POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: Betelgeuse on June 09, 2011, 02:49:26 am
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Do any of you take any prescription anti-nausea medication to counteract medication side effects? If so, what do you take?
The Bactrim I take seems to be rather harsh on my stomach and I experience some acute nausea (although no vomiting) from it sometimes. OTC meds and Ginger Root do not seem to help much. I think it's time to step it up to some stronger stuff from behind the counter - something to be taken on demand only when I need it.
Any good suggestions?
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I can't give any advice on drugs to take but though I'd give you my experience of starting antivirals. I started truvada / kaletra and had nausea for a few weeks after. I tried ginger tea made from fresh ginger. It maybe worked a little but it was a matter of just sticking it out until the nausea finally stopped. It will stop, it's worth it once you're over the initial bump.
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For what purpose are you taking the bactrim? You might be able to take a different drug. It's a well documented fact that a lot of people have issues with bactrim.
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Because of my low CD4 count at the time of my diagnosis, the doctor had me start the Bactrim right away to prevent any opportunistic infections from occurring. He is also requiring me to keep taking it for 2 months after I reach >200 CD4 numbers.
Switching is a possibility, I suppose. Unfortunately, I have a 90-day supply on its way to me right now as we speak so I prefer to deplete that supply (hoping I won't need it for that long).
The nausea I experience is not something I would consider severe or a deal breaker. But it is annoying, very uncomfortable, and kills any appetite I would have otherwise had.
Anyone taking prescription antiemetics? If so, what would be a good one for this purpose? I don't experience this every day so it'd be something I'd take on demand as needed.
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Have you read the Sick to Your Stomach (http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Nausea_7486.shtml) lesson? It gives you a list of the most commonly used antiemetics.
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I didn't know we had that lesson here. Thanks for linking it.
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I didn't know we had that lesson here. Thanks for linking it.
Yeah, the whole Lessons (http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Introduction_4702.shtml) section is great. They're written in easy to understand English, but contain a wealth of knowledge. Definitely worth checking out.
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When I started Truvada, Prezista and Norvir I had severe vomitting for a few days, doc put me on Phenergan which gave me immediate relief.
-Will
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Compazine did it for me.
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Compazine did it for me.
excellent. glad to hear you got it under control.
-Will
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Hey Will,
Thanks. :)
I thought Compazine was a strange choice for treating nausea. I remember having to help my mom take it when she was going through chemo and radiation therapy. I always thought that was heavy duty stuff.
Nevertheless, I'm glad I have something that takes care of of my occasional nausea. Happens less and less now.
Jimmy
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Hello,
There are lots of ways of taking bactrim, some can take lower doses less often, or take half a tablet with food twice a day - under medical supervision.
There are other prophylactic or preventative antibiotics that you can take, or a pharmacist can desensitise you if it is an allergy - again you would need medical advice.
Try taking it with a few slices of toast and plenty of good quality cultured yoghurt.
Have you also started treatment? If so what combo? There may be an interaction that you can mitigate by taking your antibiotics at a different time of day than your other meds.
Sometimes good old fashioned alka seltser can help, check with a pharmacist or doc.
Hope you feel better soon.
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Tempe,
Thanks. Day by day it feels just a little bit better.
I'm on a Truvada/Isentress regimen which seems to be working fine for me. The Bactrim I take in the morning on an empty stomach.
It's usually the evening time that I experience the nausea. Strangely enough, it's BEFORE I take my evening Truvada, so it's really difficult for me to isolate just what aspect of my regimen, diet or my daily routine which is causing it.
I have a feeling it's tied to my anxiety. For me excessive anxiety leads to either a panic attack or bad nausea.
Jimmy