I have been HIV since 1986. Had Non-Hodgkins Lymphona in 1992 and recovered after chemo and radiation. Have had blood strep infections. In Jan. 2003 was in the hospital for wasting. Have changed regimen to atazanivir, sequinivir, norvir and etrivir. Was on Megace and Oxandrin for about 5 months and gained weight back, mostly in my stomach. I am exercising but my stomach is huge. Are there any herbs/medications or exercises I should be doing or any diet I should be on for my huge abdominal fat?

Unfortunately when you have had a period of illness and you rapidly regain weight it often goes to the belly. There may be also some influence of past treatments for HIV.

Certainly the key to management is regular exercise and a diet high in fibre, fresh fruit and veges and oily fish 3x /week.

There may also be consideration given to checking if you are resistant to insulin with a glucose tolerance test and fasting insulin. If either of these are abnormal metformin 500mg bd may be worth a try. Finally, recent data has shown growth hormone to be very helpful for central fat accumulation...if you can access it it is likely to help substantially

regards

Graeme Moyle