i have stiff legs and really severe pains in my hips the medications i take are zerit epivir sustiva septra and biaxin. my hips hurt almost all the time, could these meds be part of the problem?

thank you, mr. king

There are reports of aseptic necrosis of the hips in HIV patients which can can cause pain. Though most of the reports have involved patients taking protease inhibitors it is not yet clear at all what is the cause and how the drugs may or may not be involved. Use of corticosteroids can also lead to early hip problems. You should tell her HIV doc about that and probably get a hip X-ray for starters. There is also a possibility that either a muscle or a nerve problem could be the cause so a good physical exam and some lab work can perhaps sort that out as well. Osteoarthritis can also be seen as people age not related to any drug or disease so the list of possibilities is lengthy.

Keith Henry, M.D.