Question

I’m pregnant and starting treatment – what should I do about my side effects?

20 August 2016. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Pregnancy, South Africa, Starting treatment.

I’ve just found out that I’m HIV positive and I’m pregnant. I’ve started my treatment and my friend told me to take my tablets at night. I found this hard as I’m working late and then became dizzy at 4am. How long will these side effects last?

Answer

Answer: Muirgen Stack

Hi,

Finding out that you are pregnant or that you are HIV positive can each be overwhelming. It can be even more difficult if you find out about both at the same time.

It is likely that even if things seem difficult now, they will get better and easier. It is important and reassuring to understand the great progress made in treating HIV. This is especially true for treatment in pregnancy. Do you have much support at home?

Taking treatment (ARVs) is the best you can do for your health and your baby.

It sounds like you are suffering from side effects which will usually get better after 2-3 weeks. Do you mind me asking what HIV ARVs you are taking?

If the dizziness persists then please speak to your doctor. It is likely side effects of efavirenz – see this link for more information:

https://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects

Fitting your treatment around your work can be difficult. Some ARVs are taken are certain times of the day but there is flexibility. People do change the time they take their ARVs for all sorts of reasons though such as working at night. This is OK as long as you keep taking regularly at the new time. Your doctor will be able to advise you if you want to take your ARVs at different times and look into your side effects too.

Thanks

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I’m pregnant and starting treatment – what should I do about my side effects?

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