POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: tryingforhope on October 16, 2006, 01:21:59 pm
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Well I just came back from the OBGYN for my prenatal visit and it appears that my viral load is at around 5,000 so they want to start me on meds today. I see the infectious dr. this afternoon. My concern is I am already very ill with naseau and now the HAART is going to make it worse.
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Hello
A lot to deal with at the moment, all the stuff that goes along with pregnancy, plus recent diagnosis. Imagine you must be feeling just a bit overwhelmed, yes?
There is a very useful guide, from the good people at i-base, which you might want to take a look at - also has some useful tips for managing nausea http://www.i-base.org.uk/guides/pregnancy/index.html (http://www.i-base.org.uk/guides/pregnancy/index.html)
Also, the aidsmeds lesson on pregnancy - http://www.aidsmeds.com/lessons/Pregnancy1.htm (http://www.aidsmeds.com/lessons/Pregnancy1.htm)
The issue of medication, when to start, what to use, and how long for - depends a lot on your health (specifically, the health of your immune system), your feelings about medications, and your thoughts on what kind of delivery you want etc. If you need some time to think through the available options, or you want to discuss waiting till later in your pregnancy to start meds, do feel able to say this to your doctors.
I hope that you have an Obs team who are experienced in managing the care of women with hiv, who respect your wishes, and are also willing to work closely with your hiv dr’s - all very important.
Let us know how things are going , ask as many questions as you need to.
Kate
Ps - Friend of mine (+), had a little mantra throughout the whole 9months - “my health. my baby. my choices” - a good one to remember, I think.
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The links Kate provides will be a great resource for you. What meds will you be taking? Some are better than others in terms of nausea.
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Hey Trying,
Kate gave you some good informational links.
I would just add that starting HAART in or during the second trimester of pregnancy substantially reduces the risk the virus will be passed on to the baby.
As Kate said, I hope you are dealing with and OB/GYN familiar with pregancy and HIV. That is very important, not just for prenatal care, but during delivery as well. There are certain precautions necessary during the birth process that elevate the chances the baby will avoid getting the virus.
Once the baby is born, he/she should also be put on a pediatric dosage of an ARV. I believe they are using AZT, if memory serves.
This usually lasts for a number of weeks, under careful supervision of a pediatrician trained for this type of care.
What I have learned is, by using proper precautions, the risk of passing the virus on to the baby can be reduced to less than 1 percent.
I personally know eight positive women who have given birth. Of them, seven had babies who tested negative and the eighth is still too early to tell.
As Cliff said, if nausea is a problem, I would talk to the doctor about the different regimens available. Some cannot be used while pregnant, but others work very well.
I will keep you and your baby in my thoughts.
HUGS,
Mark
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Thanks for your replies. I am lucky to have an amazing support medically. I have one of the best infectious dr.s in Minnesota and an amazing OBGYN and they are working together. Also at my clinic I have a nurse that came to my home today. Apparently she coordinates my care between the two drs and after the baby is born. She was very informative.
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You and your child will do great. I am sure of that. You are lucky of having such a professional support.
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Hello!
This happened to me too, my hiv+ was discovered during my pregnancy. I got meds during the last months of my pregnancy combivir and viracept, I never felt nausated from the meds, the only side effects was some diarrea... but I have to say that was all. Then I had a c-section which obviously is the safest way to deliver when you are positive, and then the baby was given liquid meds every 6 hours during his first 6 weeks. And now he is a healthy baby boy!!
Everything will be well!
Take Care
Love Sun