I have been positive for 2.5yrs, on treatment (sustiva+kivexa) for 8months and have been plagued by diarrhea for about 18months. I have tried all of the following -stool tests (several!) for parasites, none found -removed wheat and lactose from my diet, no change -removed as much insoluble fibre as possible from my diet -colonoscopies (2) with no real signs of any problems, but given mesalazine 800mg 3xdaily for a month, no improvement -taken probiotic supplements for months, then tried not taking them for several months, no change -taken pectin supplements for 2 months, no change -taken loperamide for months on end which ended up giving me trapped wind where everything sat in my gut, prolonged gaps between motions but still stools were not formed.

I am starting to get very down about this as it has meant an end to any sex life (as a gay man), and makes me feel constantly uneasy. I have not lost any weight during this, no other symptoms of anything else and my CD4 is 440 or above and my VL undetectable

What else can i possibly try? I'm feeling emotionally exhausted by it and doctors in the UK cannot seem to help me and keep giving me intervals of over 6 months before seeing me again, in the mean time my sex life is remaining on hold!

Any ideas?

I assume you have tried a lactose free diet or lactase supplements as well?? Any other meds you are taking that could aggravate your loose stools (such as some antidepressants). In cases like yours I would often consider a planned switch to an alternative HIV regimen (ie Truvada for Kivexa and/or raltegravir or nevirapine or a boosted PI or atazanvir-if using Kivexa- for the Sustiva on a scheduled trial and error basis).