Hi. I am on a daily combination of Kaletra and Truvada with Septrin three times a week. My last numbers were VL 80 and CD4 127. I was diagnosed Aug 08.

I seem to always have a minor cramp in my stomach. Nothing painful. And I can have quite a few bowel movements a day which are liquidy and pale in colour. My weight is usually around 56 kgs. I have the feeling that food is not being obsorbed.

I would take a few glasses of beer once a month, and smoke very occassionally....normally only with a beer.

Is there anything I can do to stop the runny tummy? I have tried bananas, but lately these havent been working either.

Long term annoying loose stools and other gut problems are fairly common in persons in Kaletra and Truvada. Increased fiber intake (capsules or powder), calcium supplements, and active culture yogurt help some patients. Looking for contributing causes such as lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, or parasitic or other infection may be worthwhile. In some cases a switch to an alternative regimen (a different boosted PI, efavirenz, or raltegravir for the Kaletra or Epzicom for the Truvada) may be worth considering as well. KH