Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
have been positive for 21 years, undectable now and good t-cell count. on combivir, invirase, norvair..tolerate well, no infections. however i recently became diabetic...5'9 145...lipo in arms, legs, butt..how do i gain weight/lean mass while taking care to keep sugar levels under control? PS. Glad to finally find this sight again after many years..thanks
Advertisement
Response from Mr. Vergel
People who take AZT (one of the ingredients of Combivir) have shown to have higher incidence of lipoatrophy and diabetes in some studies (De Wit S et al. Relationship between use of stavudine and diabetes mellitus. Eighth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection, Glasgow. Abstract PL9.5. 2006. ) Also, AZT can cause muscle weakness (myopathy) and insulin resistance is some patients.
Is there anyway that you can switch from Combivir to tenofovir(Viread) + epivir or to Truvada? I do not know if you are in the United States or if you are in a country that has no access to tenofovir or Truvada. Talk to your doctor about this.
Are you exercising with weights/machines? Resistance exercise has been shown to increase lean body mass in patients no matter what medications they are on. Also, exercise of all types decrease blood sugar and improve the way insulin or insulin sensitizing drugs work, so it is good for people who have diabetes.
Carnitine supplements have been shown to reverse some of the muscle problems caused by AZT (in case that you need to stay on that drug due to lack of access to tenofovir). 2000 mg a day may do the job (Semino-Mora.The effect of L-carnitine on the AZT-induced destruction of human myotubes. Part II: Treatment with L-carnitine improves the AZT-induced changes and prevents further destruction. Lab Invest. 1994 Nov;71(5):773-81)
Nelson
Want to read more questions and answers on this subject? Our experts have answered many similar questions!
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
E-Mail
Glossary
Response from Mr. Vergel
