I converted to HIV+ in August of 1992 and have been on a variety of HIV medications; running the course from of the treatment choices du jour. I currently am taking Videx 250mg.x1, Viread 300mg.x1, Viramune 200mg x2 daily. (My doctor swithched me from Sustiva to Viramune about a year ago) Also I developed Type-II diabetes and take Actos 15mg.x1. My sugar is well under control with my fbs levels running between 80 and 110 daily. I was taking Niaspan for my LDL/HDL, however, the doctor discontinued it about 9 months ago as things were looking better. To counteract the effects of the flushing from the Niaspan I was also taking 1 asprin tablet at the same time. About 2 years ago I started to experience some hearing loss and tinnitius, first Dx was congested ear drum, however, after serveral months I starrted to experience vertigo and the hearing loss shifted from the right ear to the left ear and progressively has become worse. Most recent Dx subsequent to a coin toss and MRI, is Menier's Disease. I am wondering if any other folks on HIV medication have had similar situation and if one or more of the medications could be contributing to the fluid build up etc., searching for any help on the matter as it seems there is not much more to be done regarding Menier's than I am already doing, taking Ambien for the vertigo and Acetazolamide 125mg.x1 for the fluid build up. Needless to say I believe that the Menier's is much more debilitating than any HIV related difficulties I have had since converting. My CD4 count has been between 455 and 840 and viral load undetectable since 12/02; last CD4 in January was 663, undetectable viral load, Cholor 155 (ldl 91, hdl 46. Appreciate any information or insight that you could provide.

Miniere's disease occurs in the general population and is a poorly understood disorder with recurrent vertigo, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. I have had some patients develop it on ddI and also 3TC in the past (small number). I am not sure if the drugs contributed but I would up changing them around. I have some concern about increased subtle toxicities between ddI and Viread (as well as CD4 issues). If standard measures for Miniere's doesn't help and you are being seen by an ENT doc with no other explanation as to a cause, a review of switching options with your HIV doc is reasonable to consider. KH