Fat loss in feet

[whiteboy500]

I barely have any fat left in my feet.  My feet look like a skeleton.   My question, what causes this and I'm assuming nothing can be done about it?  Currently I'm on Diadonosine, Isentress, Truvada, Prezista, Dapsone, Norvir,  are any of these meds causing fat loss in me?  or was it from previous meds I took.   Another question, for those experiencing the same problem, what has been YOUR solution to fat loss in your feet, do you wear a certain type of shoe?  Is there a certain brand of padding I can use in my shoe? Thank you!

[aztecan]

Hey Whiteboy,

Well, the Diadonosine has been known to cause lipoatrophy (the fat loss in the arms, legs, feet, face, etc.

Of course, it could have been caused by previous meds as well.

I have the same problem. Walking barefoot can be quite painful.

There isn't much you can do about regaining the fat on your feet.

You could speak to your doctor about changing out the Videx for something else, but there is no guarantee that will stop the lipoatrophy's progression or cause it to reverse itself.

I have known a few who have seen some of their fat return, but most don't. I never have.

I also developed the hump on my upper back and the "crix belly." It is really noticeable now.

I look rather like a beige pumpkin with stick arms and legs. The veins on my face and scalp are also quite noticeable.

I switched meds, hoping to find one that would change things around. No luck so far.

One thing you can do is to exercise regularly. Toned muscles tend to offset the fat loss and make you look less skeletal.

Hang in there. Many of us are in the same boat.

HUGS,

Mark

Oh, P.S., try those gel inserts in your shoes. They really do help.

[Miss Philicia]

You know, to my ears that combo is way overkill in the first place.  I'm on the same regimen except for the Videx/Diadonosine.  I don't understand why you're on that, especially considering how it's such a first generation HIV med.  In fact, it's even now one of the least preferred NRTIs and I wasn't even aware that it was used much any more.

However, I'm not sure if that's causing lipo -- I know it can cause peripheral neuropathy but I don't see lipo listed here:  http://www.aidsmeds.com/archive/Videx_1585.shtml

Going from some of your old posts it doesn't sound like you've been on this combo for very long.  I would veer on the side of previous combos being the source of your fat loss, as in my experience it took me years of being on meds to start having body shape changes, but once it started it was on the bottom of my feet where it happened first.

[whiteboy500]

For those of you reading the post, I did go out and buy some gel inserts.  The pain is probably 75 percent better.   I would recommend getting the gel inserts.  At the store I bought them at, the price ranged from 10 bucks to 16.99.   So I'm sure that is the average price at most places.   

[J.R.E.]

For those of you reading the post, I did go out and buy some gel inserts.  The pain is probably 75 percent better.   I would recommend getting the gel inserts.    

Hi There,

I have those gel  inserts in a couple pairs of my shoes. In some of the shoes, they help out, in others not so much. I've noticed less fat or cushioning on my feet, for some time now, And I am not on the same meds as you are.

I am most comfortable, not wearing anything on my feet, Of course that's no always possible, But I am also dealing with slight to moderate neuropathy, which has it's own kind of pain/numbness/ cold feeling...

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=14009.msg180661#msg180661

I've also noticed that if I drop a bar of soap on my feet, while in the shower, it feels as though I dropped an anvil on them. Hurts like hell !!

I can at least remove my shoes at work, that makes my 8 hours a lot more comfortable. Like Mark says, hang in there, a lot of us are dealing with this as best as we can.

Take care---Ray

[mewithu]

You really need a Dr that can discuss and find this problem out. Ask on The body.com in their ask the dr section.

[bobino]

I went to see a podiatrist and had orthotics made for my feet.  They've helped a lot, and my health insurance paid for them.