I tested positive in January 2007,starting meds 11/19/07,the health dept prescribed Altripla to start with. What are possible effects with starting new meds?

This is one of the many great choices available to you for starting on medications to treat HIV. Your entire regimen is a single pill once a day!!! The main things to watch out for are mainly related to the efavirenz part of the Atripla (which also contains tenofovir and emtricitabine). There is a small risk of skin rash. If it does occur, you need to talk to your doctor about it. Otherwise, there is a risk of vivid dreams, anxiety, or other similar side effects occurring in about half of people. It is most likely that these will be mild (and even improving over time)and you will be able to continue your treatment while coping with them. However, you need to discuss this with your doctor if it occurs, to explore what your options might be to deal with it (including the availability of other medications that you could take that do not have this side effect).