Can't Stop Gaining Weight

[buginme2]

So I started meds in December (Atripla..Yay!) Since I started I have gained about 15 pounds.  My diet has not changed, I eat pretty healthy, always have.  I eat mostly a vegetarian diet, lots of veggies.  I work out about 4-5 days a week.  I'm trying to tone up for summer but I feel like I am fighting a losing battle.  I don't know if this is an Atripla thing, an HAART thing (not just Atripla but any med), or an age thing..I'm closely approaching the big 4-0. 

Any have any ideas as to whats going on?  I used to be in pretty good shape (good muscle tone).  I read a post on Dr. Gallants website and he stated most matter of factly that lipo issues DO NOT affect those on newer medications.  That they were part of the AZT meds in the past.  Is that right?

Anyone have a good workout plan?  ugh

[newt]

HIV fucks your metabolism, fat metabolism specifically. If you go on meds it is likely you will be less thin. Have you seen how thin dying people with AIDS are?

Weight per se is not the key thing to look at, it's fat as a % of body weight. Muscle weighs more than fat (I guess you know this). Do (lots) more cardio and less gym if you wanna be lighter (I guess you known this too).

On lipo, if the weight (fat) gain is pinchable it's not lipo. Fat accumulation from meds adds fat on the inside, around your organs, not over your waistband. Atripla is more associated with fat loss than fat gain.

Some older meds, specifically AZT and d4T, are associated with fat loss.

Let's not mention age....

- matt (46)

[hope_for_a_cure]

I have put on quite a bit of weight after starting on meds (Atripla).  This time last year I was down to 130 lbs and I remember being so bony that it actually hurt to just sit in a chair w/o lots of cushion.  I need to take off a few pounds at this point but really dont worry about it too much.  I was a heavy kid and also in my 20s. 

I like the extra weight as long as I can still see my feet when I look down. 

[buginme2]

Ok just an update.  I weighed myself yesterday and I am still gaining weight.  I have put on another 5 pounds.  Back in October before I started meds I was around 160.  As of yesterday I am up over 180.  I dont want to blame it on the meds, it just seems like a big coincidence that I started as soon as I started Atripla.  Anyone else experience this? When will it stop.  At this rate I'm going to be HUGE

[elf]

The best workout plan is to run, 10 miles a day.  
(and of course, low carbo, low saturated fat diet)

[Miss Philicia]

Karl Lagerfeld stays slim by eating a diet of baby food.

[buginme2]

The best workout plan is to run, 10 miles a day.  
(and of course, low carbo, low saturated fat diet)

Who has time to run 10 miles a day? How boring.  Aa far as low carb, I'm not a fan.   I eat mostly a vegatarian diet.  So I'm not one to load up on meat.  Dont get me wrong I eat plenty of protein, just an all protein diet sounds borring.

I'm saving the baby food option for later.

[surf18]

come on give this guy serious answers. do the modern drugs cause someone to gain 20 lbs in four months??
or is it one becoming "healthy" that makes the weight gain.
look were all vain in a good way and this is a huge question especially since everyone seems to be on this drug. how bout some real answers please.

[mikeyb39]

hi bug,
i was 210 when i got sick and went down to 173 in about 3 weeks time, since i started atripla i went to 184, then went back to dr the other day and down to 179, so im fluctuating.  my ass is a little thicker thankfully because my tailbone was hurting there for a while..lol

[Jeff G]

Have your doctor check your thyroid if he hasn't already .

[terrysenc]

I went from 155 to 170 after starting Truvada, reyetaz and norvir.  I asked my doctor about it and he said it was possible that it was from getting "healthy" and not really the meds.  I know your on atripla but maybe its all the same.

[Zohar]

I don't have much to add here but just to say that since I started medication a lot of my clothes, particularly shirts, no longer fit; button holes are literally now straining when I do them up and those at the collar simply won't fasten at all without choking me. I'm on a tight budget so if anything I'm eating less than I used to and am definitely drinking less, so it seems pretty clear to me that medication has caused the weight gain.

[Ac75088]

So I started meds in December (Atripla..Yay!) Since I started I have gained about 15 pounds.  My diet has not changed, I eat pretty healthy, always have.  I eat mostly a vegetarian diet, lots of veggies.  I work out about 4-5 days a week.  I'm trying to tone up for summer but I feel like I am fighting a losing battle.  I don't know if this is an Atripla thing, an HAART thing (not just Atripla but any med), or an age thing..I'm closely approaching the big 4-0. 

Any have any ideas as to whats going on?  I used to be in pretty good shape (good muscle tone).  I read a post on Dr. Gallants website and he stated most matter of factly that lipo issues DO NOT affect those on newer medications.  That they were part of the AZT meds in the past.  Is that right?

Anyone have a good workout plan?  ugh

wow..And I was afraid I would start losing weight after I started my Meds..I didn't wanna start getting thin

[Jeff G]

I have been trying to lose weight or at least belly fat and was talking to some people this weekend about all the cardio and working out I have been doing , just when I thought I had sufficiently impressed everyone my six year old niece interupted to ask if cardio gives you a fat belly cause it sure looks like its workin on me if it does . I love her anyway .     

[buginme2]

wow..And I was afraid I would start losing weight after I started my Meds..I didn't wanna start getting thin

I would not worry about that.  So basically I have held steady since I have posted this.  I may have even dropped a couple pounds.  However, I did have to buy some new clothes since I have gone up 2 pant sizes since I started meds 5 months ago (any reason to buy clothes right?)

jg1962:  You have to love the unfiltered speak of kids. haha.