POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Lipodystrophy & Metabolic Problems => Topic started by: deibster on February 04, 2010, 08:56:48 pm
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Hi,
I've been poz since '93 & have always been on the thin side. I was on Zerit for a few years which is known to cause Lipoatrophy, but at the time, when I failed AZT, we didn't know about that. I am 57 yrs old & have NO fat layer on my arms & hands.
In the summer of 2009, I was taking Ibuprofen and/or aspirin for sinusitis. I know that they tend to thin your blood; I ending up bleeding into my lungs & came down with pneumonia. I lost another 10 lbs and am down to the weight that I was in the military 30 years ago. I am otherwise healthy (CD4 700, VL undetectable), but I get black & blue blotches on the back of my forearms for no reason, even when I don't remember banging or scraping against anything. Of course, I am concerned about getting pneumonia again or another bleeding-associated problem.
Does anyone else have any similar experience? My infectious disease doctor has no suggestions for me except to put on weight. I have put on several lbs but it all goes into my guts & doesn't help the bruising on my arms. There is a little info on AidsMeds about idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura & I am going to look into that. Everything else that I've found is about low platelet counts which I do NOT have. Any info would be appreciated. I'm sorry for being so longwinded! Hugs, Deibster in Provincetown
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Hi deibster:
In addition to being HIV+ do you have any other health conditions? The only reason I ask is that my dad has a similar condition or thing that happens to him == he has bruises all on his arms... He is not +; He is 71 but has had the problem for about 20 years; He has rheumatoid arthritis and docs told him it was result of meds he is on/has been on over the years....
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Hello Phild,
I have chronic hay fever-allergies and chronic depression, which runs in my family. Also GERD, the stomach ulcers are one of the reasons that I got disability. None of these should cause the bruising, but they mean I am on 8 additional prescription meds & I'm sure they don't help the situation. Thanks for your support.
deibster
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no problem.... i have gerd also ---- got it right after being diagnosed + // take nexium for it. U should probably check with ur doc --- could b one of the drugs causing ur condition or a combination of them or the combination effect of them on one or more of ur body systems..... best to u and keep us posted.
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It's hard to believe that it has been over a year since I started this thread. I'm happy to report that the bruising has not gotten any worse, and I have not gotten pneumonia again, or any other bleeding related disorder. The bruising has actually gotten a little better; I've probably gotten better at not bumping into or scraping against things.
I've asked my ID doc, and a new GP doc and none of them have come up with any specific suggestions or changes to improve this condition; just the old put on weight and do some arm exercises to get some of the weight there. A friend at my ASO recommended taking Flax seed oil, or fish oil, to help keep the skin soft and flexible. Thanks for the support, Deibster