All good. Nothing new to report. None of the gammy side effects that I was told to expect. I am happy, fine, and all is well.
Tag: AIDS Treatment
Day 15 – Taking PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis); emergency HIV, HEP B & HEP C treatment
Side effects? What side effects? Exactly! I am feeling chirpy and normal. What was all the fuss about? PEP Medication has had almost no side effects on me. I hope the same happens to you. As I have already said, Pre-2017, PEP medication side effects sounded brutal! Almost guaranteed diarrhea, nausea, and headaches on most days over the course of the 30 days you need to take the meds. In 2017, the two pill a day cocktail you now have to take, reportedly, has the same symptoms, but to a far lesser extent. I say reportedly because I write this now on day 15 of the medication. This blog constitutes my daily diary as I go through the 30 days of PEP treatment. I expect different people will have different reactions/ experience different side effects, so, to help you gauge how similar yours might be to mine, I will tell you about me. I’m 182cm tall, and white European (52% English, 46% Spanish, 2% Sicilian) according to recent DNA test results. I have no allergies, never had any STI/ STDs before, I’m fit and healthy, 29 years old, weigh 79kg, and am uncircumcised. Apparently having that bit of extra fleshy penis protection still attached equates to having a large mucosal surface membrane through which the HIV transfer could occur. Not that I would trade my foreskin for the world!
HIV PEP – two-drug PEP Regimen:
“The main arguments in favor of a two-drug PEP regimen have been improved tolerance and simplicity, which positively correlated with improved medical adherence and likelihood of completing the prescribed regimen,” Kenneth Mayer, MD, of Fenway Health and his colleagues wrote.
Day 14 – Taking PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis); emergency HIV treatment
Taking PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis); emergency HIV treatment
Another day no HIV PEP symptoms. As usual, I am taking the PEP pills on time daily. But, nothing negative is happening. I honestly do not feel like I have taken any medication. I am not sluggish, lethargic, itchy, gassy… I am having none of the PEP side effects that were reported online under the old drug. This is brilliant!
HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or emergency HIV treatment as is also referred to as, is a drug given to people that have been exposed to HIV infection within 72 hours to prevent contraction of the infection. It stops the exposure to HIV from becoming a life-long infection.
Only a specific group of individuals can be given PEP by a doctor or healthcare provider and they include:
- People that have been exposed to HIV for not more than 72 hours
- People that are not yet living with HIV
- A person whose mucous membrane ( eyes, mouth, vagina, rectum) has had direct contact with another person’s which might be infectious
- The cause of exposure is already infected with HIV or the person does not know his/her HIV status
HIV PEP Side Effects
Every treatment has its side effects and HIV PEP is no different. Any person starting HIV PEP should be given the same information as a person starting HIV treatment as the possible side effects are similar. They may vary from one individual to another but the most common include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
These side effects usually reduce after the first or second week. Most are usually mild but in the event that they become severe, other drugs may be given to reduce them or a different treatment may be recommended.
Key Things To Keep In Mind As You Take On HIV PEP Treatment
Stay Healthy
PEP drugs are known to be hard on the immune system. The HIV infection attacks the human body’s immune system. As you are on emergency treatment, you need to get enough sleep and eat right for your body to be able to fight the infection.
Strictly Stick to the Doctor’s Instructions
PEP treatment needs to be taken at the same time for a number of specific days at different times. Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions. In the event that the side effects become severe, contact your doctor first before considering stopping the treatment. Remember, HIV PEP is only effective if taken as instructed.
Try to Avoid Missing a Dose
When the emergency treatment fails, it is mostly attributed to missed doses. In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Avoid waiting for the next planned dose in order for you to double up. These drugs are hard on the body and therefore, patients are advised to take the required dose at the required time.
The emergency treatment will need to be monitored when taken under the following circumstances:
During a Pregnancy
Specific PEP drugs can be used when the patient is pregnant while others cannot. Contact a doctor or a health practitioner for him/her to guide you on which drugs are most suitable for you.
During Breastfeeding
PEP can be taken during breastfeeding as it reduces the chances of mother to child transmission of the HIV infection. However, you may need the guidance of your doctor on the breastfeeding guidelines.
After Sexual Assault
Victims of sexual assault should seek medical attention as soon as they can in order to beat the 72-hour deadline. It is at this point that the victim will be given HIV PEP as well as treatment for any sexually transmitted diseases and emergency contraception to prevent unexpected pregnancies.
Lastly, you should get a HIV test at the 3rd and 6th month after potential exposure if you are on HIV PEP.
Day 13 – HIV PEP Medication Side Effects
Again, I am lucky. Another day no side effects. I am truly pleased that I am keeping this diary so that you can see how I have coped. As I have already said, Pre-2017, PEP medication side effects sounded brutal! Almost guaranteed diarrhea, nausea, and headaches on most days over the course of the 30 days you need to take the meds. In 2017, the two pill a day cocktail you now have to take, reportedly, has the same symptoms, but to a far lesser extent. I say reportedly because I write this now on day 13 of the medication. This blog constitutes my daily diary as I go through the 30 days of PEP treatment. I expect different people will have different reactions/ experience different side effects, so, to help you gauge how similar yours might be to mine, I will tell you about me. I’m 182cm tall, and white European (52% English, 46% Spanish, 2% Sicilian) according to recent DNA test results. I have no allergies, never had any STI/ STDs before, I’m fit and healthy, 29 years old, weigh 79kg, and am uncircumcised. Apparently having that bit of extra fleshy penis protection still attached equates to having a large mucosal surface membrane through which the HIV transfer could occur.
What is PEP?
PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis is a 4-week course of anti-HIV drugs that are taken shortly after possible exposure to HIV infection. Taking the drugs may help reduce the risk of acquiring HIV if you have an exposure to the virus.
When should I take PEP?
It is recommended that PEP be started as soon as possible after the exposure to HIV – preferably within a few hours. This gives the drugs the best chance to work against HIV before it becomes established in the immune system. PEP should be started as soon as possible but may be taken up to 72 hours after the exposure.
Who should take PEP?
Anyone who has had risky contact with a person who has HIV, or who may have HIV, should consider taking PEP. This risky contact may include unsafe sex, sharing injecting equipment, needlestick injury or other blood exposure. It is important to discuss the need for PEP with a health care provider trained in using anti-HIV drugs, or with clinical staff at a hospital Emergency Department. Together, you can determine your risk of acquiring HIV and decide whether you should take PEP. If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding, discuss this with your health care provider before starting PEP.
What is involved in taking PEP?
PEP involves taking a 2 or 3 drug combination once or twice daily for four weeks. The drugs need to be taken at certain times of the day and may need to be taken with food. It is very important not to miss any doses of PEP to give it the best chance of working. If seen at an Emergency Department or Canberra Afterhours Locum Medical Service (CALMS), you will be given a starter pack so you can commence PEP immediately. This pack only has enough pills for a few days. To continue PEP, you will be referred to a doctor or sexual health centre for a script for ongoing supply.
Does PEP have side effects?
Yes. Taking drugs used in PEP can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, tiredness and a rash. Rarely, more serious side effects have been reported. You should discuss the possible side effects and how to manage them with your health care provider.
Will I need blood tests?
If you decide to take PEP, “baseline” blood tests will be done to check your current status for HIV, hepatitis B and C. Tests for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may also be recommended, either when you are prescribed PEP, or at your follow up visits.
Does PEP work?
Studies done with health care workers show that their risk of becoming HIV positive after a needlestick injury is significantly reduced by using PEP. These studies suggest that it is also possible to reduce the risk of getting HIV by prompt use of PEP after possible sexual or injecting exposure. PEP will NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE this risk.
Do I still need follow up after completing PEP?
Yes, follow-up is very important. If you take PEP, blood tests for HIV are repeated at these times after the exposure: at 6 weeks and again at 3 months
What else do I need to know while taking PEP?
- PEP is not guaranteed to stop you from being infected with HIV and it is not a replacement for safe sex and safe injecting practices
- Taking PEP will not make you immune to HIV
- Women should use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy whilst on PEP
- HIV testing will need to be repeated at 3 months after you commence PEP. This is called the window period (the time it can take for HIV to show up in tests). You need to protect others during the 3 month window period by using condoms, and not sharing injecting equipment
- Do not donate blood, sperm, organs or tissue while on PEP and within the 3 month window period
- If you miss a tablet, take the dose as soon as you remember and seek advice by calling your GP, sexual health service or the PEP Hotline as to how you should continue to take the drugs
Day 12 – HIV PEP Medication Side Effects
Good news, day 12 and no side effects today. Feeling normal. Popped the pills as told and waited as usual to see if my stomach would turn. Nothing. This is great! I am so pleased because, as you will have already read, I was terrified of all the HIV PEP symptoms and side effects that the web put out there.
HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP ) #HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis. PEP are medicines given to a person after a high-risk HIV exposure to minimize the risk of him/her getting infected with HIV. Common high risk HIV exposure scenarios include having unprotected sex with a casual partner or sex worker, or condom breaks or slips. PEP has to be started within 72 hours after the exposure. It is up to 99% effective in preventing a HIV infection. Most people tolerate the treatment very well although some develop side effects like nausea, diarrhea and lethargy. Remember, PEP is only effective within 72 hours after a person has been exposed to HIV. Speak to our doctors if you suspect that you have had any high-risk exposure to HIV.
Day 11- HIV PEP Treatment Side Effects
Today is Day 11 – Last night I took the two pills at 1:30am (before I went to sleep). I again, took them on a nice full stomach and drank a small bottle of local yoghurt because, as I have said repeatedly in this blog, I am a big believer that you should keep up with local gut flora to help you digest and work through unusual bacterias whilst you are in another country. Especially when you are nuking your insides with HIV PEP treatments. I felt normal when I woke up, and had no HIV PEP treatment side effects.
I was at a bar last night and told a Thai girl who was coming onto me that I had HIV. Why? Cos she was hideous and I wanted to know what the sort of reaction I would get would be. Straight away, without even blinking she said, “Ok. We have condom dallin.” Fair point… Means HIV is not the end of your sex life ever. She said, “Me; I have Hep C.” Honestly! Didn’t surprise me… was written all over her face. Rude? True. Straight away I said, “could you not have had the PEP treatment for Hepatitis? She shrugged. I thought…
- It works for HIV.
- Rate of transmission is approximately 10-fold higher than with HIV.
- The HCV/ PEP drugs are practically side-effect free.
- It feels better doing something rather than nothing.
“Why did you not do it?” I asked. “Why did you not get the medication the moment you thought you may have been exposed?” Of course, she asked me the same thing. I said, “I didn’t know it existed.” She said, “I didn’t think… Maybe too expensive.”
Harsh reality – HIV PEP is expensive for some people. But, apparently, it is free on the NHS and in some clinics… particularly those catering for homosexual communities.
I biased everything in favour of PEP. But she came up with some intelligent come backs… “What if it doesn’t always work? What if failures of PEP lead to resistance?”
Food for thought. HIV PEP? Hep C PEP or Hep A PEP or Hep B PEP.
If you are about to go through this process/ 30 day course of these HIV PEP medication, then, if you are anything like me (as described in my first blog), I hope you also have no significant or debilitating side effects.
Day 10 – HIV PEP Medication Side Effects
Today is Day 10 of taking HIV PEP medication and blogging about the treatment side effects. Yesterday, the PEP side effects were not great – Read HIV PEP Day 9. Today, however, I had no side effects. I felt tender from the day before, and I took it easy all day with a big of light swimming and doing my paperwork. I also had sex in the evening and again at night with a girl I met by the pool. But I didn’t drink any alcohol, and I took the HIV PEP medication again at 2am with a small pot of yoghurt. I did smoke 2 hash pipes when watching the new series of Power with my tidy Thai companion.
If you are about to go through this process/ 30 day course of these HIV PEP medication, then, if you are anything like me (as described in my first blog), I hope you also have no significant or debilitating side effects.
Day 9 – HIV PEP Medication Side Effects
Today is Day 9 of taking the HIV PEP medication and writing about the side effects. Nearly every day until now I have not had anything significant to write about the HIV PEP treatment because other a bit of dry mouth on day 1, perhaps some fatigue, and dreadful gas and bloating on day 5, I have felt absolutely unaffected. Last night I took the two PEP pills at 2am dead on when I was supposed to. This morning I woke up and felt dry mouth, dry eyes, itchy, tired, thirsty, and it was hard to pee and poop. I blew some disgusting smells. This went on for 7 hours. I forced myself to eat, and I pooped twice but didn’t feel better. 7 hours later, I succumbed and bought Tumms anti-gas or bloating/ indigestion medication. That took an hour to kick in and then I was fine! This was the second set of serious side effects I have had (day 5 and day 9)… but day 9 was the worst. Could it have been food or alcohol? No. I had fresh egg fried rice with pork, a bacon sandwich, and a vegetarian pad thai, and all I drank was water.
If you are about to go through this process/ 30 day course of these HIV PEP medication, then, if you are anything like me (as described in my first blog), I hope you also have no significant or debilitating side effects.
Day 8 of HIV PEP Treatment Side Effects
Today is Day 8 of HIV PEP medication – So I took the two pills at 2:30am which is about the right time. I always intend to take the HIV PEP medication at the correct time, but as you may have noticed from my blog posts, sometimes I take them an hour early, and sometimes I take them an hour late. But so far I have not forgotten or missed any. I keep the HIV PEP pill bottles in sight of my pillow and or phone charger so I simply cannot forget. Again, I took the HIV PEP medication with a small bottle of local yoghurt.
I have said before, I am a big believer that you should keep up with local gut flora to help you digest and work through unusual bacterias whilst you are in another country. On this
The next morning, I woke up and felt awfully bloated. I tried to poop for 45 mins until it came out in the usual 3 rounds. Was this a side effect? I dunno. I ate beef the day before and I don’t usually eat beef. So… Drawing this down to diet, I am going to conclude day at as yet another day PEP Symptoms free. No HIV PEP Symptoms! woop!
If you are about to go through this process/ 30 day course of these HIV PEP medication, then, if you are anything like me (as described in my first blog), I hope you also have no significant or debilitating side effects.
Day 7 of HIV PEP Treatment Side Effects
Today is Day 7 – a full week of treatment down. 3 more weeks to go. Last night I took the two pills at 4am (before I went to sleep). I took them 2 hours later than the night before… is this naughty? I was out partying and I saw them as I got into bed otherwise I may have forgotten!!!! Imagine that! So, a reminder to you all/ to myself; you are doing this/ I am doing this to save my life. DO NOT FORGET… not that I did.
Again, I took both of the pills on with a small bottle of local yoghurt… If you have been reading my blog, I do this be because I am a big believer that you should keep up with local gut flora to help you digest and work through unusual bacterias whilst you are in another country. I woke up at 13:20 and felt a little gassy. Normal pee colour. A little itchy. I did drink alcohol last night, but not very much; 3x beers and 2x shots over 5 hours. I drank 1.5 litres of water last night also. Otherwise, I have nothing to report. I am absolutely amazed that all the hype and horror stories of bad tummies, nausea, dizziness, and dry mouth are not applying to me at this stage. So many scary stories online about the bad effects of HIV PEP treatment. This stuff is potentially saving my life… Fingers crossed the HIV PEP medication side effects say almost negligible.
If you are about to go through this process/ 30 day course of these HIV PEP medication, then, if you are anything like me (as described in my first blog), I hope you also have no significant or debilitating side effects.
Day 6 of HIV PEP Treatment Side Effects
Today is Day 6 – Last night I took the two pills at 2am (before I went to sleep)… which is an hour earlier than I should have taken them, but I REALLY needed to seel. I, again, took them on a nice full stomach of sea food, and drank a small bottle of local yoghurt because, as I have said before, I am a big believer that you should keep up with local gut flora to help you digest and work through unusual bacterias whilst you are in another country. Was fine when I woke up; no bloating, not constipation, no itching…
If you are about to go through this process/ 30 day course of these HIV PEP medication, then, if you are anything like me (as described in my first blog), I hope you also have no significant or debilitating side effects. At the moment, 6 days in, only the night of day 5 was a bad one.
Wear a condom! HIV PEP Treatment.
Day 5 of HIV PEP Treatment Side Effects
Today is Day 5 – Last night I took the two pills at 3am (before I went to sleep). I again, took them on a nice full stomach and drank a small bottle of local yoghurt because, as I have said before, I am a big believer that you should keep up with local gut flora to help you digest and work through unusual bacterias whilst you are in another country. On this night however, I did have some pretty dreadful and powerful bloating. I was bloated I felt dreadful! My belly was a big bump. I tried to poop but that wasn’t it. I flushed it through with a hand held bidet enema to a certain extent, and I tried to take some mint Thai stomach natural calming pills which didn’t do anything. I fell asleep at 7am. Was fine when I woke up. This is the first serious side effect I have had.
If you are about to go through this process/ 30 day course of these HIV PEP medication, then, if you are anything like me (as described in my first blog), I hope you also have no significant or debilitating side effects.
Day 4 of HIV PEP Treatment Side Effects
Today is the 4th day I have been taking the HIV PEP/ post exposure medication. As you should know by now, I am writing this diary of the side effects experienced because I was really freaked out by the horror stories I read online about how brutal they are; the sh*ts, stomach cramps, headaches, dry mouth, loss of appetite, loss of ability to taste, rashes… The list of other people’s experiences taking Endurant 25mg Rilpivirine, and Teno-EM Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, and Emtricitabine were pretty off-putting… However, I am pleased to tell you that I have literally experienced the most minor things so far. Read the previous blogs. Virtually no symptoms of side effects. I take the pills before I go to bed, and I sleep about an hour or two hours later typically. I am astonished that I am as unaffected as I am. Damn I am pleased I went to the clinic and got these tablets. I can enjoy the rest of my trip in Thailand!
If you are about to go through this process/ 30 day course of these HIV PEP medication, then, if you are anything like me (as described in my first blog), I hope you also have no significant or debilitating side effects.
Day 3 of HIV PEP Treatment Side Effects
Today is Day 3 – Last night I took the two pills at 4am (before I went to sleep). I again, took them on a nice full stomach and drank a small bottle of local yoghurt because I am a big believer that you should keep up with local gut flora to help you digest and work through unusual bacterias whilst you are in another country. I woke up at 12:30 midday and felt a little gassy; farted one big one. Stank! Peed – dark colour pee. This was listed as something you should tell your doctor about if it occurs. I haven’t done that. I am lazy. Tell me off later – if it stays like that, I will go see a doc, but apparently, dark urine is a sign of dehydration, and I had spent a lot of time out in the sun yesterday and didn’t drink as much water as I probably should have. I am discounting this as a symptom of the medication, therefore (at this stage). Otherwise, I have nothing to report. I am absolutely amazed that all the hype and horror stories of bad tummies, nausea, dizziness, and dry mouth are not applying to me at this stage. Fingers crossed is stays like this.
If you are about to go through this process/ 30 day course of these HIV PEP medication, then, if you are anything like me (as described in my first blog), I hope you also have no significant or debilitating side effects.
Day 1 of HIV PEP Treatment Side Effects
Took the two pills at 09:45 am because, even tho the prescription said take before bed, if I did that then it would have been even longer from the exposure to the time I started treatment. So I just went for it. It says take pills on full stomach. I had had breakfast an hour before. Eggs and toast. I took the pills with a thick probiotic drinking yoghurt.
3 hours after taking them, I had about 30 seconds of nausea earlier, but now I just have a dry throat/ mouth. I have drunk plenty of water. Will kill the air conditioning and see if that makes some difference. Will try and sleep for a bit. Super tired. Don’t think it has anything to do with the pills. Certainly haven’t got a grumpy tummy yet though.
12 hours after taking them. I slept… almost 7.5 hours. I woke up with dry mouth. I didn’t have runny poo! I don’t feel different yet. I didn’t get morning glory boner when I woke up – I read that it can wreck your libido. Maybe this is a symptom? Normally I am hard when I wake up. I didn’t drink alcohol for 40 hours now.
So! I wanted to make sure I could take the pills every night, therefore, I did something a little bit naughty – instead of waiting until 09:45 am to take the next pills, I took them at 4am which is when I went to bed. So almost 6 hours earlier than I should have. This is Bangkok; I’m having a good time here… 4 – 6am is normal bed time for me at the moment.
Summary of first 24 hours: a tiny bit of dry mouth and throat after the first hour following taking the pills, a little bit of constipation which I got through with a couple of weak Turkish coffees (which may also have battled fatigue symptoms I didn’t recognise), and that was it!
Not the scary shit-yourself, nausea, headache horror that the internet had led me to believe would happen. I still have the anti-nausea pills and the Imodium on standby, but… I’m feeling normal.
Fingers crossed it stays this way.
Emergency HIV Treatment (PEP); 30 Day Treatment Diary & Side Effects Review 