Background; I have had HIV for nearly 20 years and diagnosed with AIDS about 7 years ago due to low T-Cell (103) fatigue, etc. but only minor OIs. Recently I diagnosed with PN but my labs are looking good Im back in the 500s so now its just a matter of managing pain and other symptoms and staying proactive.

Rx; Sustiva, Truvada, Prochloperazine, Gabapentin, and Fluconazole

Im not very confident in my doctor she has made a few mistakes that I have discovered, and Im wondering if this is one of them.

Situation; I have a small, hard, round spot on my left shoulder that has been there for months. It is about 8mm around, raised just a bit, reddish purple in color, and gets a scaly skin over it no matter how much I moisturize (I have even tried putting chapstick on it) it doesnt hurt or itch or anything its just there. I have pointed this out to her and she hardly looked at it in her usual rushed fashion. Does this sound like it could be KS, should I push her to take a look at it or could it be something else?

Also about the lost confidence in my doctor; she is very nice but I dont feel safe as she is always rushed and making mistakes but she is an ADAP doctor so thats to be expected. She does go out of her way to try and help me but I just feel Im not getting the care I need. What should I do? What can I do?

Thank you for all that you do.

Thank you for your post.

It is always difficult to know whether a given provider is truly meeting all of the needs of a specific patient. While it maybe that your provider is doing everything possible to care for you the most important thing is how you or any other patient feels. If you have concerns then they need to be addressed. I do realize that depending upon ones insurance and availability of other local expert providers there may be limited options. Although there are no easy solutions I would propose that you try to schedule a time with your provider to discuss your concerns. Arranging this in advance with her so that it can occur at a time in her schedule that is not too hectic, perhaps allowing your provider additional time for this heart-to-heart discussion. If this doesn't work then the best you can do is start to explore what other options you might have with regards to alternative providers. Hopefully something can be done to reassure you that appropriate care is being provided. It may be that everything that needs to be done is already being done and it is only that your provider has insufficient time to make you feel confident of this. The healthcare system is certainly stretching people to the max in the current era.

With regards to your skin lesions it is really impossible for me to make such an assessment via the web. What you describe certainly is consistent with KS but that is all I can say from here. If you are concerned I would suggest you once again raise this issue with your provider and ask for a biopsy to be performed or at least referral to a dermatologist for further evaluation.

Best, Eric