Son is Having Difficulty with Meds....Need Help Coping

[DanKenny]

Hi,

My son (10yrs) has been on meds since he was 2.5 yrs.

-- Viracept (Nelfinavir), 250mgs (he takes  5 tabs or 1250mgs, twice a day)
-- Epivir, 150mg (1 tab, twice a day)
-- Retrovir, 100mg (2 tabs, twice a day)

He has recently started taking the Epivir and Retrovir pills (instead of liquids) - for good reasons, he needs to get off the liquids.  But he is having difficulty with the 8 pills.  He has to take them in the morning before he goes to school. He feels queasy when he takes them, and the last thing i want is for him to throw up in school, prompting questions.

I tried to encourage him, and support him, as he holds his stomach after swallowing the pills, but it is hard to see him in such pains, particularly in the mornings.  I am still researching on alternative/simpler regiments, for discussion with our doctor next month...any thoughts...??

Anyhow, just thought i would get this out..

regards, Danny

[MSPspud]

I sent you a PM w/ a bandaide suggestion.  Keep us updated.

[RobT]

DanKenney-
I am sorry to hear that ur son is having difficulty w/ the meds. I really wish that I can help, but unfortunately my resources r limited at that age. I understand that meds r difficult at any age. Wish that I can help.

RobT

[IzPoz]

Dan,

Sorry to hear your son is having difficulty with his meds.  Have you discussed this with his doctor?  Isn't he eight years old?

[Eldon]

Hey Dankenny...

It is unfortunate that your son is having a tough time with his meds. Just as IzPoz has mentioned, perhaps you will want to consult with his doctor to see if there is a different combo that they could put him on.

Sending you BEST wishes for it to work itself out.


Make the BEST of each Day!

[newt]

Hey hello

You may be interested to read/show your doc this report from the recent International AIDS Conference:

3TC/abacavir maintains virological superiority over AZT/3TC and AZT/abacavir beyond 5 years in children (abacavir is the generic name for Ziagen).

3TC + abacavir can be taken 1 x day or 2 x day.  Abacavir generally causes less (no) nausea compared to AZT. 

Kaletra/Meltrex (generic name lopinavir/r) is the "preferred" PI for children, and is reasonably well studied.  It is easier to administer that nelfinavir and can potentially be taken 1 x day.

A 1 x day combo would be good eh, because it gives the option of taking in the evening.

US pediatric HIV treatment guidelines.

- matt

[poet]

I Danny.  In mental healthcare, according to the medication adminstration program I am currently studying, you are doing the right things, you are encouraging and supporting him, but...  Your son's responses call for immediate reporting to your hcp (health care provider).  He, like them, needs to take his medications but is having side effects to them.  In part it may be, and I don't work with children, that the medications are based on healthcare for men and he is a child.  I am not sure why he switched from liquids to pills and would never outguess an hcp.  If your provider is too busy, which would be a concern, check with a nurse practitioner or a pharmacist, either of which should have suggestions.  And part of what I am picking up is that your son holds his stomach right after taking the pills, so it seems less the medications which wouldn't have time to work that fast and perhaps, just perhaps, more an issue about the pills themselves, like too much pill in his stomach at one time.  Win

[alisenjafi]

I know nothing about HIV and kids, but I would bring this up with his doctor, if the doc recommends a "stay the course' maybe you should look for another doc. Taking the meds isn't easy for any of us. But  it shouldn't be a nightmare.
Good luck

[Christine]

I don't have any experience with hiv and children, but I do understand not wanting to take all those pills. I would talk to the Dr right away. There are meds that can help with nausea.

For me, when I am really nauseated, eating certain foods help a lot. Hard sour dough pretzels, crackers, ginger ale with lots of ice. There are also some acupressure nausea points that help me. Inside of the wrist, two fingers wide down from the wrist joint on the inside fore arm. There are two tendons which are side by side- gently press on that point for a few minutes.

Also- To the right and left of the belly button, two finger wide distance, gently press, and deep breath while pressing both points.

Christine

[gay4kink]

Fortunately I never had to take meds when I was your son's age.  However, my own experience with AZT might help.  It was important for me to always eat breakfast first, then take the pills.  If I didn't, I'd definitely be nauseous.  You didn't mention if he's eating before, or not, but that did make a big difference for me.  That never changed during the 14 years I took AZT.

I hope you find a way to successfully deal with it.

[DanKenny]

Thanks to you all for your inputs and suggestions and ideas. 

We are managing and he is taking the meds after meals.  And he takes them two at a time....to reduce the pill overload.  He managed well this morning, and i wll see how he fares in a few minutes. So far he has not thrown up...he is able to control it after a few minutes.

 I will see the doctor next month, and will review my thoughts of pediatric guidelines with her.


Thansks, thanks and thanks to you all.

/Danny

[Razorbill]

I was on the exact same regimine a few years back.  Terrible nausea.  Gave it the boot.  There are plenty of options out there, even for kids.  He needn't suffer.