POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: loydkw on November 01, 2006, 08:28:55 am
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I haven't seen anything on this topic and was wondering if anyone else has experienced this or not? 2 years ago I was hospitalized with a high fever of 104 and after 5 days in the hospital the only thing that could be determined was that I had Pancreatitis. Usually pancreatitis is caused from too much alcohol, but in my case it wasn't alcohol as i am not a regular drinker. My doctor at that time determined that it was the kaletra that caused my Amylase and Lipase levels for the pancreas to go way up and my liver enzymes as well. Just a couple of weeks ago I ended up back in the hospital again with a high fever and slight chest pain and burning in the stomach. Again it was the Pancreas and Liver Enzymes that was the problem and this time my doctor said it was the Truvada that was probably causing this to happen.
I haven't seen any documented research on this anywhere, but with the way some HIV meds a rushed onto the market it is no wonder why these type things happen. Hopefully there will be some more research into this problem so that when someone has a problem with unexplained high fever and such they can find the problem or cause quicker.
unfortunately there seems to be nothing to do for this other than let your system heal itself and a change of diet which eliminated a lot of foods that contain fat.
I am just glad that thorough tests were done to diagnose my Pancreatitis instead of nothing being found with the simple test you normally get done. if it had it not been for my doctor deciding to test for the Amylase and Lipase numbers there is no telling what could have happened.
Loydkw
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My dr.s have always been concerned with pancreatitis with most PIs since they came on mkt in mid 90s. Drink lots of water.
Its also another reason you shouldnt drink alcohol while on PIs and some other hiv meds. I was in emergency twice because of drinking while on PIs. I thought I was dying.
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There was a period of my life that I was suffering from Pancreatitis quite frequently. I would sometimes be hospitalized 3 times a year for this. I vaguely remember if it was when I was on Crixivan, Zerit and Epivir ( I may be wrong). The first time I was hospitalized for about 8 days and it was horrible. I lost weight like hell and had to diet after being released from the hospital. I also was not a heavy drinker but I do remember one of the secondary effects of Crixivan saying that it may cause pancreatitis. This and high levels of triglycerides probably caused high levels of amylase and other things to get out of control. I had about 6-7 cases in all but now it's been over 3 years that I haven't suffered from another attack. Strangely they went away but I did eliminate fried foods, red meats, and any food that might be hard on my stomach. I barely touch a beer now but I may have about one or two a year. Alcohol and meds don't mix. Someone told me that hiv multiplies happily in blood with alcohol. Even though I still have high cholesterol and triglycerides, I haven't had an episode of Pancreatitis and hope it stays that way. I do miss drinking wine, though.