Dear Doctor:

My partner has had limb tremors for five years (and has been HIV+ for 20 years.)

One year ago, thy detected lesions on his brain. He now loses balance, strength in his legs, is horribly confuded and anxious. He is extremely depressed also, despite taking Zoloft.

What do you suggest we do? He's seeing an HIV specialist, a neurologist and a psychiatrist, but they are all baffled. They wonder if he's suffering from two illnesses -- HIV and ? MRIs, bloodwork, Xrays and spinal taps have come up with nothing.

Thank you.

Paul

The symptoms you describe are consistent with the neurologic effects of HIV, which can cause loss of balance and decreased strength in the legs. When these symptoms occur by themselves, it is sometimes due to the effects of the virus on the spinal chord. Often, these symptoms occur together with confusion, memory loss and loss of other cognitive abilities. When these symptoms are severe and impair a person's ability to function, then it is consistent with the diagnosis of HIV-associated dementia. The effects of HIV on the brain generally don't show up in blood tests, X-rays or spinal taps. MRI will sometimes show changes in the "white matter" of the brain.