POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: WestSide on May 21, 2013, 02:23:52 pm

Title: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: WestSide on May 21, 2013, 02:23:52 pm
Hi All...


I've been having issues lately where my joints ache and I feel tired.  I've been on meds for 4 months now.  3 weeks ago I was sick with something viral that was like a chest cold.  I got over that but It just seems like whether I'm sick or not I feel like I'm tired and joints ache.  I notice that I bruise easily too.  I've told my doctor about this a few months ago and he said we would probably need to delve further into it... but does anyone have any notions as to what this might be or is this just living with HIV? 


Thank you!
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: mitch777 on May 21, 2013, 02:34:23 pm
Hi Westside,

The feeling tired part often comes with hiv but not really sure about the joint pains.
I used to get joint pains when I was on Lipitor for cholesterol. It got to the point where I had to stop taking it.
I think most statin drugs have this potential side effect.
On a statin?
Just a guess.
Hope you and your doc can figure it out.
m.
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: WestSide on May 21, 2013, 02:50:32 pm
No I am not on any statins.  Thanks for your response.  I've been having joint pain like I've been working out hard.  My knee that normally aches is aching without me working it out.  Sometimes I have pelvic joint pain when I sleep too.  I wonder if it's just age related too.
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: Miss Philicia on May 21, 2013, 03:02:13 pm
I feel like this all of the time -- mine is HIV-related inflammation causing arthritis, but I've also been infected for over 20 years. Your doctor can order x-rays of the joints in question to rule out injury or other disease issues and provide a baseline for treatment if it is actually arthritis.

Worth a discussion with your doctor, not saying what your issues is. I am not, nor have I ever been, on a statin either.
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: Ann on May 21, 2013, 03:36:36 pm
Have you ever been tested for hep C? Hep C can cause "unexplained" joint pain and fatigue.
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: WestSide on May 28, 2013, 02:10:15 pm
Thank you... Yes I have been testing for Hep C and my tests keep coming back negative.  I was thinking it was just years of wear and tear on my joints from working out and being very physically active to... no regular activity for the last 4 years.  I am going to try working out to see how that changes things.
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: tednlou2 on May 28, 2013, 10:55:45 pm
Lyme disease also can cause these symptoms.
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: WestSide on June 25, 2013, 04:22:13 pm
So I see my doctor on Monday and I will talk to him about this issue.  The other issue I wanted to ask about is acne.  I have never had acne like this before on my lower body extending from my buttocks and extending down my legs and up my back a little bit.  Is this something that is common when you become hiv+?  I will also bring this up with my doctor this coming Monday. 
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: aaware72 on June 25, 2013, 09:43:18 pm
elevated estrogen levels or decline in testosterone levels will also cause these symptoms
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: Piscean on June 25, 2013, 10:36:07 pm
So I see my doctor on Monday and I will talk to him about this issue.  The other issue I wanted to ask about is acne.  I have never had acne like this before on my lower body extending from my buttocks and extending down my legs and up my back a little bit.  Is this something that is common when you become hiv+?  I will also bring this up with my doctor this coming Monday.

Dude, I hear you on the acne issue. I am the midst of a massive outbreak. I have pimples in places I never thought possible. Back, face, chest, butt, groin, ears, scalp, etc. When I saw my Dr. last week he did not think it was HIV OR meds related but rather some sort of staph infection. I am currently on a course of Bactrin which seems to be helping. It doesn't seem Testosterone related as my levels were within the  normal range.

Good luck. I hope you find a resolution to your outbreak.
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: mitch777 on June 25, 2013, 10:41:48 pm
Dude, I hear you on the acne issue. I am the midst of a massive outbreak. I have pimples in places I never thought possible. Back, face, chest, butt, groin, ears, scalp, etc. When I saw my Dr. last week he did not think it was HIV OR meds related but rather some sort of staph infection. I am currently on a course of Bactrin which seems to be helping. It doesn't seem Testosterone related as my levels were within the  normal range.

Good luck. I hope you find a resolution to your outbreak.
Hope your outbreak gets resolved too Piscean. :)
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: aaware72 on June 26, 2013, 07:32:01 am
It doesn't seem Testosterone related as my levels were within the  normal range.

I am on a HRT and when I get close to taken another dose (every 10 days) I tend to start breaking out a bit.  It's my understanding this is due to imbalance between Estrogen and Testosterone.  As your Testosterone levels dip which is cause by a testosterone converting to either DHT or Estrogen this is when you tend to get oily skin and break outs happen.  My joints start to ache sometimes and it is my understanding for myself this is due to having elevated estrogen levels.  maybe not but this is an area that goes unchecked in males.  I was on the low end of normal before I started.  It is my understanding that Free Testosterone is the important level for men.  Total Testosterone could be normal while Free Testosterone could be low. 
Title: Re: Feeling Tired w/Joint Aches
Post by: WestSide on July 09, 2013, 12:25:55 pm
All very interesting indeed.  When I initially got tested my testosterone was in normal range.  My doctor told me that he thinks it's the warmer weather and has to do with sweating in that area.  He recommended I try using antibacterial soap and changing my clothes more frequently.  It seems to be better but it's also good to know everything you all said below so I can keep check on it.  ~hugs~