POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Lipodystrophy & Metabolic Problems => Topic started by: scotty54 on August 24, 2012, 01:48:35 pm
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Hello to all,
New to threads/blogs here. Poz since 97. On Zerit/Videx/Retrovir/Crixivan from beginning till 2006. On Atripla 2006 to present. Moderate to Severe loss of fat and fat redistribution beginning 2001. Since switch to Atripla have noticed some very gradual positive changes. I think I am not experiencing additional fat loss...but only very minor fat re-growth. My veins in legs are not as pronounced and the hair loss that I saw has somewhat reversed. (I even have the start of eyebrows). My labs have been good on Atripla. VL has been undectable since 2002...and CD4 has steadly risen to 600 range. % has risen above 30. I have read that some have seen more subcutaneous fat with Isentress/Truvada. I have used many fillers (temporary for me) and had my hump liposuctioned about 2 months ago. Have had some re-growth....although fat pad doesnt seem as large or thick...may have to consider excision. Also have considered PMMA.....but am a bit hesitant. Any experience/thoughts.....thanks in advance.
Best to all
Mike
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I have a similar history -- meaning the zerit, etc. exposure in the 90's which resulted in lipoatrophy (but not humps/hypertrophy), and have also had fillers in recent years. I went on Isentress/Truvada five years ago and have not seen this regimen worsen what already was there.
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How have your labs been since you made the switch? Have you had any unusual side effects? For me it will mean (i think) 3 dosages p/day instead of one. A local buddy here reported some increased dizziness with Truvada (of course may have been dizzy to start with!). Willing to give it a go though on the hopes of some fat regeneration. Can always go back to the Atripla....but willing to give it a go in hopes of some fat regeneration. Thank for sharing.
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How can someone have "increased dizziness with Truvada" when Atripla has that in it? Sorry, but that makes no sense.
Anyway, I wasn't on Atripla before I was on Isentress/Truvada, but nevertheless my lab results went way up when I switched.
Personally I don't believe in anything more than marginal reversal of lipo -- not sure what your term "fat regeneration" really aims at. The bottom line is that lipo is a mitochondria dysfunction and as that is cellular level it's not going to eradicated. The damage is basically done. If your labs are fine on Atripla and you don't have side effects, and lipo isn't increasing, it seems silly to change regimens IMO.
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Thanks Miss P for your frank advice. Thats what I am looking for. The dizziness was noted by a friend that made the switch. While my fat loss seems to not be progressing I am willing to make the switch to see if I see any positive changes. Yes I agree that it may not get better and that I may have to use fillers as needed.
If my labs are about the same and I do see even a bit more fat in the legs/arms/face and/or less on the upper back/neck then it was the correct move for me. I know we are all unique and it is a tough call. Stay well
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Wow Scotty, I think I get it why you have Doctors dont always understand "quality of life issues" in your signature line.
I mean, what doctor kept you on the "d" drugs (ddl and d4T) and Crix until 2006?!? There were friendlier combos available quite a few years earlier than that. You may have still been on AZT, but you should have been able to dump those three far earlier than 2006. Makes me angry to think of the extra damage you may have avoided if your combo had been changed sooner. I'm surprised you're not also suffering from PN - or are you? (I hope not!)
My heart goes out to you, mate.
And by the way, welcome to the forums.
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I have often thought the same thing Ann. I guess I should have been more pro-active. I had a reluctance "to rock the boat" with my infectious disease specialist doctor because he was supportive in so many other ways. So I am left with lipodystrophy/atrophy issues for a long time. Some anger/frustration there with my doctor and of course with myself. I will also have to say in 2002/2003/2004 (for instance) we were just beginning to see and understand the lipo issues, or at least in my case.
Moving along......this is also why I want to make the new change....even if labs are about the same.....but I see a little less lipo issues it is good for me. Seems that doctors have so many patients these days that they see you as your lab numbers and are hesitant to change.
When you mentioned PN....I assume you mean peripheral neuropathy. Fortunately I only had a small touch of that years ago.
I have learned that I have to read/learn/investigate as much as possible. I think these blogs are a good thing for me. We are all unique but there are also many out there that share common threads. Will keep you posted. Will probably not make the change until the new year.....as will be traveling in Nov....and a bit apprehensive of side effects at that time. As always, appreciate your and any others valuable input.
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Well Scotty, you're certainly not alone in not being more pro-active and not wanting to rock the boat. A lot of people just aren't cut out for learning all this medical stuff that comes with hiv infection and I understand it can be a struggle. It can also be a struggle to challenge your doctor when we're brought up to revere doctors. It's perfectly reasonable to think you can trust your doctor's decision, but unfortunately you can't always. It's not too late to learn.
At least you didn't get the lasting PN issues. Small mercies, eh?
Good luck with your travels in November. Going anywhere nice?
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Hello Ann,
Thanks for your warm welcome. Lots of shared information and camaraderie.
I am on a upswing. It certainly puts some "bounce in my step" when I can keep my labs good and erase (at least some) of the visual presence of the dastardly virus.
Now if I can just budget for the next round! Wish you well....
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Hey Scotty,
We have a very similar history. I was on Crixivan from 1996 until 2007, but rather than the dreaded "d" drugs, I was on Combivir (AZT and Epivir). I took that latter until 2009.
In my case, it wasn't that I didn't know other, more friendly, combos were out there. I was doing very well on those drugs and had been undetectable since 96. I had heard from various sources that the first regimen is the most viable and switching too often can cause problems.
So, I didn't switch until i found a hump growing on my back.
As Miss P said, I never saw much change in the lipohypertrophy or lipoatrophy after I switched.
HUGS,
Mark
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Hi Mark,
Thanks for your valuable input. Perhaps I will re-think the switch. I any event I will not make a quick decision. Miss P relayed that she probably would not make the switch.
Weighing the pros and cons of course....I am doing well on the Atripla except for continued lipodystrophy/lipohypertrophy/lipoatrophy...although seems to have moderated a bit. The added stress of 3 dosages per day instead of one. Changing to a new regimen that I might really need down the road. All in hopes of some sub-cutaneous fat gain that may never occur. I must give it more thought.
Trust you are loving life hump free. I hope you have been t-shirt shopping.
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Well Scotty, you're certainly not alone in not being more pro-active and not wanting to rock the boat. A lot of people just aren't cut out for learning all this medical stuff that comes with hiv infection and I understand it can be a struggle.
So true. It can be fear of what's really going on or not ready to come to terms with being infected.