Can You Die From Wasting

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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...

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Dying Husband with Lymphoma and Dementia; This may sound horrible, but I want him to die.

My husband is dying he was diagnosed at a very late stage Cd4 70s, viral load in the millions. My problem is unbeknown to me he had another wife in another state. She is negative and I am positive. This man literally did nothing to help himself in...

Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

I am so very sorry to hear of what is happening to you, your husband, and the other wife. I hope that you are receiving some type of help (social worker, therapist, counselor, etc). It's a lot to handle.To answer your specific question, is it... Read more »

butt-wasting

hi nelson:wasting of the butt (glutes): is there any way to prevent this? of course, heavy squats, stiff legged dead lifts, butt machines, etc have some effect. but over time, have u noticed butt-wasting? has it been pretty much irreversable?...

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

Program for Wellness Restoration

Butt wasting is one of the most common features of lipoatrophy (fat loss). Like you said, working out may keep a muscular butt but the fat loss still occurs in those taking nucleosides like Zerit or AZT. Aging also has that bad side effect.There... Read more »

Prevalence of AIDS-associated muscle wasting

I am trying to assess the prevalence of AIDS-associated muscle wasting in the United States. Any information regarding the number of patients suffering from wasting symptoms or methods of estimating this population would be greatly appreciated. I...

Response from Alvan Fisher, M.D.

Brown University School of Medicine

Everything has changed in the last few years since the advent of HAART. Prior to this (1980s-mid90s) we saw lots of cases of AIDS assoc wasting...indeed most who died from AIDS had evidence of wasting. Studies done then clearly indicated a... Read more »

wasting away?

dear doc,i am very scared i have been in tears for the last 2 months. my cheeks are wasting away, my legs, arms, neck and stomach have all gotten smaller. i dont know what to do. am i dying? i have never been tested for aids. honestly i am afraid to...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

It's never too late to get tested for HIV/AIDS. You should be able to get testing at no cost and without revealing your name. Even if you should be diagnosed with HIV, current medications can reverse the immune damage and dramatically reduce... Read more »

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Wasting

Posted by trnyack, 4 Replies

I was first diagnosed in May of 2001 when My Vl was 750,000 and my cd4 was 42m, since then I have been taking a cocktail of Viracept, Epivir, Zerit, and Bactrim, My weight has dropped from around 160 lbs to just over 120, I am nioticing veins... Read more »

wasting

Posted by trnyack, 2 Replies

I was first diagnosed in May of 2001 when My Vl was 750,000 and my cd4 was 42, since then I have been taking a cocktail of Viracept, Epivir, Zerit, and Bactrim, My weight has dropped from around 160 lbs to just over 120, I am nioticing veins bulging... 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 »

Dying from AIDS for lack of medicine

Posted by BabyPeanut, 2 Replies

Dying from AIDS for lack of medicine

More than 36 million people are living with HIV or AIDS. Ninety percent are living in developing countries where the high prices of medications are effectively condemning them to death. Without drastic changes to... Read more »

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