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Main Forums => Positive Women => Topic started by: Afraid on August 28, 2007, 09:54:43 pm

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: Afraid on August 28, 2007, 09:54:43 pm

Hello all!!!!

I have a really quick question, I was wondering is it because of HIV that my stomach is protruding like I am 4 months pregnant? I have noticed my stomach getting bigger and I know that I am not pregnant, I havent had any sexual contact with anyone, so I am just curious..So please help me understand if this is HIV related....Thanks a bunch

Title: Re: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: Ann on August 29, 2007, 06:21:10 am

Hi Afraid,

I split your post out from the topic you posted in, because your question was totally different from the main theme of that thread - and I didn't want your question to get lost in the shuffle.

Are you on any of the hiv meds? If you are, it is possible that you are experiencing something called lipodystrophy - which is basically a rearrangement of your fatty tissue. It's more complicated than that, but that's it in a nutshell.

I know plenty of women on the meds who experience this, but none who aren't on the meds.

Ann

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: BT65 on August 29, 2007, 03:52:31 pm

I agree with Ann.  I am on meds and I have people ask me "when are you due?"  What, if any, meds are you on? 

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: Afraid on August 29, 2007, 05:02:08 pm

Thank for answering my question.

I am on meds I am taking reyataz, truvada, norvir..once daily
I mean I always had a six pack and now my stomach looks so nasty to me, is there anything that I can do about this I work out on a daily basis, so I am hoping that if I start a more intensive workout it will go away...

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: Paulette on September 12, 2007, 10:46:54 am

I TAKE THE SAME MEDS AS YOU AND I HAVE  BEEN FOR OVER SIX MONTHS, AND I'M JUST THE OPPITSIT I'M LOSING MY FLAB( BUT I HAVE CHANGED MY DIET AND STARTING WORKING OUT ONCE A WEEK) TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT IT IF MAKES YOU FEEL BAD. I HAVE A GREAT DOC AND CAN TALK TO HIM ABOUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING.
GOODLUCK
PAULETTE

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: vivyt on September 16, 2007, 11:01:30 am

Hi everyone! I found out about my status 3 months ago and am still trying to figure everthing out. I really love this site! Lots of information! I do have a question...does anyone here experience muscle pain? At first I thought it was because I wasn't getting much activity but since I have gone back to work it still happens. Whenever I get up from sitting my legs hurt! It's like the day after working out for the first time. Also in the morning I am feel the pain and the stiffness. Does anyone know if this is part of the disease or a reaction to the medicine (I'm on Atripla)?

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: penguin on September 16, 2007, 04:45:42 pm

hi vivyt, welcome (if i haven't already said that  :) )

the various bits of atripla can sometimes myalgia (muscular/skeletal pain) and/or a feeling of muscle weakness/fatigue as side effect

do discuss this with yr dr, to investigate if this meds related/some other inflammatory process etc - some ibuprofen, if yr dr is ok with you taking this, may help too

kate

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: BT65 on September 16, 2007, 08:48:12 pm

I advocate stretching exercises for sore muscles.  And I take Ibuprofen.  I'm not on Atripla, but am on Sustiva and Trizivir.  I just attribute my muscle pain to growing older and the things that come with that.  But try some stretching. 

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: vivyt on September 16, 2007, 09:55:10 pm

Thank you for the advice. Everything is so new to me. Thanks again! :)

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: courage757 on October 15, 2007, 10:05:22 pm

I am on Atripla.  I have been on other drugs but the one pill combination is simple to take.  If you believe you receive hiv from blood transfusions, I would recommend getting an Hep C test which also comes from infected blood.

I take cymbalta for neuporathy of my feet for the numbness.  My t count if 265 viral load undetectable.  I am more worried about my hcv load.  Don't be afraid.  Keep strong.  I am not read to give in and either should any of you.  Stick together - keep strong.  There is more forums on men then women. 

 :)

Title: Re: Women and HIV questions
Post by: ubotts on October 17, 2007, 10:57:17 am

Quote from: Afraid on August 28, 2007, 09:54:43 pm

Hello all!!!!

I have a really quick question, I was wondering is it because of HIV that my stomach is protruding like I am 4 months pregnant? I have noticed my stomach getting bigger and I know that I am not pregnant, I haven't had any sexual contact with anyone, so I am just curious..So please help me understand if this is HIV related....Thanks a bunch

   

Hello there..
After taking meds for 5 yrs, I noticed about 2 yrs ago that my stomach was getting bigger
and legs and arms were getting thinner..
These are the side effects from the meds..
In Fact, In Novembers issue of Poz Magazine, I will be talking about the way a women's body
changes by the hiv meds..and the main topic is,,Lipo for women..
If possible pick up a copy of November issue and hopefully you can learn more about the side
effects that happen to women from using hiv meds...