sustiva pill by itself).  My first day on Sustiva was mad, I almost did not make it.  I could barely good walk, it was like an incredible high or drunk, barely could drive my car to work.  However, that drunkenness feeling wore away relatively quickly.  For me, Sustiva is phenomenal.  I find it easier to sleep because of the way it makes me dream.  Yes, the dreams are vivid, but if I wake in the middle of the night, it is easier to get back to sleep because I can easily think back to the last dream.  Although it really feels like you are living these dreams, you ARE sleeping, as I don't require more sleep than before.  However, I just am able to sleep longer.  During the week, I sleep 6-7 hours, but on weekends, I can log up to 10hrs.  This is a huge benefit to the immune system and means that I almost never get sick.  In the past 6 years (on Sustiva and Atripla) I have slept better than in my entire life.  I have jokingly tried to convince my wife of to go on the stuff is (she is neg). 

Now lets talk effectiveness, Kaletra with Sustiva was the first time I was undet and the first time CD4>600.  Kaletra after 5 years caused my cholestrol to rise too high, so I switched to Atripla 8 months ago.  Even better.  CD4>700 even 800 sometimes, still undet.  Kaletra from a GI standpoint is less desirable, as Atripla feels more normal.  But, heck, I don't really know what normal is anymore, too many years of lots of stuff. 

Recognizing drug experiences are personal and everyone has different experiencs, but that is mine.

[Crys919]

Hi, everyone I was diagnosed in September. They told me that my viral load was 460,000 and CD4 count was 4, thanks to Atripla on my last visit on January 15th my viral load was undectable and CD4 was 90. I haven't had any serious side effects but I do experience a lot of fatigue. I used to have the vivid dreams and alot of trouble sleeping along with constant nausea. Now I take Atripla at 9 am and the side effects are all gone except for the fatigue. It works so much better for me because I sleep at a different time each night and found it hard to take consistantly since I like to go out. So for me the morning works best.