Weak Muscles (Legs, Arms, Hands, Heart)

[CalmP]

I was diagnosed HIV positive on 14th Dec 1999 and was accepted on a medical drug trial of antiretroviral treatment in March 2000. I was put on a combination of atazanavir (Reyataz), 3TC and d4t.
During my 6 year trial, my leg muscles became weaker and weaker. This is most noticeable when getting up in the morning. After six years I ended up in hospital with liver pain and was taken off this regime of medication. The atazanavir (Reyataz) was also damaging my liver as well as the d4t.
According to my specialist d4T has a number of serious potential toxicities including lactic acidosis, peripheral neuropathy and lipoatrophy. I also developed high lactic levels. 

“Nerve damage caused by the drug d4y may exacerbate existing neuropathy caused by HIV, leading to irreversible, extremely painful, harm to the nerves in the feet and legs.”

My leg muscles are also painful at different times and weak whenever I get up from a chair/bed.
I was then put on Alluvia, Stockrin and 3TC in 2006 and have taken this second regime ever since. I now also loose my balance easily and cannot put one foot in front of another without wanting to fall over. I have constant headaches; take blood pressure medication (Prexum Plus), Crestor 20mg. Arcoxia 90mg. for arthritis, vitamin B6, Gericomplex.
Lately I have noticed that my heart feels week and skips beats. Is this something I should be concerned about? I was also diagnosed by Dr. K Bateman (Neurology Department Groote Schuur Hospital in September 2004 with a proximal myopathy which was perhaps related to the antiretroviral medication. She also said that should my condition deteriorate, that I should be helpful to have a muscle biopsy by surgeons at Groote  Schuur Hospital in conjunction with an onsite pathologist. I am just not sure when I would warrant this procedure.
I will be happy to hear from a medical professional.
Thank you in anticipation. 

[Miss Philicia]

My suspicion is that the majority of this is a residual issue from being on d4t (zerit) for six years. I'll also assume you are outside the US and Europe as most patients were taken off this medication a decade ago and it's no longer used. (edit: never mind, I googled your hospital and see where you are posting from)

As far as the balance issue, has peripheral neuropathy caused your toes to go numb? That can foul up your balance. You description sounds more severe than that so perhaps there's something else going on.

I can't comment on the proximal myopathy issue, but if you think your heart is skipping beats this is definitely something that should be evaluated by a doctor.

[CalmP]

Hi Philicia, your prompt response is much appreciated. I have a numbness in arms, legs, shoulders mainly all pressure points when I wakeup daily. It goes away with circulation when I start moving around. I can hardly walk when I get up in the mornings. it's the pitts!

[Matty the Damned]

Proximal myopathy would explain the weakness and pain you're experiencing. The numbness is most likely a product of the d4T (myopathies don't cause numbness as such).

Proximal myopathy (a kind of muscular dystrophy) is quite a serious thing. If I were you I'd have that muscle biopsy sooner rather than later.

MtD

[anniebc]

HI Calm
 Welcome tothe forums.

I can't give you any mor advise than Matty and Miss P have given you, I just wanted tosay keep all your posts together otherwise you may get responces all over the place and no-one will know where to go to give you advise.

Just keep all your questions in one thread and you can't go wrong

[Andy Velez]

Hi Calm,

I've merged your threads here. Whenever a subject is a continuation of a conversation in a thread then all entries should continue in that same thread. Thanks for your cooperation.

[CalmP]

Proximal myopathy would explain the weakness and pain you're experiencing. The numbness is most likely a product of the d4T (myopathies don't cause numbness as such).

Proximal myopathy (a kind of muscular dystrophy) is quite a serious thing. If I were you I'd have that muscle biopsy sooner rather than later.

MtD

Thanks Matty!
I will see my Doctor ASAP and ask him to arrange a muscle biopsy.