Question
Why am I putting on weight?
8 July 2010. Related: All topics, Side effects, Starting treatment.
I have known my status for about 8 years and started medication a year ago. The name of the medication am on is Truvada and nevirapine. My question is, I have put on weight since I started this medicine, do you think it could be because of the medication as I haven’t changed my diet? I did talk with my doctor she told me that it’s not the medicine but I don’t agree with this answer. Can someone help because I am so stressed out? I am 34 years old and 5:1 tall
Answer
Thank you for your question.
It is difficult for me to answer your question accurately without further information. I would need to know your ‘normal’ weight before you were positive, how much weight you have gained since starting treatment and where on your body you are putting on weight e.g. around your stomach, chest and back or elsewhere.
As a general rule, some people find that they do put on weight slightly once they start treatment. This is due to your body having to work really hard to fight the infection before when your viral load was still high. Once the medication is started and your viral load goes down your body is no longer using up as much energy fighting the virus. So although your food intake has not changed, the rate at which you burn it has changed and this could mean there is some weight gain.
However, fat accumulation is also a well documented side effect (called lipodystrophy) that has been reported with nearly every combination. Ask your doctor whether your symptoms are more likely to be a side effect than normal ‘return-to-health’ weight gain.
Lipodystrophy involves fat accumulating in the abdomen (stomach), breasts, shoulders, neck and is sometimes exaggerated by fat loss from the arms, legs, buttocks and face.
Although this usually only happens slowly over several years, there have also been reports of it occuring more quickly in some people.
For more information fat accumulation see this link.
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