POZ Community Forums

Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: jackfrost on February 05, 2011, 02:00:27 pm

Title: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: jackfrost on February 05, 2011, 02:00:27 pm
I took my first pill last night at 10:15 pm. I stayed up for about an hour and started feeling a bit loopy so went to bed. Woke up a 5:30 am and felt really nausea's  and started vomiting. It felt like I had food posioning I was puking so much. I crawled back into bed clammy and with chills and fell back asleep. I woke up at 8:30 am and was puking again. I went back to bed and woke up at 11:30 am and was puking again and now have diarrhea on top of it. I feel sick to my stomach and on the verge of puking at any momemnt.

Are these normal side effects?
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: Gio on February 05, 2011, 02:28:07 pm
i maybe wrong on this but i recalled when reading the pamphlet that it stated that you should immediately contact your healthcare provider if your vomiting.  here is the website link http://www.atripla.com/atripla-side-effects.aspx 
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: drewm on February 05, 2011, 04:29:13 pm
To be safe, I would call the doc. Try not to be overly alarmed because this drug, although toxic, does the job! I had a lot of side effects but not the vomiting. It did make me nauseas.
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: jackfrost on February 05, 2011, 07:46:22 pm
Is it safe/okay to take Gravel while on Atripla?
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: hope_for_a_cure on February 05, 2011, 07:55:18 pm
If you google this (I think you are talking about gravel root right?) you will see that interactions with other drugs are not well known.  I am no expert but would be hesitant to do such. 

"In general, dietary supplements should only be taken under the supervision of your health care provider." Kimberly Hotz, PharmD

Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: jackfrost on February 05, 2011, 08:04:17 pm
Oops I spelt it wrong I mean Gravol - the tiny little pills that combat nausea
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: hope_for_a_cure on February 05, 2011, 08:09:49 pm
Oh.. sorry.  No clue.  I am sorry you are having so much trouble with nausea.  I read your post earlier today and know that is a miserable feeling.  Did you call the answering service for you doc yet?  Even though it is the weekend, I would contact her/him if it were me. 
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: jackfrost on February 05, 2011, 08:14:07 pm
Yeah I tried calling my ID doc they are not in on the weekends and there is no emergency number or alternate number listed on their voicemail. I just found an information sheet from our provincial health region that says you can take gravol 15-30 minutes before taking your anti-retroviral medication - I am going to check with the pharmacist to be sure

Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: Jeff G on February 05, 2011, 08:16:47 pm
I have had better luck asking questions about medications with my pharmacy than calling my doctor . I know it being the weekend makes it tough to get someone on the phone but maybe if you have a pharmacy you use that's one of those 24 hour deals they could help you .

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon .

Whoops ... I posted after you did sorry !
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: hope_for_a_cure on February 05, 2011, 08:20:17 pm
I have had better luck asking questions about medications with my pharmacy than calling my doctor .

Excellent point jg !  They are usually quicker to respond also. 
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: Jeff G on February 05, 2011, 08:32:51 pm
I not new to HIV or treatment but I just recently switched meds and long story short I'm back on Atripla . I have taken Atripla for many years but was surprised to find I had mild nausea the first night and less so the next after restarting it , I'm symptom free now after a week .

Hang in there Jack and call a pharmacist , it may give you an edge to power through if you get some expert advice , you can do this... if I did it anyone can .
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: jackfrost on February 05, 2011, 09:38:23 pm
Thanks for the encouragement!

I went to the pharmacy and she said that it is safe to take Gravol with anti-hiv medication. So I picked some up and just ate some chicken noodle soup and drank some powerade - it felt good to get something in my stomach.

I will take my next pill in 3 hours - hopefully tomorrow morning won't be as bad as this morning.
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: Gio on February 05, 2011, 09:45:14 pm
good luck jack dont fret just hang in there it will get better....  Been on Atripla a little under 4 months..
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: jackfrost on February 06, 2011, 01:01:02 pm
I feel fine today, so odd. Didn't puke, stomach is fine, either the Gravol really did the trick or maybe I did have food poisoning lol
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: Jeff G on February 06, 2011, 01:03:33 pm
I feel fine today, so odd. Didn't puke, stomach is fine, either the Gravol really did the trick or maybe I did have food poisoning lol

Thats wonderful news  ;D . I was suspecting something else was to blame for your problems other than the Atripla , just glad you feel better ! 
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: jackfrost on February 06, 2011, 01:59:06 pm
Thanks I am glad I feel better too! Tomorrow should be interesting since I have to be up at 6 am for work, I won't get to sleep for 11 hours like I did last night lol.
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: hope_for_a_cure on February 06, 2011, 02:00:30 pm
Good to hear you are feeling much better.  Dont eat any greasy tuna fish salad today... lol 
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: jackfrost on February 06, 2011, 07:25:03 pm
Haha I definitely won't be eating a greasy tuna fish salad today lol - I did have a questionable looking chicken sandwich for lunch on Friday so I am thinking that might have been the culprit lol
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: drewm on February 07, 2011, 11:40:07 am
Glad to hear you are better. Hang in there!
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: jackfrost on February 09, 2011, 12:46:27 am
I am sick of this already. I miss feeling normal. I woke up yesterday morning with intense nausea, feeling disoriented, unable to walk in a straight line (just like yesterday morning). All day at work yesterday I was feeling nausea's and disoriented, very hard to concentrate. When I got home I was finally feeling better and made the mistake of having some pizza & wings - my stomach didn't like that and that immediately came right back up - only myself to blame for that one lol.

Today I wake up and I am again feeling very nausea's, feeling disoriented and can't walk in a straight line. I couldn't even think about facing another day at work under those crappy fluorescent lights, so I e-mailed my boss (she knows I have a "chronic illness" just doesn't know what illness). I explained to her that I started medication for my chronic illness and that I didn't expect the side affects to be so bad and asked if it would be okay to take today, Wednesday and Thursday off as vacation days (thankfully I have a long weekend this week). She was really good about it and said that wouldn't be a problem and hoped I felt better soon. I am still having on and off stomach pains as well. When I press on my stomach it hurts and when I poop it is a creepy green color. I barely have an appetite as well.

If it still feels this bad tomorrow, I am definitely going to give my ID doctor a call. Now it is time to take pill # 5 - wish me luck! lol
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: surf18 on February 09, 2011, 07:23:50 am
there are other options for you. other options that wont make you sick. though they will take more diligence on your part as they are more likely two pills in the am, and one pill at say 6-7 pm.
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: newt on February 09, 2011, 03:16:33 pm
Quote
feeling disoriented, unable to walk in a straight line

This suggests to me efavirenz, one of the drugs in Atripla, is the culprit.

Mental disorientation is not a common symptom of food poisoning (and if it is a symptom of this you need to see a doctor pronto). It is a common side effect of efavirenz.

Only you can decide if this is worth sticking out or not.

There are plenty of alternative options, including several once a day choices (tho these will be more tablets).

Your doctor should treat this as a matter of urgency.

Good luck and get well soon.

- matt
Title: Re: UGH - Atripla & Vomiting & Diarrhea
Post by: Tjlance1 on February 18, 2011, 09:09:15 pm
My boyfriend takes Atripla, once a day..As per its instructions, should be taken on empty stomach and preferrably before bed.. 10:00pm everynight like clockwork he takes his Atripla. He's been on it for a while now and only residual side effects are vivid, bizarre dreams..and the ocassional punching me in his sleep..small price to pay to have him with me for the years to come...