I am 42 and have had an AIDS diagnosis for 13 years. I am doing well now after becoming an organic vegetarian and regular exercise and herbal suplaments. I do however suffer from body aches. I have a diagnosis of radiculopathy (sp?) in my legs, for years they said it was neuropathy but now say this. I take Lyrica at night so I can sleep but during the day I have sever body aches especially in back and lower body, to the point that it is difficult getting up from a seated position. The dr said it is not fibramialgia (sp?) and other dr have been no help accept for prescribing narcotics wich I do not want. I am taking Reyataz, Norvir and Truvada for 2 yrs T-cell @ 200 and hovering with undetec. viral load. I also suffer from low energy level and it is difficult to maintane muscle mass even though I take a protien supplament daily. And , I am not depressed, or anemic, although frustrated. Please help, thanks.

It is great that you are undetectable. You do not mention what your CD4 count was at the start of therapy, but being above 200 is OK. The back pains and other symptoms are certainly consistant with radiculopathy, which may be caused by what it called a "slipped disc" (displacement of the pads between the spinal bones) or another problem with the bones in the spine. This is when there is nerve impingement on one of the nerves as they exit the spine to reach your body parts. If he nerve to the right leg is "pinched", for example, you would feel pain and have muscle spasm in that leg. You may not even realize the problem is in the back. Bad radiculopathy can limit mobility and be very incapacitating. Muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory meds (such as NSAIDS), physical therapy, massage, whirlpools, heating pads and stretching and adbominal muscle strengthening excercises can help some people. Injections of pain killers and anti-inflammatory steroids into the involved area can sometimes help if done by an experienced pain management expert, orthopedics specialist or neurosurgeon. Sometimes surgery is needed if the symtoms are severe or debilitating, but results may be varied. Keeping your weight done and maintaining good posture are also important.

Good luck,

Joe