HELP! Weight Gain, Obesity and HIV?

[superdupe]

  OK Boys and girls I recently asked my HIV doc about weight gain and my HIV, and I got kinda blown off, seeing I've officially put on 80 lbs in two years. (No, that's not a typo.)
      I've been poz for 5 years, undetectable for 4.5 of those, and on several drug regimens with most recently being Atripla 18 mos ago.  Amazingly I was once known to take care good of myself. I was proud of being a stocky well proportioned musclebear when I first became diagnosed, at 190 lbs and a 34 waist. Now, I'm at an extremely uncomfortable 270, at a 42 waist and at the epitome of depression because of this.
       So I just got done reading this article on "Obesity Common in  Patients",  http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_obesity_wasting_1667_15773.shtml.

      Where the hell have I been? Has anybody else had this problem, or suggestions for rectifying it?

          Any suggestions will be appreciated!

[Cosmicdancer]

Hi superdupe, I'm sorry to hear that your gaining excessive weight under your newest regimen.  A lot of people on here have commented that they've gained weight on atripla so you're not alone.  You didn't mention, but has your routine changed in the past 18 months?  Do you watch your diet and exercise?  I'm on atripla too for the past 12 months and my weight has stayed basically the same, I'm 5'9", 170.  I try to work out a couple of days a week, I walk a couple of miles a day, and I eat reasonable food portions and avoid snacking between meals.  The NRTIs in atripla can contribute to deep belly fat, higher cholesterol and triglicerides so you should try to counteract those metabolic issues with exercise and proper diet.  I know that the sustiva in atripla can affect mood and contribute to depression, which may make you much less inclined to exercising, but I find that exercising helps my mood and my energy level, and I've actually been feeling fine on my meds so far.

You might want to speak to a nutritionist.  If you hate the gym or can't afford it, you can try riding a bicycle or walking more to burn off those calories.  If you're doing well on atripla, I'd be reluctant to switch unless it's really affecting your mental state.  You can get to a more comfortable weight if you work at it.  Don't get down on yourself.  Some of us find bears adorable.

[BT65]

Superdupe,

I suggest you going to see a dietician or nutritionist, and one who's familiar with HIV.  I'm assuming you exercise.  With my weight gain, I had to see a registered dietician and  totally change my diet.  I'm diabetic and I was eating chocolate and things like Doritos etc., so it wasn't even healthy.  I now eat a diabetic diet, and exercise 5 days a week.  Anyway, good luck to you; that's where I would start.
  Luv,
Betty

[Miss Philicia]

80 lbs within 24 months is a quick, huge increase and such quick weight increases can cause high blood pressure.  I'm surprised that your HIV specialist didn't force the issue with you to go to a nutritionist, as well as being properly screened for depression (which can lead to binge eating). 

And yeah, that all happened to me except I initially had wasting issues so part of that was gaining the weight back (which was good) but then I went too much in the other direction.  Total though was only 40 lbs over 2 years but it gave me high blood pressure, and 4 years later I still take medication for this.

Fat accumulation from HIV medication does happen, but it's not on the surface like normal weight gain blubber it's buried and called visceral abdomen fat and is associated with hyperlipidemia.  However, most people have a combination of the two so you should be able to diet and exercise (must do both, not just one) to lose the surface fat.

[aztecan]

Hey Superdupe,

I, too, am surprised your doctor didn't raise the issue with you.

A trip to the nutritionists is something I would insist on, were I you. That way, he/she could give you a plan to help you reduce safely while eating healthily.

Exercise also is key, as Philly said.

But make sure everything else checks out OK first. Things like high blood pressure or diabetes could really throw a monkey wrench into the works.

It is time for a heart-to-heart with the doctor, in my humble opinion.

HUGS,

Mark

[RapidRod]

I'm on a weight watch. Got up to 160 lbs and she wants it maintained right there, but I was only 128 pounds when she began to be my ID doctor 4 years ago. No real fast increase in weight gain.

[linlin]

just going to start Atripla tonight.. i am fighting obesity my whole life and just finally after a year in the gym and diet lost 13 pounds now I'm scared to death I'm going to gain it back plus more.. i have very little self esteem and confidence due to the weight issue and now all this on top of it.. anyone who has not gained on this drug... i can deal with the dreams etc but the gaining i freaking me out.. diagnosed 5 years ago first time needing meds CD4- 299