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I've been on Atripla for almost 9 years now. Only HIV drug I have ever taken. Great results on the virus. Side effects, I can't sleep, buzzed feeling a couple hours after taking, hot flashes that last a few hours, and most recently I get increased humming/buzzing noise in my ears that will start about an hour after taking to five hours later. It gets so loud sometimes, that I want to cut my ears off. Hopefully the meds are not causing some serious long term damage.
I have been unable to walk for about two weeks and the pain in my legs and lower back makes me cry out to the father for help I did not no this drug would do this two me when the the Dr put me on this drug she did not tell me that I would expe nev pain and would not be able to walk at this time I have been in the bed everyday and needs help getting in and out of bed too and from the bathroom taking a shower are bath getting up and down in the tub can't do much for myself and it makes me sad help
I began taking Sustiva in 2007, The debilitating side effects began immediately. Dementia, paranoia, hallucinations, inability to discern reality from dreaming were present and prevalent for the twelve weeks of use. My doctor kept assuring me they would go away. They did not, now several years later the symptoms are still present, they decreased after cessation but never completely.
I tried Atripla for three days and enough was enough. The first night I thought I was in full cardiac arrest from a bad hallucination. My doctor said I should have given it more time but I didnt like the paranoid sensations. Fortunately, Complera came out and he suggested I go on it. Complera is hard on the stomach but I can sleep at night.
There's no doubt Sustiva does a lot of good and is better than many drugs that came before it. But this kind of news is a reason for people to still consider delaying these meds if they really don't need them yet, instead of the new treat-everyone at any cd4 approach (*cough* so drug co's can sell more).
Perfectly said Brian. How convenient that this is released just before the patent on sustiva expires. But hey, I'm sure we'll all be privileged enough to pay $10,000 a month for "Newtripla" once patents are renewed on Truvada for it's new use and a reformulated Sustiva that doesn't cause brain damage. We're never getting a cure. These people are playing the system like a freaking violin. What's really disgusting is that we're supposed to be elated by every note they hit.
Just as the patent is set to expire-whammo-thank you for telling me what I know nearly cost me my sanity, caused me to fail at my job, and caused my MDs to tell me all medications work equally well and side effects are not significant. This medication never should have made market yet remains not only on market but first line treatment. Great that it clear blood brain barrier so it kills you brain neurons but hey they are HIV free whoopee. BMS, join Gilead in house of shame but please cure HepC.
Vern58
I often wondered if my over 20 years of using the Atripla cocktail has done some damage to my memory. Lately I have wondered if it is time to switch regimens,but Atripla has done so well with me,I have one of the strongest immune systems my MDs have ever seen. I am undetectable to the point that the most sensitive tests has to be used to count my HIV levels. My Ts are through the roof and have never even had a glitch in my counts. This is a conundrum.
March 7, 2018 • Honomu Hawaii