Starting medication

My doctor and I decided to start medication on 3/9/12. I realize this is early to start meds but the new studies are showing that early initiation of antiretrovirals (ARVs) appears to have beneficial outcomes in the long run. My CD4 did drop below 500 which is now the cut off to start meds anyway per the CDC guidelines on HIV treatment. I chose to start with Atripla which is three meds in one. I went for Atripla for several reasons but mainly cost and convenience. I'd rather pay one co-pay vs. three and take one pill versus three. I have heard there are better combinations a propos side effects but I can always change down the road, so I figured.

My first night on Atripla was a bit daunting. I had this overwhelmingly strong drugged effect about 2 hours after taking the pill. My limbs felt heavy, my body flushed, my mind foggy. I also had vivid dreams which is another side effect of the pill but thankfully it was just vivid and not a nightmare. Unfortunately I had to work the next morning and much to my chagrin I woke up still feeling drugged/foggy. This effect lasted for a few hours into my shift and then gradually faded. 

I've since learned to take the pill earlier in the evening to avoid this effect. Other side effects include gas, bloating which I hear is pretty typical. This is annoying but tolerable for now. The drugged feeling still occurs every once in a while usually after eating high fat foods. I do worry about long term side effects such as kidney/liver problems but I figure I can worry about those problems when they come. My decision to start meds was a personal one but I felt that I wanted to be proactive in fighting this bugger virus from the get go. I have also read that chronic inflammation related to uncontrolled viral replication causes more long term problems than those seen from taking long term medication. I will continue to update my experience with meds as this is the primary tool in the fight against the virus. I hope to be undetectable within no time!!