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Ask the Experts about Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment
I am 56, been teated for HIV since 1989. predent treatment is Effexor, Truvada, Norvir and Aptivus. I also take injections of Serostim ( 3 times a week), and Tesin daily. My viral load is below registering levels and my t-cell count is 183. I am obviously a long time survivor but am awfully upset about my buffalo hump. It makes me feel horrid. My doctor says that my cocktail will not add to thump but I need to lessen this growth. Do you have any thoughts? Thank you.
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Response from Dr. Henry
We don't have much information on the link (if any) between Aptivus and buffalo hump. Buffalo hump also occurs in the HIV- population as well as in connection with a variety of HIV regimens so its precise cause can be tough to pin down. Sersostim may decrease buffalo hump in some patients (that is till being studied). Testosterone generally does not help much. Surgery can be helpful but is expensive. Exercise and diet may have a modest effect in a minority of patients. From my response it should be clear that knowledge about precise cause and good treatment is still inadequate. KH
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Response from Dr. Henry
