How Can I Help My Friend With AIDS Wasting Syndrome

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Wasting Syndrome

Hormone levels can affect the metabolism. HIV seems to change some hormone levels including testosterone and thyroid. Also, cytokines play a role in wasting. Cytokines are proteins that produce inflammation to help the body fight infections. People with HIV have very high levels of cytokines. This makes the body produce more fats and sugars, but less protein. Unfortunately, these factors can work together to create a "downward spiral." For...

Ask the Experts

Reversing AIDS wasting???

I have a friend that was diagnosed with AIDS 4 months ago after developing streccosus pnuemonia. He also had diarrea for at least 3 months before this diagnosis He is now on truvada, prezista, & norvir. Before he got so sick he was 6'4 and...

Response from Nelson Vergel, B.S.Ch.E., M.B.A.

Program for Wellness Restoration

First of all, make sure he is eating and that his diarrhea is under control. For his diarrhea, has he tried Flagyl or other broad range agent? For food intake, I definitely like Juven since it is a light supplements with good amino acids. I also... Read more »

NEW MEDICATION FOR WASTING SYNDROME

I WAS DIAGNOSED HIV+ SEVEN YRS AGO. MY DOCTOR HAS DIAGNOSED ME WITH WASTING SYNDROME AND HE SAID IT IS BECAUSE OF THE MEDICATION (CRIXIVAN, ZERIT, AND EPIVIR). A FRIEND OF MINE HEARD ABOUT A NEW MEDICATION TO TREAT THIS CONDITION, PUBLISHED IN POZ...

Response from Alvan Fisher, M.D.

Brown University School of Medicine

I read POZ regularly. I am not aware of a new medication to treat wasting. We do have several approved medications for wasting including anabolic steroids such as oxandrolone as well as appetite stimulants and growth hormone. If you find out... Read more »

Wasting Syndrome - sunken face

Why do I and some other people with AIDS have no trouble putting on muscle, but have not an ounce of fat? I have a fabulously well muscled body with not an ounce of fat. Which looks fine but when you look at my face you can see that there is muscle...

Response from Cal Cohen, M.D., M.S.

Harvard Medical School

Michael,... Read more »

Exercise vs wasting syndrome

I have a question about exercise & nutrition versus wasting syndrome. First my last labs/dr visitwas 1/9 of this year. CD4 was 600, vl undetectable. I am a male, 5'8, slight build and all my adultlife weighed 145 until 5 years ago when I...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Eating healthy/exercising and carrying an appropriate (not excessive) weight makes sense for most patients even in the context of HIV infection. KH... Read more »

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Wasting---help me

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

I'm sorry to come on board, but I need help. My husband is wasting away. He's newly on meds, but not gaining. It seems as though his buttcheeks are completely gone. I don't know what to do.

I'm afraid. He's down to 120 and losing despite putting... Read more »

Wasting severly--HELP

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

My loved one is wasting away, how much weight can a person lose and still get healthier? I am very scared and worried about him. Read more »

My friend needs help

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Hello,
I am writing on behalf of my friend.He has had the HIV virus for a couple of years and has lost alot of weight. He is wondiring why he has lost weight in his face.He was wondering what that could be due to. He asked me to post a bulletin on... Read more »

HIV/AIDS Lipoatrophy (Facial Wasting)

Posted by bradford, 2 Replies

HIV/AIDS Lipoatrophy (Facial Wasting)

Individuals living with HIV and AIDS may not only have to deal with the threat of illness but the toll of illness. All that is required to stay healthy and alive can leave an everlasting mark! I'm referring to... Read more »

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