Justin B. Terry-Smith has been involved in LGBTQ and HIV Activism since 1999. He is an Air Force 9/11 Disabled Vet. Raised in Silver Spring, MD, he now lives in Albuequerque, New Meixco with his husband Phil. He writes an HIV/STI Advice Column for A&U Magazine, is a Contributing writer for thebody.com, a Life Coach and an Adjunct Professor. He has earned his Doctorate in Public Health with a concentration in Infectious Disease and his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
First let me say I was so excited and happy to be picked to work on the HIV + Me Project. When I got the e-mail from the Logo Network I was so thrilled, then when I read on it said I would be working with none other than Ongina Ryan from RuPaul’s Drag Race I screamed and I melted. I arrived in NJ that Friday and was greeted by Mr. New Jersey Leather 2010 Damian Parra. He and his family helped me out that weekend, I was suppose to be staying in the Bronx of NY but the friend that I originally was suppose to stay with had to go to the ER, but is doing fine now. I do appreciate all the hospitality they showed me. I stayed in NJ for most of my trip, and I loved it. So decided that I wanted Damian to go with my to the HIV + Me shoot and also I figured he could show me around NY’s Christopher Street, Chelsea etc. We had a blast. I hadn’t been to NY’s gay district since back in 2004 with my ex. The sun was out and I was taking in the sights and sounds of New York.
If you have been with me from the beginning that you would seen a video I posted when Ongina Ryan was so courageous to open up about her HIV status on national television. If not it is right here.
Before I met her in person I was so scared I didn’t know what to expect. When I walked into the studio I met Adam Abernathy who I believe is the producer of HIV+Me, he thanked me for coming and I thanked him for the invite. He then said, “Justin this is Ongina, Ongina this is Justin”. Then who do I see, the beautiful and talented, Ongina Ryan, she said, “Ohh I know Justin, how are you?” I got a hug and kiss on the check. I was ecstatic. I said, “Hey I’m fine and you” She looked down at my leather pants and said, “Oh look at her trying to out do me with her pants”. We both laughed. She was such a joy to work. I hope I get to work with her again. She is amazing. The interview was awesome and I wanted to stay for longer. But I wanted to see more of the Village of NY.
My segment will premiere on the LOGO Network in May 2010. I can’t wait but to see others in the HIV + Me project, Click Here.
There are a lot of things we as HIV positive people have to look out for. But one of our main enemies is Stress. You can take all the medication you want, eat all the good food that nourishes your body, and have all the protected sex anyone can have BUT when your stressed out all of it goes out the window.
Please deal with stress different ways, some of us have a nice glass of wine, other might exercise, but I keep myself busy with duties and project that work to better our community whether it’s leather, gay, straight, black of white; it doesn’t matter to me.
But sometimes my husband says I do too much and I stretch myself to much. This is true and that my friend, can be stressful as well.
In November 2009 I was awarded the Mr. Maryland Leather 2010 title so now I will go onto compete in May for the IML International Mr. Leather title, in Chicago on Memorial Day Weekend. I have to learn my judges, leather history and traditions, and I have to be on point with my answers. Being Mr. Maryland Leather 2010 comes with responsibilities as well. I have to make appearances and have been asked to judge contest too.
In my spare time I write for Baltimore’s Gay Life Newspaper, GBMNews.com, the body.com, The Black AIDS Institute, and Justin’s HIV Journal. I will also start writing for another publication as well.
I’m married as most of you know so taking care of him means a lot to me. We are trying to settle on a piece of land in Laurel and building our single family home from the ground up. That is stressful too
I just got a promotion at work too which means more responsibility there as well and since my employer is the IRS there is something we like to call, “TAX SEASON”. Need I say more?
I also got a call from Hollywood to work on a special project but I cannot say anything at the moment all I can say is that there will be an announcement about the project next month.
All these things that are going on in my life are time consuming and can be stressful. If you lead a busy life like mine my advice to you is take it one step at a time. Relax and don’t sweat the small stuff. If you do if will not be good for your body or anyone else around you. Acupuncture is a great way to go as well or find an activity that relaxes your mind, body and spirit
People who take certain HIV medications often get high cholesterol as a side effect of the drugs. Recently my doctor told me that I have high cholesterol. But is it a result of my drug regimen? I had been taking Reyataz, Norvir and Truvada, all of which have high cholesterol as a possible adverse effect. It could be my genes or my lifestyle--or even a combination. I may never really know. But since high cholesterol increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, it's time for me to make some changes.
Here Comes Trouble My average cholesterol is 234.1; the average of my doctor's patients is 185. My LDL, or "bad cholesterol," is 143.1, which is borderline high. My HDL, or "good" cholesterol, is 52, which is good. (To learn more about cholesterol levels, go here.) My triglycerides were also high.
High cholesterol runs in my family. For years I have known that my dad has it. Over the holidays I learned that my mother does too. This double shot of high cholesterol means that I really have to be careful, especially since being male and of African American descent may increase my risk of heart disease also. Fortunately I don't smoke.
Living for the Weekend Rather than immediately change my meds, which is complicated, my doctor decided that we'd first approach the problem by making lifestyle changes. There are two areas that I can take charge of on my own: eating and exercise.
First I had to slow my cholesterol intake. Now that I'm 30, my body doesn't process foods at the same speed that it did when I was 19. This meant that I had to examine my food choices. During the week, my diet was relatively healthy. Here was my diet on a typical day:
Breakfast: Ensure nutritional supplement Snack: ravoli Lunch: Quiznos sandwich, but sometimes McDonald's, pizza or buffalo wings Snack: banana Dinner: pasta, red meat or fish with rice, and wine, preferably red
But the weekend was a whole different story: I love a good steak-and-eggs breakfast; I also eat a lot. Here is an example of a typical weekend day:
Breakfast: pork bacon, ham, pancakes, biscuits, hash browns and maybe some grits (I also smothered foods with butter) Lunch: chips, pickles and soda Dinner: pizza, chicken wings with ranch sauce, or a steak with mashed potatoes
Many of these foods are high in cholesterol (go here to learn more about foods to eat and foods to avoid). I also used a lot of condiments that were high in cholesterol. And I didn't work out much.
Yet my waist is still a size 28--okay, 29--so until my doctor said something, I thought everything was okay.
But I realized that I had to improve my eating habits, particularly on the weekend, and head to the gym. Given the choice between big steaks and a healthy life, to me the choice is clear.
A Change of Plans So I've changed my eating habits. On a typical weekday I now eat:
Breakfast: banana and a cinnamon-raisin bagel Snack: orange juice, an apple, water Lunch: club sandwich without bacon, iced green tea Snack: crackers Dinner: baked fish, greens, rice and wine, preferably red
And on weekends I now eat:
Breakfast: pancakes, muffin with honey, turkey bacon Lunch: tuna fish sandwich with mayonnaise Dinner: catfish, rice, couscous and wine
I also take one multivitamin, fish oil to protect against heart disease, and vitamin D because my doctor has noticed in some of his patients who take it that their T-cell, or CD4, counts have gone up. This is on top of the three HIV meds (six pills) I take every day.
And I've started hitting the gym three times a week to lift free weights. On my off days, I try to run at least one mile.
Just because people look fit on the outside doesn't mean they're fit on the inside. And I may only be 30, with a 29 waist, but I have more than just HIV to worry about
I decided to try to spice my intro up. My cousin Muhammed Shahid-El of MoBetta Music let me borrow this song called A New Day by Margeaux-The Essence of Soul. His websites are www.reverbnation.com/musicloungeentertainment & www.soundclick.com/musicloungeentertainment. Let me know what you think..
This is hilarious. I made a video and didnt even remember making it. This was too funny. I think with all the excitement of the holidays and my birthday I forgot all about it. Plus my life has been busy one, thing after another. I dont know why Im publishing this video I was thinking that I should have thrown it away. But then I saw how happy I was to be with my husband and thinking of what good friends and family I have I had to publish it.
Many people had very strong reactions to the first post I wrote about Tiger Woods. The responses people shared drove me to make another go at this blog entry, so readers and viewers would better understand what I was getting at in the first place.
First let me apologize to all of my readers and watchers for even writing anything about this overly publicized affair. So here we are living in a world of HIV/AIDS and Tiger Woods reportedly has had affairs with around 14 different women.
In my opinion we shouldn't judge Tiger Woods on what he does in his private life as long as he is not hurting anyone or himself.
News reports share that his wife, Elin Nordegren, fears that Woods may have exposed her to HIV/AIDS and other STIs/STDs. Her fear of being exposed to HIV/AIDS and other STIs/STDS has come to the surface because Woods' mistresses claimed that he had unprotected sex with them. Nordegren has moved out and is reportedly ending her marriage; she is also said to want full custody of their children.
So why am I writing this? As an activist and someone who advocates for HIV awareness, I see the HIV story here. Presumably (hopefully!) behind the scenes Woods is getting an HIV test and many other STD tests. Nordegren is upset and has every right to be. Woods' behavior has changed her life and their children's lives forever and Woods put her at risk.
After losing major endorsements and sponsors, Woods has decided to make it easier for all the sponsors to back out by stepping away from golf. While this is potentially a good move, he still has to face reality: His behavior may have put him, his wife and partners at risk. How is it possible today that someone can irresponsibly have unprotected sex in total ignorance of the HIV and STD epidemic? Does Woods think HIV doesn't exist? Does he think he is immune? Clearly our HIV prevention programs have not reached him.
Regardless of his status, Woods could be a powerful HIV advocate. Everyone is fascinated by this story. But are they fascinated because a great sportsman has managed to fall from grace by promising monogamy and then obviously betraying this promise? His story shows how at risk many of us who are in monogamous relationships may be. This story is a powerful example of why routine HIV testing is important. Woods' wife probably did not realize how much at continual risk she was for HIV and other STDs. The most powerful thing in this world is to control life, especially your own. We need to make sure that all people know their HIV status because knowing one's status can be powerful. Tiger Woods can show responsibility by advocating for testing, being tested himself and encouraging others to do likewise. Thank you.
BTW Happy Birthday Tiger Woods born December 30, 1975
According to E! Online there is also an adult movie called "Tiger's Wood" is already in production staring porn actors Kayden Kross & Tyler Knight
I’ve always wondered why my community (Gay Black Men) have been hit the hardest by HIV/AIDS, especially in the DC area. Then I thought……there are a numbers of reasons why this is the case.
When HIV/AIDS first came out in the public eye, a lot of people of color automatically, stigmatized HIV as a Gay White disease. So they went around with this notion in their head that they couldn’t possibly contract HIV. As time went on, that possibility was proven wrong. In the Black community HIV/AIDS grew and grew and grew. And now we are living in a modern epidemic in our nation’s capital (Washington D.C.). It is sad to say that as of early 2009 3% of Washington DC residents are living with HIV or AIDS. According to health officials the 1 percent threshold constitutes a "generalized and severe" epidemic.
Black Male DC residents that are age’s 40-49 make up the most of the residents that are infected with nearly a 7% rate of infection. So why are we not getting the message to protect ourselves and each other.
Let’s try to start from the beginning. Back in the days of slavery the church was a place of salvation for black people, because it was the only place we as black people could make the rules of our own place of worship. It was a place of sanctity for black people to let loose of life’s stresses and the stresses of working in the field or home of their owners. Even years after slavery that place of worship still remained as a place to call home to let go of life’s burdens and feel love and acceptance. But being gay would soon quickly change that love into hatred and that acceptance into rejection in the Black Church. Today many black gay men don’t feel that the Black Church provides that love and acceptance they are so longing to have.
If a black gay people is born and raised in a church and that church rejects them there maybe damaged that has to be repaired. There maybe some self esteem issues that the individuals needs to deal with. Think about it, the one institution that you held near and dear to your heart, mind and spirit has left you in the cold to suffer and die (spiritually). When that happens sometimes people like to put their pleasures in other things like drinking, drugs or sex. Having your self-esteem diminished by an institution that you’ve trusted for so long can obliterate you from the inside out.
An example is Willie Wilson’s church receives public funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and had initial involvement in the Million movements by African American gay and lesbian activists. THIS IS WRONG
ASK YOURSELF THIS HOW CAN A CHURCH RECEIVE THIS KIND OF FUNDING WHEN 1) HIV/AIDS runs rampant in the DC/Baltimore Area in the black gay men’s population 2) and their minister is so bigoted against that same demographic.
What these churches need to do is to help our gay black men stand up and say, “I love myself too much to hurt myself or anyone else”. This is my plea, please help my community help themselves.
There are many churches that our gay black brothers and sisters still choose to visit on their Sunday mornings/afternoons/evenings. For Example in the Washington D.C/Baltimore Maryland area there are a few that are headed by bigoted people. These churches are crippling people from the inside out. Crippling gay black men and women looking for a place to call there home every Sunday just to praise their god.
Bishop Alfred Owens Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church 610 Rhode Island Avenue NE Washington DC 20002 202-529-4547 www.gmchc.org Date: April 9, 2006 Sermon Title: Fan or Follower For the hate filled sermon of Bishop Alfred Owens please click here.
"Now, can I talk here? I ain't homophobic, because everybody in here got something wrong with him. Whoever you point at, you can point at your own self. You got something wrong with your life. But when you get down to this thing, women falling down on another woman, strapping yourself up with something, it ain't real. That thing ain't got no feeling in it. It ain't natural. Any time somebody got to slap some grease on your behind, and stick something in you, it's something wrong with that. Your butt ain't made for that. [Audience shouts and yells its approval in the background.] You got blood vessels and membranes in your behind. And if you put something unnatural in there, it breaks them all up. No wonder your behind is bleeding. It's destroying us. Can't make no connection with a screw and another screw. The Bible says God made them male and female. The Hebrew word Negade (?), which means complimentary nature - there is something unique to man and unique to woman and it takes those two things to compliment each other. You can't make a connection with two screws. It takes a screw and a nut! (shouting)."
"Lesbianism is about to take over our community. I'm talking about young girls. My son in high school last year, trying to go to the prom, he said, 'Dad, I ain't got nobody to take to the prom because all the girls in my class are gay. There ain't but two of them straight and both of them are ugly. I ain't got nobody to take to the prom."
" We live in a time when our brothers have been so put down, can't get a job, lot of the sisters making more money than brothers. And it's creating problems in families. That's one of the reasons our families' breaking up. And that's one of the reasons many of our women are becoming lesbians. You got to be careful when you say you don't need no man. I can make it by myself. Well, if you don't need a man, what's left?"
--Rev. Willie F. Wilson
Reverend Willie F. Wilson Union Temple Baptist Church 1225 W. Street, SE Washington DC 20020 Phone: 202.678.8822 Fax: 202.678.6309 www.uniontemple.com info@uniontemple.com
To listen to Rev. Willie F. Wilson hateful sermon Click Here
On the other side there are many churches that give a life affirming
Arizona Unity Fellowship Phoenix 2106 N. 24th St., Suite C Phoenix, AZ 85008 602.821.2201 Rev. Henri Eason
California City of Refuge United Church of Christ 1025 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 415.861.6130 Bishop Yvette A. Flunder www.sfrefuge.org
Spiritual Truth Unity Fellowship Church 717 E. Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, CA 90806 (562) 489-1017 Rev. Roger Quinney
Unity Fellowship Los Angeles 5148 W. Jefferson Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90016 323.938.8322 Archbishop Carl Bean
Unity Fellowship - Riverside 3386 Durahart Street (3rd & Chicago) Riverside, CA 92507 Rev. Elder Claude Bowen
Unity Fellowship San Diego 3437 University Avenue San Diego, CA 92104 619.284.8552 Rev. Charles Lanier
Connecticut Amistad Fellowship UCC 860-548-1174 Rev. John Selders jselders@christianactivities.org
DC Unity Fellowship Church Washington, DC 1226 Vermont Ave., NW (Inside Luther Place Memorial Church) Washington, DC 202.232.1073 Rev. Dyan Abena McCray, Founding Pastor
Inner Light Ministries 1525 Newton Street NW Washington DC 202-544-0960 Bishop Kwabena Rainey Cheeks
Greater Hope Christian Church 1722 North Capitol Street, NW Washington, DC 20002 Rev. Dr. Paulette M.E. Stevens, Founding Pastor 202-257-5383 contactus@greaterhopechristianchurch.org www.greaterhopechristianchurch.org
Freedom Fellowship Christian Church 400 H Street NE Washington DC 202-544-7988 Rev. Kevin D. Brown & Rev. Patrick Maye ffccdc@aol.com
National City Christian Church 5 Thomas Circle, N.W. Washington, DC 202.232.0323 Mail@NationalCityCC.org Dr. Alvin O'Neal Jackson, Senior Pastor
Florida Breath of Life Fellowship Community Church 6424 North Armenia Avenue Tampa, FL 33604 813.935.9495 or 813.873.1889 Rev. J. Ricc Rollins, II, Senior Pastor breathoflifefcc@aol.com www.breathoflifefcc.org
Georgia God, Self and Neighbor Ministries 743 Virginia Ave. Atlanta, GA 30357 404.881.0880 Rev. Dr. Kathi Martin
Unity Fellowship 2001 Martin Luther King Dr., Suite 602A 6th Floor Atlanta, GA 30308 404.752.5030
Victory Church 1170 N. Hairston Rd Stone Mountain, GA 30083 678.476.6000 Rev. Kenneth Samuel www.victoryfortheworld.org
The Vision Church P.O. Box 11324 Atlanta, GA 30310 678.495.1470 Rev. Clay Allen, Senior Pastor www.thevisionchurch.org
Illinois Pillar of Love Fellowship Church 9 Ash Street Park Forrest, IL 60466 Rev. Phyllis Pennesse
Kentucky Genesis 2530 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 502.262.4272 or 502.893.6323 GenesisPastors@aol.com
Louisiana Greater Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church 2940 Joliet St. New Orleans, LA 70118 504. 866.7554 Rev. Dr. Toris Young, Sr. www.greaterbiblewaychurch.org
Maryland Unity Fellowship Baltimore 114 W. Read St. Baltimore, MD 21201 410.244.0884
Michigan Full Truth Ministries 4458 Joy Road Detroit, MI 313.896.0233 Rev. Darlene C.A. Franklin, Pastor
The Palmer Park Church 950 West McNichols Detroit, MI Rev Darlene C.A. Franklin, Founder
Unity Fellowship Church Detroit 20846 Reimanville Ave. Ferndale, MI 48220 248.542.9407 Rev. Darren McCarroll-Jones
Missouri Greater New Higher Heights Christian Church, "U.C.C." 4657 S. Grand Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63111 314.862.8003 Bishop Dr. Wyatt I. Greenlee, Jr. New York/Tri-State Area
Liberation In Truth Unity Fellowship Church Trinity Phillips Cathedral 608 Broad Street Newark, NJ 07102 47-49 New Street Newark, NJ 07102 973.424.9555 Rev. Elder Jacquelyn Holland
Unity Fellowship Church - New Brunswick 235-239 Jersey Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 732.214.0390 Rev. Kevin E. Taylor churchinfo@ufcnewbrunswick.org www.ufcnewbrunswick.org
Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church 758 South Avenue Rochester, NY 14620 585.594.5613 Rev. Kevin E. Taylor tawapanoufc@aim.com
Church of the Holy Spirit 1901 Lendew Street Greensboro, NC 27408 336.575.6205
Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship, Inc. 2706 Winslow Lane Winston-Salem, NC 27103 336.575.6205 Pastor Roger E. Hayes
Ohio Truth and Destiny Covenant Ministries Cincinnati, Ohio 513.541.5052
Pennsylvania Transforming Word Cathedral Elder James L. Mills, Sr. PO Box 1449 Bookhaven, PA 19015 877-282-3568 www.twcministry.org
Texas Living Faith Church of the Full Covenant 3131 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite E Dallas, Texas 75247 817.657.7398 Apostle Alex Byrd www.churchoffullcov.org
Washington Community Church of Joy 5311 13th Avenue South Seattle, WA 206.478.0690 www.communitychurchofjoy.org
Sojourner Truth Unity Fellowship Church 1710 11th St. Seattle, WA 98112 206.723.9395 Rev. Gwen Hall
If you’re gay and need a place to worship the god you long to seek salvation with then choose a church that is going to bring you up and push you down
On August 7th 2009 as most of you know I got married to my partner.A week ago I took Motorcycle lessons and passed.So I needed to go to the MVA in Beltsville, Maryland to get my Motorcycle License, then I thought while I’m there I need to go get my name changed.Since I got married I changed my name to Mr. Justin B Terry-Smith which is not on my license.I also needed to get my address changed as well.
So I went to the Maryland MVA and take a look at the video and I will explain what happened.
This experience wasn’t what I wanted but it wasn’t a bad one.The people there were friendly and helped me out a lot.They were well informed and eager to help me.
But also think about all the loop holes we as LGBT people have to o through that many others do not.SUPPORT SAME SEX MARRIAGE
Today November 18, 2009, I had an appointment with my Doctor. It didn’t go as well as I wanted. There were a few issues that I’m having with my body. 1 my T-Cell count went down and is now at 300.
I don’t know what could have happened. Right now I’m on Rayetez, Novir and Truvada. My doctor has decided that we might try a different regimen. He wants to start me on Prezista (2 pills), Truvada (1 Pill) and Norvir (1Pill) so that 4 pills vs. the three pills a day I am taking now.
It’s a little disturbing and scary to change meds because of the Side Effects and more changes. But that’s all it is and that is all I will look at it as, a change. All I know is that I remain strong.
Weight Loss I lost 6 lbs I’m 5’6 and a half and I now weigh 136lbs. I used to weight 142 lbs that to me is scary. I’ve never lost weight before at least not like that. But I was sick with the flu a couple of weeks ago but I have my vaccine so it wasn’t that bad. We shall see if I have any more changes in my weight
Bone Density Scan I had my first Bone Density Scan at the doctor’s appt Here is why my doctor recommends it. Individuals infected with HIV have been observed to have bone densities that are lower than expected based on age. Some studies suggest BMD loss may be more common for patients on ART, while other studies find equal rates of BMD loss for HIV+ persons with no treatment experience. However, the causes and significance of lower bone mineral density (BMD) in the setting of HIV remain unclear. Fortunately, despite the data demonstrating lower bone densities in HIV-infected persons, severe osteoporosis and non-traumatic bone fractures in this population are rare. Confounding any attempts to identify causative factors of bone loss are the presence of other risk factors for low bone density among many HIV-infected persons including corticosteroid use, low testosterone levels, alcohol abuse, weight loss and lack of exercise, among others. (The science of bone density has its own lingo. Those who think a t-score has something to do with sports should check out a nice website created by Susan Ott, MD at http://uwcme.org/courses/bonephys/index.html.)
"Osteopenia & HIV", written for NATAP by Andrew Carr, MD: www.natap.org/2000/lipo/osteopenia011501.htm
Prezista Side Effects: An Introduction
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Prezista™ (darunavir ethanolate); however, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Prezista. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Prezista side effects with you.)
Common Prezista Side Effects Clinical studies have not evaluated Prezista alone for the treatment of HIV, since it is meant to be used along with other HIV medications. In fact, the available information on side effects involves studies that used Prezista plus one or two other HIV medications. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether these side effects are caused by Prezista or the other HIV medications.
Based on these studies, the most common side effects of Prezista (plus one or two other HIV medications) included:
• High triglycerides -- in up to 25.4 percent of people • High cholesterol -- up to 9.2 percent • Headaches -- up to 3.8 percent • Diarrhea -- up to 2.8 percent • Vomiting -- up to 2.4 percent • Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 2.3 percent • Constipation -- up to 2.3 percent. There are a number of side effects with Prezista that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:
• Signs of liver damage, such as:
o Fatigue or a general ill feeling (malaise) o Loss of appetite o Nausea o Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice) o Tenderness near the liver (the upper-right abdomen) o Pale stools
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) • Any unusual or unexplained bleeding • Changes in the distribution of fat on your body (such as a "buffalo hump") • Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
o Rash o Hives o Itching o Swelling of the mouth or throat o Wheezing o Difficulty breathing.
Less Common Prezista Side Effects Rare Prezista side effects occur in less than 2 percent of people taking the drug. Because these side effects are so uncommon, it is difficult to determine whether they are actually caused by Prezista or something else.
These less common side effects include but are not limited to:
• Fever • Fatigue • Water retention in the calves, ankles, or feet • High blood pressure (hypertension) • Gas • Dry mouth • Indigestion or heartburn • Nausea • Osteoporosis • Drowsiness • Unusual sensations (like burning, tingling, or numbness) in the hands or feet • Eczema • Increased sweating • A spinning sensation (vertigo).
• Final Thoughts on Prezista Side Effects • You may experience some or none of the Prezista side effects listed in this article. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell whether any particular side effect (such as nausea) is actually caused by Prezista or other factors. Therefore, make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking the drug or if something "just does not seem right." While it may not be a side effect of Prezista, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
