Odor Problems

[cthonias]

I'm not sure if it's HIV or the meds, but I've been dealing with an odor problem.

I notice it more when I sweat a lot and also if I have eaten fatty/sugary foods?  Also, I particularly notice it when I have a long masterbation session. Even if I trim the hair and take a shower, I can still smell the odor eminating from there if I rub there and smell my fingers. I know this is a realy disgusting topic, but I don't know how to deal with this.

I tried to talk to my doctor about it, but the couple of times I asked him, of course I didn't have the odor. But I have to say that it's there about 90% of the time. It gets really embarrassing for me if I'm ever intimate with someone since obviously, that's when it seems to show up the most.

I've tried taking long baths with bath salts to extract toxins. It seems to help a bit.

What's the deal? Does it have to do with yeast? Parasites? Something else?

I want to smell normal again!

[Matty the Damned]

Well maybe you don't pong as bad as you think you do dear. Has anyone told you that you reek or is it just something that you've noticed?

MtD
(Who admires a strong scented male)

[cthonias]

No. But trust me, it's not just a subtle odor that's only in my head. It's pungent and quit obvious. On the rare occassion that I do hookup, I try and shower immediately before and even then, I try to keep my distance from my partner. I know it sounds weird, but I like to play safe to begin with so it's usually mutual j/o. Add this problem and it makes it even more uncomfortable to be intimate with others.

My doctor did mention that people with HIV can have "yeast problems". Is this true? Anyone else notice a change once they became HIV/started taking meds?

By the way, I'm using Viread/Videx/Sustiva.

[Cliff]

Never heard of odor/yeast problems with meds before (well except for anti-biotics).  Talk to your HIV doctor about it in more detail.  Did you just start taking HIV meds (i.e., can you all but confirm the problems started after you started meds or at least this particular combination)? 

BTW- Make sure your doctor is keeping an eye on how your body is reacting to the meds.  I thought there was a warning issued about using Viread, Videx and Sustiva (or Viramune) in combination together.  Primarily because a) the level of Videx in your system increases when combined with Viread so you have a greater chance of experiencing serious side effects from Videx and b) there was a higher than expected failure rate for certain people on this combo.  If your numbers are great then you probably don't have anything to worry about, but just be aware.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advisories-avis/prof/2005/videx_viread_hpc-cps_e.html

Cliff

[cthonias]

Yeah, thanks for the heads up. I've been using the combo for 3 years now. The Videx dosage was cut in half to compensate for this combo. I went to undetectable instantly and my t-cells have slowly crawled from 198 to over 400 over those 3 years.

Clearly I'm scared of what meds can do to me and I worry every day that I have the right doctor. He doesn't seem to be very patient and I felt rushed into this combo. Now I feel I'm kind of stuck with it and paranoid about changing it.

I suffered from appendicitis last year, too. I know there is no connection to HIV and meds, but I also wonder about that, too. My doctor mis-diagnosed me over the phone and I almost died from it. My hospital stay for a week after that also was a nightmare. My faith in doctors and nurses has completely disappeared over the last 3 years. The idea of talking to a doctor about anything is actually laughable to me now. I feel like as long as I'm alive, it must be ok. It's all too overwhelming and vague.

 

[Razorbill]

Your problem sounds very annoying.  Have you considered a nutritionist?  It does sound like a systemic problem, I don't know what.  More importantly I think you need to address your issues with your doctor.  It isn't good to not have confidence and comfort with the person responsible for keeping you alive.  Perhaps you need to start seeing another doc.

[gerry]

Clearly I'm scared of what meds can do to me and I worry every day that I have the right doctor. He doesn't seem to be very patient and I felt rushed into this combo. Now I feel I'm kind of stuck with it and paranoid about changing it.

As mentioned above, these may be good enough reasons for you to (a) seek a second opinion about your current combo and/or (b) start searching for a different doc who you feel more comfortable communicating with.  Cliff is right about the warning regarding the combo you are on.  While it has worked for you the past 3 years, there is strong evidence for other combos which are well tolerated (such as switching the Videx to Epivir or Emtriva).  Haven't really heard of these meds causing odor problems that you described, though.  Good luck.

[penguin]

Hello

Get your doctor(& it does sound like a new one might be in order) to check liver, kidney , and thyroid function, diabetes, and for other infections/parasites (eg UTI, candida etc)

From what you’ve said about sugary/fatty foods..yes, that does suggest some sort of systemic yeast infection - most people would describe a sort of "beery" smell with this. your dr can prescribe an anti-fungal medication, if this is the case. Also, try eating more live yogurt, taking a probiotic supplement, a zinc supplement, and cutting out/cutting down on  refined sugars and animal fats. Intestinal flora, very easily disrupted in some people, and almost any medications can contribute.

There is another condition, related to enzyme deficiency - specifically, lack of flavin monooxygenases, i believe(these break food residues down to a neutral state ready for excretion). This would usually cause quite a noticeable smell, like, er, fish…if that is the case, reducing foods high in carnitine , lysine, and lecithin and choline should help.

Kate

[Christine]

Could you have a sinus infection that is causing you to smell things differently?

Yeast can be a problem with hiv+, I've had problems with thrush and vaginal yeast infections, but I can't say I have ever noticed a smell.

I do agree with the other posts. Having a doctor you trust and feel comfortable with does make the whole experience easier.

Christine

[J.R.E.]

Hello,

Are you taking vitamins / supplements/ antioxidents/Herbs ??  If so, are you taking  these as prescribed, and not "overdoing it"
 
I had never had the odor problem as you described, but if the doctor says all your blood test are normal,(rules out yeast infection), then start looking into the vitamins (ETC) that you take, if that is the case.



Let us know how your doing-------Ray

[antibody]

is this a musky man scent? maybe it's just pheromones.