Firstly, thanks for this brilliant site. You helped me out five years ago when I started meds, and here I am, five years on, with a new one.

My details are 40 years old, 22 years positive, 700 T cells, undetectable viral load. Am on 3TC, Abacavir and Nevirapine. Very healthy.

I have been having major problem with my right shoulder over the past few months, with chiropractic and accupuncture helping a little. X rays today have shown my shoulder joint is actually fine, but I have spots down my upper right arm, which my doctor says is bone death. He also said he has seen this in other HIV + people in their shoulder and hip joints, but never in the arms. I am seeing a specialist in 3 weeks, but I would really appreciate any thoughts or opinions you might have on this one. What actually is bone death and what can I do about it?

Many thanks to you, John

Ostesporosis (loss of bone mineral) or bone necrosis has been reported in HIV+ patients. Actual bone death has been mostly of the aseptic necrosis of the hip variety (sometimes linked to high lipids or corticosteroid use). I have not seen much on bone necrosis on the shoulder/arm so I am not sure there has been a link between HIV infection or antiretrovirals and bone necrosis in the arm/shoulder. If any reader has a reference please post it. KH