Atripla

[stevmore]

 I have been taking Atripla for more then three years now. suddenly I have developed Gynecomastia and I have to go into the Dr. office for a sonogram. I am concerned as a man should not be growing a female breast! my left nipple has become enlarged and my doctor said it was Gynecomastia. I have had full blown aids for going on 27 years now, this is the first time I have encountered this type of side affect. it is painful when I bump my left nipple with my fore arm, or roll over in bed! I am getting upset about this side effect of taking ATRIPLA but the labs come back in my favor! my last total cell count was 635 and my viral load is undectable. Is there a treatment that can stop or ease the growth of the breast tissue known as Gynecomastia? I am a bit embarrassed when I am doing yard work or gardening with my shirt off, the Gynecomastia makes me self conscious any advise?

[Jim Allen]

Hi

Sorry to hear about this problem.

My understanding was gynecomastia is not that uncommon as in it does tend to spike in men over 50 and nearly 25% of men are affected.

From what i always understood is due to hormonal problems, decreased testosterone however this can in be caused by a number of underlying conditions that would need to be ruled out, so the move to see a doctor and the scan is a good move to check it out and narrow down the cause. 

I suspect treatment will also really depend on the cause and findings from the doc as well, anyhow wish you all the best with the doctors follow-up and I hope a solution can be offered soon.

Take care and keep us posted.

Jim

[stevmore]

I have seen on television that gynecomastia is a side effect of such drugs as Risperdal and Invega. so because I was diagnosed with Gynecomastia, I did a complete online search of all the medications I am currently taking. I am also taking Depakote  and Keppra for epilepsy. in my search for medications side effects Atripla was the only one that I am taking that showed up. more then one site online mentioned Atripla with side effects of Gynecomastia, I am 53 yrs old and at first I was terrified when my left nipple became tender and painful to the touch,. when my shirt brushes agianst my nipple it hurts! I hope that there is a hormone treatment to resolve this issue. because after 27 yrs of full blown aids I have already as you can imagine gone through a very long list of available medications. I fear that if I change  drugs now to get rid of the Gynecomastia I may do more then good in the long run. I should be good with the Atripla for at least another five years I hope so long as my t-cell count stays good and the viral load is undetectable. I just hope that there is a treatment and I can continue with the Atripla as it seems Gynecomastia is my only side effect that is unfavorable! 

[Jim Allen]

Hi

Searching limited to the parameters of the medications and side effects is always going to give you the answer your looking for, good or bad.

Being objective with 25% of male population having this problem at a certain age well good chance its not the cause and either-way this needs to be checked by a doctor, this is the problem with self diagnosis or google doctor it tends to tell us what we want or fear.

True some medications and even HIV medication like Efavirenz can cause or make the condition worse if you are effected as its the hormone levels that cause the symptoms, however the truth really is that this is not that uncommon and the underlying cause could be anything and needs to be determined before jumping to conclusions.

I get it and do appreciate you are really concerned however stressing and self diagnosis and worrying about the meds is not going to do any good either and the best thing is to follow-up with your doc and find the truth and than the possible treatments.

I added a link for reading i found that might help.

Take it easy, wishing you the best.

Jim

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/home/ovc-20257576

[stevmore]

Thank you Jim. I found comfort in your words, my next Dr. appointment is one week following my appointment as of 5/2/17 for the sonogram. Needless to say that if Gynecomastia is all I am dealing with! I am doing very well all said and done,considering being a long term survivor and all, and having lost way to many friends to the aids virus! I guess that when a new cat comes out of the bag with a new ailment or condition. I tend to get edgy lol!

[paintedroom]

Hi Stevmore,

i understand they use Anti-Estrogens for gyno - letrozole(femara).You might want to get your Doc to check your testosterone levels if you haven`t done so already.Low test and higher estrogen can exacerbate any vulnerability you may have with meds being taken.

Failing that,there is a minor surgery(quite common) that can resolve this issue.

Hope all works out for you.