Dr. Henry, Right before I knew I was HIV poz I started having bizarre pain in the back of my thighs. The entire skin would hurt from the bottom of my buttocks to the back of my knees. The only way to describe this would be pins and needles hurt but worse. Maybe a really bad sunburn. It went away after a month but it made me feel like crap for weeks. This happens off and on about twice a year. Now its on my left forearm and my right front thigh. I think its my nerves being irritated. My HIV doc acts like I'm crazy. But it really hurts and keeps me from my normal exercise routine. Hopefully this will go away on its own also. Any anwers on this phenominon or treatment advice? My viral load is undetectable, 800 CD4 count and I'm on Atripla. Been poz since 2005. Thanks James

Old herpes zoster or sometimes other forms of neuropathy can cause intermittent symptoms as you describe but often very difficult to pin down with any test. Have you been seen by an HIV experience neurologist? KH