Side effects
For those who were there for the introduction of combination therapy, it seemed like a miracle. You stayed alive, but at what cost?
At the time, doctors did not yet know what the effects of combining drugs would be. Many pills had unpleasant side effects. Such as fat accumulation, fat loss, nerve pain (neuropathy), diarrhoea, fatigue, anaemia and hallucinations. Many people living with HIV also had mental health issues, such as feelings of guilt because they survived and others did not.
Fortunately, the most severe side effects of those early days are gone. But too many people still put up with the side effects of HIV medication. Women seem to suffer from side effects more often than men. It is not yet entirely clear why this is the case. Current antiretrovirals have mainly been tested on men, and women's bodies react differently. Fortunately, this is receiving more and more attention, and complaints about side effects are being taken more seriously.
If you experience significant side effects from your HIV or your anti-HIV medication, always report this to your specialist HIV doctor and specialist HIV nurse. Sometimes it can help to switch to another medication. However, this is not always necessary. Discuss this with your doctor.