I have been on a combination of VidexEC, Viread, and Kaletra (though I've been on some combination of a protease inhibitor and other drugs since 1996).

Recently I was diagnosed as having osteopenia. My doctor started me on once-a-week Fosamax. After about 2 weeks, I started getting the feeling of having a low-grade fever constantly, then severe and extremely painful neuropathy in my lower legs, and finally a body rash. After 4 weeks on Fosamax, I stopped. The neuropathy continued to get worse. My doctor prescribed 800mg Motrin for the pain, which works for the most part.

It has been over a month since I stopped taking Fosamax, but the pain is still there.

Have you ever heard of this before in an HIV patient? And do you think the pain will eventually stop, or do you think permanent damage has been done?

Any suggestions on what to do?

Jim

That would not be a common problem with Fosamax. Headache, peripheral edema, mylagias, joint pain, back pain, flu-like symptoms-those are reported at a low rate. Videx can cause peripheral neuropathy so that needs to be considered. Some patients can develop some mineral abnormalities (Ca, PO4) that could combine with Viread effects to trigger some problems if severe. Since the neuropahty has continued after 4 weeks off the Fosamax I would suspect the Videx or something else is contributing. KH