I just started Atripla three days ago (my first HAART regime; I'm 42 years old) and I have been feeling some of the side effects my doctor warned me about--dizziness, fatigue, mental fogginess. But yesterday, something happened I did not expect: A monstrously painful cramp start at the base of my skull, traveled down the left side of my neck and into my deltoid. It occurred without apparent cause (I was just at school sitting outside someone's office waiting for a meeting). I've never felt anything like it--it was like all my muscles contracted to 50% of their size in 10 seconds and stayed "Charley-horsed" for a couple of minutes. It eventually loosened up some, but I am still in pretty severe pain. I can't turn my head or lay down in certain positions. Is this possibly caused by Atripla? I should mention that I also take Buproprion for depression, Buspar (also just started 3 days ago) for panic attacks, and am finishing up a course of acyclovir. Thanks for responding to me!

Localized muscle cramps as you describe have not been a problem linked to Atripla. The central nervous system side effects of efavirenz (most intense in the first several weeks) can take many strange forms so it is possible your sleep or brain activity was so thrown off that you developed a "Crick in the neck" which is a form of muscle spasm. Depending on your HIV situation and other health problems sevee neck pain can be of concern so I would inform your HIV doc so he/she can interpret accordingly. Gentle message, heat, and non-steroidal pain meds (like ibuprofen) are often helpful at easing severe muscle spasm. KH