POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Positive Women => Topic started by: gemini20 on July 02, 2010, 12:56:58 pm
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I’m wondering if any women here who are on anti-retrovirals have experienced their breasts getting bigger as a result of the meds?
I’ve read about fat gain around the belly (and I have that) but I was so convinced that my cup size had increased that I went and got properly measured today. And I’ve gone from a B cup to a DD – that’s after two years back on meds – no wonder I was feeling uncomfortable in my bras!
Now I am currently on a PI only regime that is associated with fat gain but I’ve found little research about breast size increasing. I will be mentioning it to my HIV doc on Monday when I get my latest results but thought I’d ask here if anyone else has noticed this happening.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Emma
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Hi Emma,
As you probably know, I'm not on meds, but several friends of mine have noticed this. They love it! :D
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Well the men in my life have no complaints either!!
Cost me nearly £60 in new bras today though - perhaps I should ask the drug companies for a contribution to the costs!
I was worried at first that it might be something untoward happening but as I found no lumps I guessed it might just be the meds. Glad to know I'm not the only one it's happened to.
Thanks Ann,
Emma
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Emma...you lucky girl you!
I would love to have a larger cup size. I have only been on meds about a month and nothing is happening in my bra. Maybe it's something I can look forward to. ;)
And if the ladies start to get heavy...you can send some my way. After nursing three kids before I became poz, my little bitties are a sad sight indeed. :'(
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hi ..i started meds about four months ago and i have noticed a big difference..have gone up at least a cup size! i find it very uncomfortable ,but hubby loves it..lol
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which meds are you ladies on? LOL Mine sure as hell aren't any bigger: (
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which meds are you ladies on? LOL Mine sure as hell aren't any bigger: (
That's exactly what I was thinking Holly. I've only been on the meds for a few months....but if there's something out there that will keep my number in check and increase my bust size I want on it! ;D
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Holy Hell, Emma!
I'll be restarting in October in the hopefully off chance I have the same icky reaction to the first-time regimen I had last month.
However, if there's a shred of chance I get a snazzier set of girls why I'd say it would sweeten the deal for sure!!
So, are you willing to share your regimen content? Or shall we call it Emma's Secret now inside Victoria's Secret?
Oh, and it wasn't lost on me that not only do you refer to having bigger boobs, but the "men" in your life.
All the breast, I mean, best.
Em
edited to add: of course, I have to go info shopping SINCE I'M NOT SHOPPING FOR FANCY NEW BRAS!!!
Breast enlargement with protease inhibitor use.
[No authors listed]
Abstract
AIDS: A change in body shape has been associated with protease inhibitor usage. Increased fat in the abdomen, commonly called Crix belly, has been reported in both men and women. Women have also reported breast enlargement, accompanied by redness and tenderness. Symptoms abate when the protease inhibitors are discontinued. The exact cause of this syndrome has not been identified.
PMID: 11367445 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
and older, but seeming relevant
Protease Inhibitor Side Effects
Take People by Surprise
By Alan Huff, D.C.
December 1997/January 1998
This article is part of TheBody.com's archive. Because it contains information that may no longer be accurate, this article should only be considered a historical document.
Ellen, a 42-year-old white female bookkeeper, has been on triple combination therapy for the last 12 months. During this time she has had an undetectable viral load. But, Ellen relates, "The most unusual development has been breast enlargement. My breasts got round, full and plump and they stand out like the dancers in Las Vegas who have had implants." She continues almost with disbelief, "I was a 34A [bra] cup and went to a 36D cup. I went to my doctor who told me that I should go find a boyfriend. We did not realize it was the Crixivan. I should send the drug company the bill for my new bras." Ellen has found an e-mail discussion group, Crix-List@PinkPage.com, instituted so that people can share their experiences on Crixivan (Merck's protease inhibitor indinavir). There are hundreds of entries each month from individuals reporting all manner of possible side effects, including other women like Ellen, who say the changes in their bodies remind them of when they were pregnant.
Over the last year a growing number of patients on protease inhibitor-containing regimens have reported a variety of unusual symptoms. These range from changes in body composition and blood sugar and lipid levels to hemolytic anemia to abnormal bleeding in HIV-positive hemophiliacs. It is clear that many people are experiencing unexpected metabolic changes after starting combination therapy. What is not clear is the exact cause or the potential for permanent damage.
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For those wanting to know the culprit behind my increase to DD - I'm taking Prezista (Darunavir) boosted with Norvir (Ritonavir) ONLY - since I went back on meds in 2007 I have been on a PI only regime; it works well for me but probably not recommended for everyone.
Oh, and it wasn't lost on me that not only do you refer to having bigger boobs, but the "men" in your life.
Aah, yes I thought that might have slipped by without anyone noticing. Let's just say my list of 'friends with benefits' has increased in line with my breasts!! I knew that investing in a new bed and mattress with the intent to have more sex now I'm in my 40s was not such a bad idea after all.
Also last year I decided to change my approach to disclosing, i.e. I now tell a guy within the first hour of meeting them to get it over and done with; and surprise, surprise, there are men out there who have no problem with that - and two of them have become good friends ;)
Emma
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surprise, surprise, there are men out there who have no problem with that
There sure are!
Women too. ;)
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"Also last year I decided to change my approach to disclosing, i.e. I now tell a guy within the first hour of meeting them to get it over and done with; and surprise, surprise, there are men out there who have no problem with that - and two of them have become good friends"
I think all of these men must live in the UK.
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I think all of these men must live in the UK.
Might be true - one thing I've noticed while living over here is that the UK is a lot more sex-positive than the US. The "(m)oral majority" in the US are far too vocal when it comes to equating sex with sin and ascribing a punishment aspect to things like hiv.