TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS

Treatment Side-Effects

Most of the drugs have side effects. It does not mean that everyone who takes it will experience side effects. Generally, you cannot predict if you are likely to experience side effects or not. Some people only experience side effects mildly and find it manageable. But for some people the side effects occur strongly.

It can be useful to find out about possible side effects before you start treatment. The side effects often gets better after you have been on treatment for a little while, as the body starts to adjust to the drugs.

Below are some common side effects that you might experience if you're on HAART:

1. Fatigue
   The symptoms are tiredness, difficulty getting out of bed or doing the normal things you do. If they persist, talk to your doctor.

Tips

• Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day
• Exercise; as it eases stress and makes you feel energetic
• Keep easy to prepare/ ready to eat food at home when you're too tired to cook
1. Rash
   Women seem more prone to rashes. Keep an eye on your skin for any changes in color, itchiness and any other changes.

Tips

• Keep lotions like Calamine, moisturizing lotion, olive oil, on hand as they help to relieve and soothe
• Use mild soaps such as 'Johnson & Johnson' or 'Dove'. It is also advisable to use soap-free soaps
• Don't take very hot showers as they make the rash worse. Use lukewarm water
• Don't expose your rash to the sun
2. Nerve Damage
   Feet, toes and hands have sensations of burning, stinging, stiffness, tickling or numbness. These can be mild to severe, that you're unable to walk.

Tips

• Use loose fitting shoes and socks
• Massage your feet
• Walk around a little to get blood circulation going
3. Diarrhea
   Going to the toilet more than 2 times a day or every time you eat. The main concern with diarrhea is dehydration (losing fluid and minerals in your body).

Tips

• Drink plenty of water. Do not drink cold carbonated drinks
• Eat your regular meals
• Eat foods like oats, soft white bread, or porridge.
• Don't drink dairy milk, eat greasy, spicy or very sweet food
• Plain yoghurt might help
• Take oral re-hydrating salts
4. Dry Mouth
   Mouth feels dry and makes chewing, swallowing and talking difficult. It can affect your sense of taste and can lead to bad breath, tooth decay and thrush (oral yeast infections).

Tips

• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid sugary, sticky or caffeinated drinks
• Chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva, or suck on sugarless candies, lozenges or crushed ice to cool and give the mouth moisture
• Rinse your mouth as often as you can with salt water
5. Headache
   Caused by tension and can usually be treated by drugs like Panadol (talk to your doctor before you take these) and by reducing stress. If you are consulting a doctor, (not your regular doctor), make sure he/she does not prescribe an antibiotic /medicine that will interact with your HIV drugs. Alternatively, you could consult a doctor who knows your status.

Tips

• Close your eyes and rest in a quiet, dark room
• Place a cold cloth over your eyes or use an eye pack
• Massage the base of skull and temples with your thumbs
• Avoid headache-causing foods like coffee, tea, MSG, citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, etc
6. Hair-loss
   It's normal to lose around 100 strands of hair a day. If you notice that you're losing an abnormal amount, it could be due to the drugs you're taking.

Tips

• Avoid perm, dyeing, straightening, braiding or hair dryer
• Reduce stress as this can lead to hair loss as well
7. Anemia
   Anemia is low red blood cells. These cells supply oxygen to your body and when you have anemia it can result in tiredness (fatigue).

Tips

• Get your red blood cell count done regularly
• Eat lots of fish, meat, chicken, spinach, asparagus, and dark leafy greens
8. Nausea & Vomiting
   Feeling of throwing up or actually vomiting. It can cause loss of fluids in the body and in severe cases, tearing of the throat. Call your doctor if you vomit throughout the day or if it interferes with taking your medication.

Tips

• Eat bananas, rice, toast and whole meal biscuits
• Keep whole meal biscuits by your bedside so you can have a few in the morning - sit in bed for a few minutes before getting up
• Drink lemon or green tea to calm the stomach
• Don't drink cold carbonated drinks
• Have some warm limejuice, known to avoid nausea
• Don't eat hot, spicy or greasy food
9. Weight Loss
   Weight loss is a serious problem and can result from vomiting, diarrhea, anemia or tiredness (fatigue).

Tips

• Monitor your weight
• If you're losing weight abnormally, talk to your doctor to find out the cause
10. Period Problems
    This is common to most women especially in women who have weak immune systems. The symptoms are; irregular, heavier, lighter or painful periods and sometimes women get menopausal (period stops).

Tips

• Keep a calendar of the dates you get your period and note any changes like weight loss or stress - may help you find out why you're having period problems
• Exercise lightly as it helps increase flow and lessen period pain
• For cramps, hold a hot water bottle over your stomach or back. You could also take a hot shower
• Make sure you inform your doctor of any side effects that you might experience during your next visit

Always consult your doctor at the first sign of any side effects.

 

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*Info courtesy of Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC)