Reyataz Yellowing

[dfw1973]

I have just begun meds.  My doctor has put me in a study 300mg Reyataz,100mg Norvir, and Epzicom.

Initially the only side effect I had was falling asleep.  On day four  I got the yellowing - skin/eyes.  Big Bird yellow.  It would not be such an issue - if I did not work with kids all day.  They are a little toooo honest - hehe

Monday will be three weeks on meds.  Today marks 2 weeks bright yellow.  It is so bad that people stop me in the store to tell me I need to have my liver checked.  I'm an upbeat person, and joke about it, but it's slowly starting to wear me down -  I have had zero alcohol in over a month, 

Has anyone had the jaundice this long, and if so did it ever go away?  I do not mind giving it a few more weeks, but can't imagine it the rest of my life.  Saw Wicked again - just because I feel for the green girl now...

Thanks!

[risred1]

My understanding is that for most people this is a temporary condition. There are some, though, that continue to have issues with getting the billibrium count down and therefore continue to have that jaundiced look.

First of all, being yellow is not simply a vanity issue. So I hope your condition clears up and you get good results with reatazz. But if for whatever reason you look doesn't change, then you may have to change to another treatment package. I hope others who are on reataz would comment.

You may want to look at, and I caution you to be careful and talk to your doc about this, the use of Alpha Lipoic Acid, which acts on the liver and may help bring down your bilibrium count. You really would need to talk to someone about this. Call the Newyorkbuyersclub or send an email to them to see if there is any information on supplements to help with this condition.

I am not a doctor, so I say this with caution.

[Beatz4me]

Hi there,

Been on Reyataz for several weeks and luckily, no jaundice..(knock on wood)

[dfw1973]

Then you are home free!  I was also on Dapsone since my t-s were below 200, but once off... my skin is no longer yellow!  Eyes still a bit tinged, but I am almost undetectable in a month so I am not complaining!

[furbear]

Probably don't need to worry.  I was bright yellow as well but it slowly went away after a couple of months.  Ya gotta love folks for mentioning it though....like you never noticed it yourself or something.  best, Mark

[Hard Times]

i've been on reyataz for 6 months .  i noticed my skin yellowing ! then i thought if i got a tan , it would be less noticable !!!  it worked for me !  i can't argue with the results of retataz ! my cd4's are 702, viral load is 78!

[sdcabincrew74]

Are you drinking lots and lots of water?  I am on reyetaz and norvir too.  Slight yellowing here in the beginning and I can always tell if I had too much to drink the night before because my eyes get yellow still even after 2 years.  However, I have found that water really seems to help.  Try drinking tons of it, like a gallon per day.  Maybe that will help, and of course, talk with your doc.  The combo is really easy for me side effects wise and numbers wise .... now if we could end the food requirement, life would be dandy.

[WorriedWife]

dfw,

My hubby is about to start that study but Im not sure if they are going to start him on Epzicom or Retrovir. I think it is Retrovir then if he has to many side effects from that they will start him on Epzicom but I could be wrong. I will let you know if he gets that Jaundice look also and let you know how long it effected him. He is currently taking Sulfameth but the doc said that when his t cell is up above 200 he wont have to take that anymore so Im hoping that will be soon. At his last visit his t cell was 191 and his VL was somewhere 430000 I think.

[dfw1973]

Worried Wife....

It's a great combo.  I was at about 100 t's in early April and here in mid June I an undectable and already at almost 450!  I never felt "bad" but I do feel so much more like my normal self.  You two might want to start thinking about where you want to retire - hehe

Let me know if you ever need anything.

[Razorbill]

I've had minor bouts of jaundice.  It's most present during the shortest days of winter, my eyes are slightly off and my skin looks tanned - not a bad thing really.  Sunlight helps break it down and evens out the skin color overall.  Big bird yellow is a real challenge though.  So how is it now?  About people telling you to get you liver checked., I find it astounding the things people will say to strangers unsolicited.  They mean well but really!

[dfw1973]

My eyes are still yellow, but not noticeable unless you really look. 

With the summer here - I am pretty tan, so my skin is back to normal.
I drink LOTS of water.  The benefits are incredible.  I can handle a little yellow = hehe