Hello, I have been hiv+ since 1997, and was healthy until this past year, my cd4 went from 650 now to 124, but my viral load is not very high, 150,000. I have been on one previous cocktail, truvada, and viramune, i couldnt tolerate that regimen. Here is my question, i have had both panic disorder and depression for 15 years, and my doctor wants me to switch to Sustiva and Truvada. Do you think this is a wise choice? I can handle the Truvada, but i dont think i can handle the CNS effects of sustiva, just the thought of it sends me into panic and i vomit. Any advice you can give me is most appreciated. Thanks.

Sustiva is associated with some CNS adverse effects, including depression, insomnia, and vivid dreams. In most people who experience these adverse effects, they tend to occur early in treatment (first few weeks or months), and they may resolve on their own with the passing of time. There are some reports of more prolonged and severe adverse reactions, but this does not occur in the majority of cases.

If your doctor is recommending Sustiva, then you should discuss it and seriously consider it. If you do have an adverse reaction and can't tolerate it, then you can discontinue it. Whatever adverse effects it has will resolve when you stop the medication.