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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: vaguesbleues on September 19, 2011, 05:26:26 pm

Title: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 19, 2011, 05:26:26 pm
Yesterday was day 1 of starting Atripla.  I'd read quite a bit about the potential side effects and spoken with two friends of mine who have taken this medicine, and so I was a bit apprehensive when I went to take the first dose last night.  I sat on the couch watching TV with the pill sitting there for about 20 minutes before I finally just though "f__ it" and jammed it into my mouth and guzzled some water.  I made sure not to eat anything for the 3-4 hours before the dose.  I finished my TV show and went right into bed. 

When I woke up at 3:45 a.m. that's when I noticed things were much crazier than I was expecting.  I was drenched in sweat, and yes, I could remember having a very strange dream, but what concerned me was the rather vivid hallucinations I had upon waking up.  The digital clock projector numbers were swirling, while neon-like words kept moving around my ceiling.  There were these angel-like faces that kept appearing in the bedroom doorway when I looked over, like the ones that are atop old Renaissance era paintings.  And the creepiest part was when the furniture from the hallway started to morph into this person holding a mirror walking towards me.  I could handle crazy dreams, but hallucinations were a bit more than I was expecting.  I've never tried anything like LSD or mushrooms, but I swear that it must be like that.  I got up to use the bathroom, and I apparently stood up too fast as I instantly fell forward into the wall (thank goodness it was there, otherwise I'd have fallen flat on my face!). 

I did make it back to sleep fairly quickly, and thankfully when I woke up in the morning I wasn't as bad.  Much of today I've just had this slight dizziness and light buzz feeling similar to what you get after downing a glass or two of champagne too fast.  I'm hopeful that the side effects will lower in intensity over the next few days.  The convenience of taking one pill and not having to worry about it otherwise is very appealing.  But if not, then I'm afraid I'm going to have to talk to the doctor if it's not any better in the next month or so. 

It's gonna be quite the trippy next few days I bet!
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: Mp11 on September 19, 2011, 06:28:06 pm
This sounds familiar - kind of like my first night on Atripla.  It can be way craaazy at first as your body adjusts.  Tonight will be better.  Tomorrow night will be even better.  Keep with it and give it time - I'm about seven weeks in and can barely remember the side effects that hit during the first week or so - I haven't experienced any since then and I seemed to experience most of them at first.
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 19, 2011, 10:24:07 pm
Thanks.  We'll see how tonight goes.  I was fully expecting the crazy dreams & dizziness in the morning.  But the hallucinations while awake in the middle of the night was something I was most definitely NOT expecting.  At least I didn't have any problems getting back to sleep.  Dreams I can handle....but creepy sights while awake?  NO thanks!
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: buginme2 on September 19, 2011, 11:18:07 pm
Don't Worry, my first night was very similar.  The second night for me was much better and the side effects did lesson each day.  That warm feeling in the middle of the night, it gets better.  It took a couple months though to completely go away with me though.
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: GusInJune on September 19, 2011, 11:32:37 pm
Sounds like my first few nights. I didn't mind it at all, I sort of embraced it (hehe). Its fun while it lasts. I also had some open eye visuals and lucidness when I woke up in the middle of night. Now most of the effects are during sleep I believe, but I always have insane dreams so it might not be affecting me.

While we're on the subject of side effects, what's the whole deal on having to take Atripla on an empty stomach? Is it highly necessary to its efficacy? or is it just a direction in order to reduce nausea? because I don't have any problems with nausea, but I HATE going to bed on an empty stomach. I don't really gorge right before bed as that's unhealthy but a little snack makes me more comfortable and sleep better. Of course I usually eat the snack earlier or not at all anymore, because of wanting to be very sure the Atripla works as well as it can.
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 19, 2011, 11:46:40 pm
As far as I know, taking Atripla with food can increase the CNS side effects in some people.  I figured at the beginning, I'd not chance it.  I had an empty stomach and the side effects were still beyond belief.  I can't imagine what it'd be like if they were worse with food!
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: Ann on September 20, 2011, 06:01:07 am
While we're on the subject of side effects, what's the whole deal on having to take Atripla on an empty stomach?

Food, particularly food that is high in fat, tends to increase CNS side-effects in many (but not all) people. You can experiment with this. I'd recommend you start out with a low-fat snack and build up from there. Good luck - I don't really like going to bed on a completely empty stomach either, I usually have a small snack.


edited to add....

You might want to do your experimenting with a bedtime snack at the weekend or other times when you do not have to get up and be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed first thing in the morning, just in case you have an increase in the morning fogginess that sometimes accompanies Atripla.
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 20, 2011, 02:12:39 pm
Day 2:  It was SO much better last night.  While I woke up a bit in the middle of the night and tossed and turned, I didn't have all the crazy hallucinations that I had the first night.  My tummy hurt quite a bit, but that's been going on the past few weeks, so I'm unsure if that is a result of the medicine or just the underlying inflammation I've had.  Honestly, I was a bit scared to take the medicine last night as the first night was so crazy, but wasn't nearly as bad the second night.  Here's hoping the third night is even more of a breeze! 

And thanks for the advice on the snacking.  I used to have a tiny snack around 10-11 p.m. and would head to bed around 1 a.m.  But having to skip this snack the last two days has resulted in me being RAVENOUS by the morning.  I'll have to give that a try in a few weeks once the CNS symptoms settle down. 

Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: mecch on September 20, 2011, 02:27:02 pm
The first week was trippy for me. Then it calmed down.  Wild dreams continued for the whole period of being on it, but they were not nightmares.

After a month or two, the CSN effects - irritable, sometimes angry, and anxious - really started to seem noticeable.  Eventually, the Doc was OK to change me. 

I have no basis for stating this, but I suspect people who feel the trippy effects the first week, and get the dreams, should be especially on the watch out for the cns effects that might, might, eventually cause a problem during daily life.

Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: phildinftlaudy on September 20, 2011, 07:24:37 pm
For most people the effects do pass within a few days to a couple of weeks...
I still get an occasional vivid dream - but, I eat whenever I want and whatever I want - right before and right after taking it and have my Coronas before, after and when taking it (at times).

Different strokes for different folks ---- if the effects are too bothersome, I would definitely recommend talking to your doc.

Best of luck with the Atripla - it has been great for me...

-Phil
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: Ann on September 21, 2011, 08:36:17 am
I used to have a tiny snack around 10-11 p.m. and would head to bed around 1 a.m. 

This should actually be ok for you. Eating two hours before your Atripla shouldn't cause problems as the food would already be pretty well digested, particularly if you're only eating a small snack.

Glad to hear your side-effects have already started to settle down. Good luck tonight.
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: BM on September 21, 2011, 08:37:57 am
My ex had some funny experiences on it like when he woke up convinced he was a woman and then started giggling uncontrollably when he thought of the word "fart". Less funny was when he woke up convinced the world was ending. I also seemed to get the occasional contact high just from sleeping next to him!
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: Ann on September 21, 2011, 08:51:19 am
I also seemed to get the occasional contact high just from sleeping next to him!

I thought I was the only one - or just imagining it. More often than not, I have really, really crazy dreams when I sleep with my boyfriend (he's on Sustiva) - particularly if we've had sex (we go bb). It never happened years ago when we were both still hiv negative.
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: Assurbanipal on September 21, 2011, 10:56:49 am
I thought I was the only one - or just imagining it. More often than not, I have really, really crazy dreams when I sleep with my boyfriend (he's on Sustiva) - particularly if we've had sex (we go bb). It never happened years ago when we were both still hiv negative.

Or perhaps it is just that guys on Atripla (or at least Sustiva) are really good in bed?

 :)

Hmmm... that could be a testable scientific hypothesis -- gives a certain je ne  sais quoi to the concept of the double blind trial.



So vagues... hope things are looking up
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 21, 2011, 04:37:21 pm
Thanks everyone.  Last night was Day 3 on Atripla.  I'm still quite apprehensive about it all, and last night wasn't all that enjoyable.  While I don't have the hallucinations or really any crazy dreams, I did wake up last night periodically and just felt like the entire world was spinning.  It feels almost as if I've just crawled into bed after a night of HEAVY drinking and can't seem to get to sleep.  I can't get comfortable, and my entire body feels tingly.  It really isn't a great feeling.  I woke up very dizzy today, so much so that it was actually a debate whether or not to just stay home from school.  I'm sure it is just because my body is adjusting, but I just can't imagine staying on this medicine if this is how it will always be for me. 
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 21, 2011, 04:40:11 pm
I really wouldn't mind the crazy dreams, but the feelings of being totally out of control of my body whenever I wake up, the dizziness, the tingliness, the stomach cramping (although that was happening prior to starting atripla)....not fun.  

I don't know how you could do about anything after having taken this medicine.  I can barely get up to go to the bathroom for hours afterwards, let alone have sex!  I'm definitely looking forward to it calming down!
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: mecch on September 21, 2011, 06:26:17 pm
Vagues
You are going to have to stick it out for a few weeks to see what the final result is.  

I don't know if this helps you, but I can give you a little perspective on starting HAART from my experience.

I started a few months after seroconversion because my body cold not put up a decent fight on the viral load. It soared and soared, a million, then two million, etc etc.  After a few months I was already slowing down considerably and had little energy.  

I was on my last week of summer holiday when I started and had to start teaching just a few days into HAART.  I had a very trippy couple of days and nights.  But I can tell you, I just decided to go along for the trip and function right through it.  I was just SO HAPPY that i had HAART and it was going to control my HIV infection.  I was thrilled by that.  I remember getting off the train walking to work and the sky was like a light LSD trip.  Nights were eventful. Dreams wild.  But I can also tell you just a day after starting HAART, my body also heaved a huge sigh of relief.  I felt it. Relief.  And energy was restored within days.  

So I was perfectly happy to waddle through my days at home and at work even though I felt pretty odd and spaced.  Haven't you ever been forced to go to work stoned, or still drunk?  You just relax and do your best and it fades, really.  

After a few months, sustiva was not for me and I was switched off.   But it wasn't a tortuous few months, in comparison to what would have happened, without HAART.  

Some people start HAART without the slightest sensation but others like us, its definitely a different feeling. But it will fade, really.  And if finally its not for you, there are other options.

If starting haart is something you can really feel, it suggests you are someone who is very intouch with your body, your chemistry.  So try looking for signs, other than the trippyness, that your body is grateful it doesn't have to fight so hard anymore.  I bet you will feel these too, if you try to.


Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 21, 2011, 07:59:58 pm
Thanks Mecch.  I'm definitely going to be staying the course with Atripla, and I'm incredibly thankful to finally be able to DO SOMETHING to control my HIV.  I felt so helpless after my initial diagnosis, and I'm ready to just hit it down.  Finally starting meds is kind of like taking my power back in a way, stating that I won't let this disease take me over.  While the side effects aren't any fun, at least I have a whole host of options left to me as I don't have any resistance.  I'm looking forward to seeing how things are progressing at my next appt. in early Nov.

Cheers,

-Brian
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: buginme2 on September 21, 2011, 08:29:55 pm
Thanks Mecch.  I'm definitely going to be staying the course with Atripla, and I'm incredibly thankful to finally be able to DO SOMETHING to control my HIV.  I felt so helpless after my initial diagnosis, and I'm ready to just hit it down.  Finally starting meds is kind of like taking my power back in a way, stating that I won't let this disease take me over.  While the side effects aren't any fun, at least I have a whole host of options left to me as I don't have any resistance.  I'm looking forward to seeing how things are progressing at my next appt. in early Nov.

Cheers,

-Brian

Thats a great outlook! 
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 24, 2011, 06:02:24 pm
Yay!  Last night was Day 6 on Atripla, and it was the very first night in which I slept completely through the night.  All I have had yesterday and today was some slight dizziness, but otherwise, nothing too crazy like the first night.  Here's to hoping all of the side effects go away (or at least most of them), and to being UD as quickly as possible. 

I'm also really excited to get my energy back.  I'm hopeful I'll be able to get back to the gym this week.  And besides, if the dizziness continues to be a problem, at least they make the Ellipticals with handlebars so that if I start to get woozy I can hold on for dear life!
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: Mycen on September 24, 2011, 06:47:58 pm
I'm on day 3 of Atripla and my dream/hallucinations were of having sex w/ Ryan Reynolds on night 1.  Night 2 it was a let down, not nearly as exciting.  Figured I'd check the forums to see if the dreams would be as intense but I guess they wear off. Oh well, guess I'll always have that amazing night 1 ;) ah *shivers*
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 24, 2011, 11:59:51 pm
Hahahaha!  That sounds like an awesome dream to be having!  I unfortunately have only had one make-out dream...the strongest side effects were hallucinations while I was awake the first night. 

Dang it, now I'm jealous.  I want to have THAT dream :P
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: mecch on September 25, 2011, 05:18:43 pm
Vague,
it is surely good that the dreams die down quickly.  But you might count on having some eventually, as little bonus.  I personally never had nightmares per se but they were sometimes so wild they were exhausting.
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 28, 2011, 01:29:56 pm
I've finished the first 10 DAYS on Atripla, and I must say that I feel better now than I have since finding out that I'm positive.  The CNS side effects have pretty much gone away.  I've not had any issues sleeping through the night, no crazy/vivid dreams, and I've noticed that the last three days I am waking up before my alarm even goes off with no dizziness whatsoever.  I've also noticed that pretty much all of the headaches I had been experiencing are pretty well gone.  Kinda makes me wanna jump outta bed and get back in my routine of working out in the AM before school.  :)

The only side effect that I've noticed since yesterday morning is a slight red set of bumps under the skin all over my chest, back and arms.  I'm assuming this is the "Atripla rash" that so many seem to experience.  It's not bad at all, doesn't itch, and really isn't that noticeable unless you look for it.  Hopefully that calms down in the next few days.  Otherwise, it might be time to start on some Benadryl.  

While the first week or so on Atripla (or aTRIPla as I preferred to spell it the first few days) wasn't exactly a walk in the park, I'm very glad to see that it is working out so well for me in regards to the side effects.  Here's to hoping it's doing a great job at beating back that damn virus!
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: Mp11 on September 28, 2011, 04:56:14 pm
Yay!  Congrats on getting through the worst of the CNS symptoms and your success so far. 

I'm one of the guys who got the rash and mine started small about 7-8 days after starting Atripla.  The day after I first noticed it, it spread across my chest, back, arms, and legs.  Regular doses of Benedryl calmed it down and it faded and was gone a few days later.

Based on what I went through, I wish I'd started the Benedryl sooner, but in the scheme of things, it wasn't the end of the world.  These days I feel "normal" again and it's good watching the numbers as my VL went from 188k to 1k in a month.  I'm sure this rash will be short lived and you'll be happy when you see your next set of labs.
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: lonbjny on September 29, 2011, 11:42:25 am
Thanks for posting as your story seems very similar to mine. I am on day 3.
 
Day 1 - Crazy night, horrifying nightmares,  hungover all day
Day 2 - slept whole night with bad dreams, 12 hours after taking had a noticeable improvement to hangover feeling, had 5 hours of feeling OK  just before next dose
Day 3 - moved time I took it forward two hours so I could  have more normal time during day

Am hoping that once I get to day 7 (when I have to go back to work) I will be on track with you. You have given me the optimism I need. Thank you.
I am planning to take benadryl 50mg overnight on nights 5-10 in the hope it minimizes rash potential. Will let people know if this works as a strategy. I guess a few people might find that useful if it works. Though if I get no rash we will never know if that is just luck.

Cheers everyone
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on September 29, 2011, 01:37:01 pm
Lonbjny,

Hopefully your CNS side effects will calm down quickly.  I've been fortunate to not have much in the way of memorable dreams from taking Atripla, but most of the side effects I did have I encountered while awake.  The hungover feeling the first week or so was the worst, and that really is the best way to describe it.  Headache, dizziness, stomach feeling as if someone else had it and was squeezing the life out of it.  But day by day, your side effects should minimize and hopefully fade away into the background. 

Last night I did make the mistake of eating my dinner a bit too late and consequently too close to my bedtime.  Woke up this morning for the first time in almost 5 days incredibly dizzy.  So I'll have to be more cautious in the future to be sure to give myself a good solid 2-3 hours of no food before taking it. 

Let me know how the benadryl goes as well.  I contemplated taking that to help with the rash yesterday, but as it also causes me to be super drowsy, it didn't seem worth it to me.  The rash is almost gone today after 2 days anyways. 

Best of luck!
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: lonbjny on October 01, 2011, 05:57:56 pm
Its now day 5 on Atripla for me and I feel like I have gone backwards. Sorry if this is sounds too self indulgent as I know it is only first week of treatment

The hangover feeling is OK, if anything better every day,  but have been hit by a wave of tiredness and, unusually for me, am feeling very sad (I don't know how else too describe it) I have no particular reason for this. It is before 6pm and I am struggling to keep my eyes awake despited sleeping well through the night for the past 2 nights. I feel miserable but don't know why.

Does anyone have any suggestions, feel like I am really struggling today. I have no reason to be sad but I am not clear if this can be caused by Atripla
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: papichasing on October 02, 2011, 07:35:44 am
I didn't have any hallucinations but I had almost all the side effects related to atripla including the vivid and weird dreams. All I can tell you it's that everything will be back to normal after some time and eventually you will see an incredible improvement in your health. I've been on Atripla for 2 years now and ironically I think that I feel better now than ever before in my life. I still have the vivid dreams sometimes and call me weird but I do enjoy them. Good luck and keep taking the medication and I promise you that you won't regret it.
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: lonbjny on October 02, 2011, 10:36:21 am
OK, am guessing now that yesterday's downturn was a result of atripla sas the miserable feeling was a little bit too like 'clockwork' (came on really quickly - lasted about 5 hours) without any external reason for feeling bad.

I have virtually no hangover today :) and am feeling like my first day back at work tomorrow (my Day 7) might be OK :) as long as I am back home in the evening early enough in case I get yesterday's nasty surprise.

Have started taking benadryl at night and will all this week in the hope it helps avoid the Week 2 rash

Onwards and upwards :)
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: Ac75088 on October 04, 2011, 02:49:04 am
Hi Vagues,

Wow, your first week of Atripla really took me back 5 months to when I first started..I stared at the pill bottle for about an hour before I had to force myself to take it...then it was the craziest night of my life..I was soooo happy when my side effects subsided finally..I still have the crazy dreams every night but those are actually kinda fun,,I even have a dream app on my phone where I record them each morning hehe
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: lonbjny on October 05, 2011, 08:31:11 am
Hi day 9 for me and I have a very mild rash on back. Does the rash build over time or come on quickly in people's experience?

 If this is al I am going to get it's going to be ok, skins a bit itchy but I can cope with it easily at present. Thanks
Title: Re: Started Atripla - Crazy side effects
Post by: vaguesbleues on October 05, 2011, 03:38:49 pm
Hey lonbjny,

I had a rash across my arms, chest and back from about day 8-10.  It was fairly faint, consisting of mainly little red dots.  I went to school in short-sleeved shirts and didn't have anyone notice it at all, and only when I mentioned it to a good friend did she even try to see it (which required squinting on her part).  I broke out into a rash around days 12-13 on my upper thighs which was significantly more itchy.  I took benadryl for about 3 days, and it has now cleared up completely.  For me, the rash in both cases were sudden.  I didn't notice it at all, and then "boom!" they were there.  If the itching and redness gets out of control, I'd recommend benadryl.  It helped a ton with itching for me.  If it gets continually worse, it might be time to visit the doctor again. 

Best of luck with Atripla!