Pain in knees, legs, ankles...

[viajan0917]

Hi all
So I am still somewhat new to the poz thing (in my opinion at least, 7 months) and ive had some recurring issues that i can't seem to get closure on.
about 5 months ago i started getting swollen lymph nodes in my neck....my doctor told me that this was likely related to the HIV.
however i did see the doctor on 2 seperate occasions for 2 episodes (about a week long each) where i would have a pain that would start in my knee. I would not describe this as a joint pain at all, its more of just in internal or some kind of a muscle pain. kind of like a swelling feeling. Well this pain seems to present itself in my knees, ankles and my wrists, elbows, and groin (although no where near as much as my knees) and I am going thru my third episode of this and dont know what to do about it.
my doctor tells me this is not related to the HIV, however I can't help but wonder if my Dr is missing something.
I am on treatment, however I started having this issue before I started taking meds so I do not believe the meds to be a cause of this.
The only thing I can think of is that (to my knowledge) we all have lymph nodes located in all of these areas that i am experiencing the pain in. Could it have something to do with the HIV in my lymph nodes?
I would not describe this as an intense pain whatsoever, more so of a dull pain. But it is discomforting nonetheless. I find that the only time throughout these episodes that the sensation does not exist is when I wake up in the morning- but it usually kicks in within a few hours after I wake up.
Has anyone had any similar experiences, or anyone have any insight as to what could be going on?I am on my 12th week of treatmant and my labs are looking okay (CD4 925, VL 62) so I would like to believe that this is not HIV related however I can't help but worry. I have also read very briefly on something called Inflammation that occurs with HIV positive patients- but I do not know anything about it.
I understand I am rambling at this point, and I may just be overreacting. But I want to put my mind (and this pain) to ease and I don't seem to be getting anywhere with my doctor.
any input at all would be greatly appreciated
thank you

[Matty the Damned]

have also read very briefly on something called Inflammation that occurs with HIV positive patients- but I do not know anything about it.

You mean Immune Reconstitution Syndrome?

MtD

[viajan0917]

have also read very briefly on something called Inflammation that occurs with HIV positive patients- but I do not know anything about it.

You mean Immune Reconstitution Syndrome?

MtD

No- I have not heard of Immune Reconstitution Syndrome.
 I read VERY briefly on something referred to as Inflammation- however please forgive me for even mentioning it; as I said, I sort of just started rambling on in my original post.

This Immune Reconstitution Syndrome-  does my described scenario sound like something that may be caused by it?

[jkinatl2]

I had IRIS (what they call it here, stands for Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome).

It happened when I foolishly waited until a CD4 count of 12 and then took meds. All kinds of dormant infections popped up, including (and prominently) PCP. I was in the hospital for two weeks (emailing with Tim Horn for some of that time, actually, and on Skype with some AM folks).

I figured out what I had by day three, but the doctors went around and around before finally treating the inflammation with IV steroids. I got to say "I told you so." And I got to live through it. Both cool things.

But if your symptoms appeared BEFORE you started taking meds, I think you can rule out IRIS. Also, your CD4 count is VERY good, very high, and it is unlikely that you have a dormant infection springing to life. I certainly hope you find the cause of your issue. It could very well be not related to HIV at all. It's easy to see everything through "AIDS eyes" when you have this illness.

[viajan0917]

Thank you, jkinati. I appreciate you reading through my excessively long worry/rant.
Sorry to hear that you had to deal with this "IRIS", but glad to hear you got through it

And yes, especially the point I'm at where I'm still trying to adjust to living with this illness, It's soo hard for me to not see everything through "AIDS eyes". I have my next appointment with my specialist on May 10th (It's a new doctor actually, my previous doctor is mysteriously "no longer with the practice") So maybe this new doctor will have another opinion. In the mean time, I just thought it might be comforting or informative to get some feedback here before my next visit to the doc.

Thanks again

[Trish]

Perhaps it has nothing to do with HIV... when I was first diagnosed, every little ache/pain, soreness or whatever, I always blamed on HIV, but most of it had nothing to do with HIV.  Maybe you have arthritis, or even gout, but not sure about that since you mention it's in your groin as well.  I suffer from arthritis & fibromyalgia (recently diagnosed), but had always thought it was my meds or HIV causing the pain, and like you I sustain very high cd4's (over 1000 all the time).  I was wrong... it was arthritis & fibro, had nothing to do with HIV.  You should certainly mention this to your doctor.  I hope whatever is ailing you is nothing serious.  Wishing you the best & hope you find out what is going on.