I have been diagnosed 11 years ago and have been on every imaginable combination. My current combination is Ziagen, Crixivan and a study drug ABT/378 (since August 17). Previous combination since December 23, 1999 was Crixivan, Norvir and Ziagen. For the last 1 1/2 months approx. My feet have had what I thought to be ingrown toenails that had gotten infected (with blisters). They were swollen and very tender to the touch. It started out with only 2 toes and now has progressed to 4 toes. I saw my physician and he informed me that it was severe neuropathy and he wasn't sure what the treatment would be, so he would get back to me. I actually thought that this might be diabetes. My question is is this severe neuropathy with sores on the feet possible with the amount of swelling and tenderness? I have had neuropathy previously when I was on D4T and was prescribed Elavil. That lasted 2 years. This was 3 years ago. When medication switched, I no longer had the neuropathy pain and numbness. I would really appreciated any insight you can offer.

Xenia

The medications you are currently on would not likely contribute to any neuropathy that you might be experiencing. Certainly the indinavir has been associated with ingrown toe nails which can lead to infections and surrounding blisters, etc. The ritonavir in the ABT-378/r would help the indinavir achieve higher trough levels which is good from the HIV Rx perspective but could aggravate ingrown toenails (you might go see a podiatrist). If the ingrown toenails are identified to be the start of some of your foot problems then switching off the indinavir to perhaps amprenavir or another drug (depending on past drug exposure, resistance tests, etc) might allow for continued virologic success while minimizing the nail problem. KH

Keith Henry, M.D.