Atripla & Diahhrea

[BobF]

Hi .... I've been on Atripla for 8 months and I've had increasing problems with diarrhea and slight cramping almost to the point of it being a multiple occurrence each day now (immediately upon waking and after my first meal of the day).   I started out without any side effects other than some of those strange dreams and periodic sleeping difficulties.   Has anyone else had the diarrhea issue start after a few months and then begin to be a daily Atripla problem?

Bob

[berdache]

Bob,  YES!  The diarrhea was a big problem but then I started eating yogurt regularly (even took acidophilus capsules for awhile) and cut back on spicy foods.  It helped significantly.  Take care, Dennis

[vivyt]

I just have loose bowels everyday. Not quite diarrhea but nothing solid since starting Atripla. The benefits far outweigh the inconvience though...

[mplsdoubled]

I had been having the same problem and talked to my Doc about it.  The Doc seriously doubted the Atripla was the problem.  I am also on Celexa (anti-depressant) and the Doc attributed the diahhrea to that.  I went off the Celexa for a few weeks and the problem went away.  If you're on other meds besides Atripla, it's likely that it's not the Atripla causing the problem but something else.

[BobF]

Thanks for the feedback.   I take alot of meds for various other health problems (heart, blood clotting, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.) and have been on antibiotics since December for sinus and skin infections.   I see the Doc the first week in June so will definitely see what's up -- the cramping and urgent diarrhea is becoming more and more a problem

[BobF]

Well, the Doc is concerned that I might have C-Diff due to all the antibiotics I've been on for lots of infections.   I've had a bunch of blood work for stuff and stool samples are also underway.   I guess if they come back negative then he'll plan a colonoscopy.  Yuck .... LOL.   I guess the learning is that I shouldn't have let it go this long without saying something -- 7 months of regular, urgent diarrhea is too long to wait.

 

[BinaT]

I had the loose stool problem that started shortly after taking the Atripla but just recently went in the opposite direction. I'm going for a colonoscopy also to figure out why but I was not on any other meds so I'm sure it was the Atripla. Hope you are feeling better now.

[Tempeboy]

Hey Bob,

A friend of mine has it bad and he takes a loperamide 1/2 hour before his meds.  He also takes fiber capsules or soluble fiber and says it helps alot.  Given the rest of your history you should ask your doc before you add anything in case it makes things worse for you.

Tips on managing diarrhoea - http://positivelife.org.au/node/169

[Miss Philicia]

I've had wretched diarrhea most of my "HIV adult life" -- way more than most people.  I've done the requisite numerous stool samples and ain't nothing there.  I take a daily amount of 12 mg loperamide, and 6 capsules of Pancrecarb MS-8.  Pancrecarb is a buffered, delayed release pancreatic enzyme medication, which then delivers digestive enzymes to your intestinal track.

I know it sounds a bit odd, but I'll leave you to google "Pancrecarb + HIV" and see for yourself.  This was actually recommended by my HIV specialist and its full covered by ADAP, at least in my state, so it's vetted:

http://www.digestivecare.com/pancrecarb.htm

This has been the ONLY combination of things that has regulated my stools to be anywhere near normal in the entire 15 years of HIV meds.  It's WAY better than just taking loperamide alone, plus supposedly it really aids in absorption issues in the GI tract.

Of course, like I said my diarrhea is much worse than most people, so if you attempt this combination of things you'll have to fiddle around with the dosing until you find what solves the problem.  It takes a few weeks to get it right, but I've been on this now for 2 years and it works quite well for me.  I can finally go out in public without having to know where every single public bathroom is, or get panic attacks that I will defecate in my pants on a subway platform.  Been there, done that!

[BobF]

Hi .. just a quick update.   The Doc put me on Lonox (motril?) which seems to control the diarrhea.  I tried stopping it after a while at his suggestion, but it came right back.   I've caught a horrible virus that has had me nearly bed ridden for 2 weeks so the Docs want me to wait until I'm over this before I have the colonoscopy.   The virus has me throwing up so much that my INRs (warfarin levels) have sky rocketed so now I'm restricted to home with the exception of daily blood work.   I have to travel with something to be sick in and be helped in and out of the car given how weak I am.   It's been another horrible 2 weeks

Thanks for the notes and advice tho!!!!

[Miss Philicia]

Lonox is the same as Lomotil -- I have a friend who swears by it.  It's just another synthetic opioid substance like most of what addresses worse-than-average diarrhea.  I think this should definitely work for you Bob -- good luck, and sorry for the other concurrent illness.

[YaKaMein]

BobF, the diarrhea is really inconvenient and terrorizing. I feel ya. Am also on Atripla [been my only HAART] but I can't attribute to that since I had it before I started Atripla.

Diarrhea was my first symptom which lead to weeks of battery testing for microorganisms, not to mentions the wonderful cleansings and scopes which were repeatedly negative. OTC and Rx pills helped along with diet, yorgurt, etc. This was for two years.

My diarrhea didn't lessen til I recently stopped Bactrim for some unknown reason. Discuss it with you doctor. It's anecdotal and probably just specific to me

[OutOfDarkness]

Hi Bob,

I have bouts of this as well and have been going for testing.  Like you, I have waited too long to mention anything, but have tried over the counter things with no complete resolution and I have even continued to have bouts while taking over the counter stuff.  I take sustiva and truvada, same as atripla.  Right now I am not having the symptom, but notice that the last time I did I was eating something new that I really liked and it contained pecans and basil.  The last time I ate it was the last time I had problems.  I have found that I have all kinds of the side effects in small amounts and not just one side effect as the main problem.  Everyone is going to have different effects.  I have found paying attention to what I am eating has helped me control and notice problems as they appear. 

Have you been to a dietician or a nutritionist?  Maybe your doc can refer you to one who might know alot about hiv issues.  Hope you feel better soon.  Let us know how you are doing.