POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Positive Women => Topic started by: yipiee on August 15, 2011, 11:20:56 pm
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I am looking for advice. I have been on atripla now for a year and a half, and no side effects. At least I thought so. My numbers are excellent. UD, and CD4 just under 800, and rising. Twice in the last 6 weeks, I have had symptoms of “food poising” in that I will eat (usually healthy salads or fresh veggies) and within an hour I am so evil ill... sorry to be blunt, but projectile vomiting and stomah cramps, fever, sweats ... incompasatated. I usually recover by the morning ... but 2 times in a few weeks, seems strange to me.
In addition, I have developed a very sensetive digestive tract ... to the tune of barely making to the facilities.
Are either or both of these symptoms indicative of side effects of Atripla?
Thanks for your advice.
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Hi Yip,
Is there a common denominator to this "healthful" eating?
Is it food you are preparing? Or, is it something you're eating at a restaurant?
If it's the latter, how are the hygiene practices at the establishment?
If it's the former, is it always the same food? Any chance it was the same batch?
Fresh or frozen?
Regarding your comment about the sensitive digestive tract, is that only during these vomiting periods or is this happening to you all the time?
Em
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I eat at home mostly. Both vomiting bouts were after eating my own food. This last one, two friends ate with me. Same everything ... It was a marinated raw vegan salad. They were both fine. and the bouts were 5 weeks apart. So not the same batch. Not frozen.
As far as my messed up digestive tract, in general ... is most of the time these days. If I stick to a raw/vegan diet 75% or more, my digestion is better. But it is hard to be so disceplined.
I’m wondering if this can develop after a year and a half without having these symptoms? If it is indeed linked to my meds.
Thanks for your questions and input.
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Hi Yip,
Thanks for all of the answers about the food, prep, etc.
I'm going to run this info by someone I know and see if they have some insight to offer.
There may be others here who will offer their experiences.
I don't take Atripla nor do I ever recall such an account -- I'll see what I can find out.
Em
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Yip, having hiv can make your digestive tract more sensitive to pathogens in your food. I get food poisoning very easily myself, even when eating the same food as friends or family and it not having any effect on them.
You should make sure that any raw foods you eat are cleaned thoroughly first. A forum member (sadly no longer with us) used to advocate using a very weak bleach solution to wash veggies in before eating. Just fill your sink or a bowl with water plus a few drops of bleach and swish the veggies around in it, then rinse in clear water and drain. Make sure you scrub and peel any root vegetables. Vegetables can often have residue of manure type fertilizers on them, so wash, wash, wash!
Also make sure your chopping boards are very clean - wipe them down with dilute bleach before and after use.
And don't forget to wash your hands before preparing food - a simple step that many people forget.
You have my empathy. Food poisoning sucks!
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Thnx Ann.
It does make me feel better that it is not unheard of to get food poisening twice, so close together... perhaps is not indicative of bigger issue, or late blooming side effects to my meds. I do use my own cutting board, and keeep surfaces clean, but will be more vigillant in washing and preparing the veggies. It couldnt hurt!
Having some histor with nutrition, I am resistant to peeling all my root veggies, as so much goodness is in the skins. Heck - I even eat kiwi skins! lol. But i will soak and scrub more diligently.
Thank you ;D
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Hi Yip,
I consulted with an ID doc briefly today and he said nope, it's not a side effect from the Atripla. He said it's possible it's something foodborne and noted that food poisoning (if it's that) is not always a swift occurrence as many people imagine. It can happen up to three days after ingestion of the contaminated food and in varying degrees of severity.
I found this to help explain his definition of the two possible sources of your vomiting/diarrhea: bacteria (in which a toxin is released) or virus.
While bacterial and viral infections often share the same symptoms, they are two very different types of pathogens. A bacterium is a single-celled organism that which causes illness when ingested. Unlike viruses, bacteria can grow on the food they contaminate. Most foodborne illnesses come from bacteria. A virus is non-living, and is usually spread from person to person (cruise ship outbreaks are a good example). While some antibiotics may be used to treat bacterial infections, they are ineffective with viral ones.
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Thank you for the detailed info!
I thought I was completely over it, from last saturday - then again today... an intestional ‘episode’ ... I’m begining to think I may have a parasite - urgh!
Well, as least I can put the thought out of my mind - that I may be rejecting my meds! For that I am thankful.
all in all - good advice, and I appreciate you all so much! Thank You.