Dealing with drug side effects

January 2004     View PDF     En español

Caring for your whole self

Some conditions believed to be side effects may actually be due to anxiety, depression or stress. Caring for your whole self—including your emotions, thoughts and general health, as well as specific anti-HIV strategies—can help minimize negative feelings and their effects.

There are some things you can do that may make the adjustment period easier. If possible, take some time off work or lighten your schedule to allow yourself to adjust to the change. If things get hard, see if someone can help out around the house or with children or other obligations.

Take time to re-prioritize your health needs, and make sure you get plenty of sleep and rest. Eat well and keep foods on hand that help combat common side effects like nausea and diarrhea. Try to get a little exercise during the day—even if just taking a walk.

Most importantly, reach out for support—be it your family, friends or support group. If you can, let them know what’s going on. Sometimes just talking helps, but they may also have ideas to help ease side effects that your doctor might not mention.