crixivan-combivir treatment changed to me, today... help!

[Guest guest]

I was on crixivan-epivir-zerit medication for the past 6 years with low side effects but mild lypodistrophy on my legs, butt and face.Talked to the doctor today and he changed epivir-zerit to combivir.I would like to know what to expect especially on lypodistrophy.Will it improve with time?

Well, if you only have had mild lipodystrophy with this combo after 6 years, then you are one of those lucky ones. Crixivan is well known for including strong insulin resistance, hair loss, ingrown toe nails, frozen shoulder, kidney stones, dry skin and chapped lips and Zerit is well known for inducing mitochondrial toxicity (which may be implicated in neuropathy, fatty liver, lipoatrophy, etc). Mixed together they worsen both side effects. But some people are more prone than others may be sue to genetic, age, gender and life style differences.

I would not expect much to change in your case, unless you are suffering from neuropathy (Zerit is well known to cause that). AZT can also cause lipoatrophy, and can cause anemia is few patients at the lower dose.Keep doing what you are doing (working out and watching your blood sugar would be good).

If your genotype allows for it and you start failing Crixivan, you may want to opt for other options like Viramune+Viread+Emtriva (or Epivir), or Reyataz/Norvir+Viread+Emtriva...but these combos have not been studied much even though they may present metabolic advantages. Other popular combos are Sustiva+Viread+Emtriva (careful with Sustiva and potential central nervous system problems), Kaletra+Combivir (good long term data but it can cause insulin resistance and high triglycerides in some), and several others (we have 20 drugs and the combinations are endless, but some combos are to be avoided)

VergelDirector, Program for Wellness Restoration (PoWeR)An all volunteer non profit 501 © 3 organization.www.powerusa.orgSend an email to lipodystrophy-subscribe to join our free listserve!Subscribe to our newsletter PoWeRHealthReview by emailing Editor@..."Those who dare to fail miserably, can achieve greatly" Kennedy

[Guest guest]

I was on crixivan-epivir-zerit medication for the past 6 years with

low side effects but mild lypodistrophy on my legs, butt and face.

Talked to the doctor today and he changed epivir-zerit to combivir.

I would like to know what to expect especially on lypodistrophy.

Will it improve with time?

I will follow what my doctor said since it is hard for a 31 years old

guy to see changes that people will notice.

Sometimes is harder the stigma of being HIV + that complications

related to it.

I have been healthy and looking in great shape and is a big

contradiction to see that I am deteriorating no because of the HIV

status but for the medication that is keeping me alive.

I would like to get some help and advise in order to have a better

life.

Thanks:

Alec

[Guest guest]

this is the first time I have heard of " frozen shoulder " attributed

to Crixivan. I had the condition in both of my soldiers. Extremely

painful. Lasted 18 months. The middle 6 months was hell on earth.

Could not sleep. Spent many nights standing in the hot shower or

bath. Slept from 6am til about 10am each day. Than slammed vicaden

till the next day. But I never knew it might have been the crixivan

that caused it. Interesting. Oh. Do not drink alcohol on Crix. I was

not told this and had to make two trips to emergency room because of

stomach pains, I thought I was dying.

> In a message dated 1/7/04 8:44:18 PM Central Standard Time,

> aleckend@y... writes:

> I was on crixivan-epivir-zerit medication for the past 6 years with

> low side effects but mild lypodistrophy on my legs, butt and face.

>

> Talked to the doctor today and he changed epivir-zerit to combivir.

> I would like to know what to expect especially on lypodistrophy.

> Will it improve with time?

> Well, if you only have had mild lipodystrophy with this combo after

6 years,

> then you are one of those lucky ones. Crixivan is well known for

including

> strong insulin resistance, hair loss, ingrown toe nails, frozen

shoulder, kidney

> stones, dry skin and chapped lips and Zerit is well known for

inducing

> mitochondrial toxicity (which may be implicated in neuropathy,

fatty liver,

> lipoatrophy, etc). Mixed together they worsen both side effects.

But some people are

> more prone than others may be sue to genetic, age, gender and life

style

> differences.

> I would not expect much to change in your case, unless you are

suffering from

> neuropathy (Zerit is well known to cause that). AZT can also cause

> lipoatrophy, and can cause anemia is few patients at the lower

dose.Keep doing what you

> are doing (working out and watching your blood sugar would be

good).

>

> If your genotype allows for it and you start failing Crixivan, you

may want

> to opt for other options like Viramune+Viread+Emtriva (or Epivir),

or

> Reyataz/Norvir+Viread+Emtriva...but these combos have not been

studied much even though

> they may present metabolic advantages. Other popular combos are

> Sustiva+Viread+Emtriva (careful with Sustiva and potential central

nervous system

> problems), Kaletra+Combivir (good long term data but it can cause

insulin resistance

> and high triglycerides in some), and several others (we have 20

drugs and the

> combinations are endless, but some combos are to be avoided)

>

>

> Vergel

> Director, Program for Wellness Restoration (PoWeR)

> An all volunteer non profit 501 © 3 organization.

> www.powerusa.org

> Send an email to lipodystrophy-subscribe to join

our free

> listserve!

> Subscribe to our newsletter PoWeRHealthReview by emailing

> Editor@p...

>

> " Those who dare to fail miserably, can achieve greatly "

> Kennedy