Q and A

Question

What is causing me diarrhoea and joint pain?

Hi

I was diagnosed with HIV in June 2011 while pregnant and I gave birth to an HIV negative baby in Nov. I am taking Alluvia and Lamzid. I only experienced runny tummy during the first 2 weeks of taking the medication.

Of late, I’ve been experiencing a runny tummy, muscle and joint aches as well as weight loss. I need to know what could be the cause of these health concerns.

Thank You

Answer

Congratulations on giving birth to an HIV negative baby. I am sorry to hear you were diagnosed at what must have been a difficult time. I hope you are enjoying bringing up your baby. Are you in touch with any other mothers living with HIV? Many mothers in you situation find it helpful to share their experiences of living with HIV, as well as how they cope best.

The symptoms you describe could be a side effect of the medication you are taking. However,  the best way to confirm whether this is so or whether the symptoms are due to other factors, is to speak to your doctor. He/she will be able to diagnose you correctly and offer the most suitable solution. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, he may be able to switch your medication. If this option is not available, he should give you something to manage the diarrhoea and joint pains. Please follow this link to our guide on HIV and your quality of life.

If you are not in touch with other positive mothers and feel that you would find this useful, please contact the Treatment Action Campaign [TAC].  TAC are based in South Africa.

Best wishes

2 comments

  1. Simon Collins

    Hi

    Treatment breaks or interruptions is more risky than staying on continuous treatment. This doesn’t mean you will be on treatment for life though. It also doesn’t mean that you can;t stop treatment if you started with a very high CD4 count, and were using this during pregnancy.

    Diet and exercise won’t keep your CD4 count high though. They are good for all sorts of other reasons connected to your general health, but only HIV meds have been proven to significantly increase CD4 counts and keep them at higher levels.

  2. sisi

    hey was also pregnant and used the combination. diarrhoea is one of the symtoms and darkning of skin. i exprerienced it throughout my pregnancy till recently. I’ll be starting Atripla and I am sceptical about it as people complain about fat especially abdomen.

    was thinkin of stoping medication though out and use multi vitamins and exercise. and maybe after three months check if my CD4 and viral load are before i take this big step on pills for the rest of ma life. that depresses me.

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