Re: Lipoatrophy on the soles of feet:

[jm1953]

Hey Members,

During the past year or so I have been going to the foot doctor for various reasons, facing some surgery in fact.  But in the past six he has seen a significant amount of foot atrophy in my soles both front and back.  It hurts to stand or walk for over an hour.  Plus I have other issues where I can only where clogs or flip flops because of an infection in my heal.

I've read some of the posts and found other people having the same problem.  My foot doctor says he has seen an increase of this with LTS folk. 

Last June I switched to a regimine of Prezista, Norvir, Emtriva, and Sustiva.  A few months later I began atrophy in strange places like my feet.  Wondered if there might be a connection.

Any comments greatly appreciated,

Jeff

[Miss Philicia]

I first started to get lipoatrophy on the soles of my feet around '97 or so, after only 4 years of meds.  I would assume mine came from years of taking Zerit.  A few years later it had progressed to the point that I saw a podiatrist but at that point there wasn't so much knowledge of lipo except in the face and buttocks that she diagnosed me as needing surgery to alleviate pressure from what she saw as a lowered third metatarsal bone.  I never followed up on this though, and once it became apparent that I had lipo with my soles I thought maybe it was a faulty diagnosis.  Lately I've been considering having this reevaluated as my foot pain seems to be greatly increasing.  The soles of my feet are a never ending series of thick callouses.

[Dachshund]

Does anyone know of any studies about this phenomenon? It's the worst "side effect" that I have to deal with. Miss P I bought this device at da Rite-Aid to scrape off the callouses that provides some relief.

[Miss Philicia]

Miss P I bought this device at da Rite-Aid to scrape off the callouses that provides some relief.

Oh, I've been cutting them off with scissors for a decade (not hygienic I know) then using a pumice stone.  I bought a device at once time but it wasn't as effective, but if you think this is something new fangled I'll go look for it and see.  The callouses rebuild in 10 days.  It's honestly never ending, plus this all makes me walk on my feet incorrectly causing other pains, which then I can figure out what's from this and what's from PN.

[AlanBama]

I've been having a hell of a time with this problem lately.  I wore some of those rubber Croc-type shoes to the camp, to be out around the pool last weekend....I obviously kept them on and walked too much, with no socks....my left big toe is so sore I can hardly stand to touch it.

I have some of those Dr. Scholl's "custom" orthotics in my sneakers, but they don't do much for the toes...

Hugs, Alan

[Dachshund]

Oh, I've been cutting them off with scissors for a decade (not hygienic I know) then using a pumice stone.  I bought a device at once time but it wasn't as effective, but if you think this is something new fangled I'll go look for it and see.  The callouses rebuild in 10 days.  It's honestly never ending, plus this all makes me walk on my feet incorrectly causing other pains, which then I can figure out what's from this and what's from PN.

I don't know the name but you should be able to find it in the feet area of the store. It has a blue handle with a razor in it. You can't cut yourself because of the guard, but it is very effective in "shaving" down a callous. I use about every two weeks and it works!

[aztecan]

You know, I thought I was just imagining things when it seemed the soles of my feet were thinner than they used to be.

I used to be able to walk barefooted on gravel, etc., without a problem.

Now, I find it painful when I walk from the dressing room to the indoor pool at the gym, and it is just plain concrete.

Regarding the painful callouses, etc., along with the pumice stone, etc., I use an ointment containining emu oil. It seems to keep the feet from cracking and becoming as painful.

I get it at Target. It comes in a small jar with a blue lid and says Cracked Heels on it.

It really has helped me. It might be worth a shot for others in the same boat.

HUGS,

Mark

[denb45]

I cannot walk bare-footed, or stand on them bare-footed, for any length of time, but, I can wear shoes, that seems to help, my bare-footed days ended back in the the late 90s around 96 or so, and got even worse after the PIs, it hurts to stand up in the shower on the balls of my feet and heels of them too
maybe I should wear some Jap-flaps that might help some while in the shower, but, a HOT BATH feels so much better than a shower  

[Miss Philicia]

I don't think I've ever seen this phenomena mentioned in any pozzie magazine article either.

[J.R.E.]

I have definitely  lost some of the padding on the bottoms of my feet. I was noticing this about three years ago. Just don't have the cushioning I used to have. Doesn't seem to be getting any worse either.

Fortunately, it's not to the point where there is constant pain.  I still do my mile walk a day, and can get through that with no problem. My legs actually feel better , when I am on the move.

The problems I seem to be noticing more, are around the ankles. Sometimes it feels as though, I have big ole rubber bands around the ankles, just squeezing...

Ray

[jm1953]

It seems this problem is more common than I thought based on your post.  Thanks for everyone's suggestions. 

Miss P, it does seem like there should be an article somewhere about this.  The only doctor of many that I go to that knows of this problem is my foot doctor who sees several HIV patients.  He actually said my feet are those of someone 20 years older than my actual age which is 57. Kinda scary.

Thanks again for your posts,

Jeff

[veritas]

This adverse effect is one of the most difficult, no easy fix. See the following:

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:T3SzsTqUK70J:www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Activity%2520Files/HealthServices/SSAHIVDisability/SSA%2520HIV%2520Meeting%25202%2520Presentations/Currier.pdf+lipoatrophy+on+the+soles+of+feet&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgPSZYZXc4MuwHJCiUHIM7o3ODLWxp8nc4uCE5fg8L-ZRyVDbFbnNVnhomjDDpBrMyrUjcl-g1FQqE-ZCVg4sBnWI9gVeoZwt5RyiLyxY9qoxWkWknMS3Hu2Oy8xpI6b_5aClJr&sig=AHIEtbSKDK3DscfT0qMJnd8wlYWBoq_7ag

http://www.retroconference.org/2006/Abstracts/26135.htm

I believe sculptra is being tested for use on the feet, at least in the UK.


v

[BT65]

I bought this device at da Rite-Aid to scrape off the callouses that provides some relief.

If this is the "callous shaver," I have one of those also.  I use it every Saturday, on both feet.  My callouses get worse mainly on the balls of the feet, and for some reason, the bottoms of the big toe.  The shaver is basically a razor stuck between two pieces of metal.  I've more than once had to wrap a bandage around my toes, because of "shaving" too deeply. 

[jm1953]

This adverse effect is one of the most difficult, no easy fix. See the following:

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:T3SzsTqUK70J:www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Activity%2520Files/HealthServices/SSAHIVDisability/SSA%2520HIV%2520Meeting%25202%2520Presentations/Currier.pdf+lipoatrophy+on+the+soles+of+feet&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgPSZYZXc4MuwHJCiUHIM7o3ODLWxp8nc4uCE5fg8L-ZRyVDbFbnNVnhomjDDpBrMyrUjcl-g1FQqE-ZCVg4sBnWI9gVeoZwt5RyiLyxY9qoxWkWknMS3Hu2Oy8xpI6b_5aClJr&sig=AHIEtbSKDK3DscfT0qMJnd8wlYWBoq_7ag

http://www.retroconference.org/2006/Abstracts/26135.htm

I believe sculptra is being tested for use on the feet, at least in the UK.


v

This is very interesting as I have Sculptra treatments twice a year for my face.  Have since 2004.  I will run this by my foot doctor.  Makes sense to me!  I have had very good success with Sculptra.

Thanks for all the information.

As Miss P pointed out, a major study or article should be put out concerning foot atrophy as it seems many LTS people suffer from it. 

Many thanks,

Jeff

[veritas]

Glad to help Jeff.  I believe they lump all fat loss under lipoatrophy, the face gets top billing cause it's obvious. Yes there should be more about the feet due to the unigue issues concerning fat loss there.

v

[Miss Philicia]

I have to say that the idea of sticking Sculptra in the soles of my feet is rather worrying -- when you do it in your face it's not like you'll be exerting force on that area all day long.

[pozniceguy]

Have had this issue since late 1990s  after a few years of  zerit and other oldmeds.... only "solution" is decent footwear...I found several  pairs of Sketcher brand shoes / trainers that have  just the right amount of cushion and flexibility   ...as for barefoot  can only do  soft carpet   even smooth wood floors are too much....My  Dr's both ID  and plastic surgeon  do not recommend any "fillers "for this condition

Nick

[veritas]

Nick,

Did your docs give a reason for not using them? A lot of women use it on their soles to relieve the pain from wearing high heels.

v

[pozniceguy]

veritas  the Plastic surgeon said that the available "approved"  fillers were not appropriate for that application  ( Radiesse, Sculptra  and  the silicone )  he has had to "remove and repair several who tried it  so he wont do it in any "high impact" areas

[aztecan]

veritas  the Plastic surgeon said that the available "approved"  fillers were not appropriate for that application  ( Radiesse, Sculptra  and  the silicone )  he has had to "remove and repair several who tried it  so he wont do it in any "high impact" areas

I rather figured it might be something like that. It makes sense that injecting something like a filler into an area that is under a great deal of pressure and stress might not be the best idea.

HUGS,

Mark

[aztecan]

veritas  the Plastic surgeon said that the available "approved"  fillers were not appropriate for that application  ( Radiesse, Sculptra  and  the silicone )  he has had to "remove and repair several who tried it  so he wont do it in any "high impact" areas

I rather figured it might be something like that. It makes sense that injecting something like a filler into an area that is under a great deal of pressure and stress might not be the best idea.

HUGS,

Mark

[CitizenWill]

I have this problem to. Walking barefoot is a no, no these days. I practicly live in my Grandpa Simpson slippers.

I have also had those painful callouses for years. I have been using my Dremel tool to sand them off then slather up with lotion.

On really bad days I have even resorted to putting duct tape on them just for some relief. 

You do what ya gotta do.

I'll have to try out some of the other options mentioned.

Will

[veritas]

veritas  the Plastic surgeon said that the available "approved"  fillers were not appropriate for that application  ( Radiesse, Sculptra  and  the silicone )  he has had to "remove and repair several who tried it  so he wont do it in any "high impact" areas

Thanks for the info Nick. I was just wondering if it was an HIV thing, since some plastic surgeons do advertise such procedures for women with the high heal problem.

v