Question
I’ve been on ARVs since 2005 but my legs are thin?
16 August 2021. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects.
Hi, I have been on ARVs since 2005 but my body has changed. My legs are now thin.
Answer
Hi there
Thanks for your question but without more details it is difficult to comment in detail.
The following things might help though.
First, have you talked to your doctor about this? If yes, what do they say?
Secondly, although early HIV drugs caused body changes in some people, including fat loss, this is not a problem with modern treatment. You don’t say which current drugs you are using. Also, which drugs you used in the past.
Sometimes body changes were worse in people who started treatment with a very low CD4 count. This means that advanced HIV could also be responsible.
Are the changes recent? Or did this happen slowly over many years?
Most of us find that our bodies also change as we get older. So as well as being on treatment, you are now 16 years older than when you started.
Unfortunately, whatever the cause, there is not an easy solution to make your legs larger again. Diet and exercise can help – for example, exercising with weights to build up your leg muscles. This is difficult but it might slowly help.
Exercise can also help in other ways that makes you appreciate your body. Most of us never quite look the way we want to – especially as we get older – but this shouldn’t stop us still enjoying the body that we have.
Hi Mpho, thanks. Please see the full answer above:
https://i-base.info/qa/17483
Many of us have the same problem and as it is so difficult to reverse, it is something we have to generally learn to live with. Lots of other things in life can be good though.
Hello. I have the same problem. Been on arc doe around 20 years. Skinny legs, bum and hips are thin and flat. I she been on stocktrin, Atripla and a few others. My stomach has grown and am shapeless. Tried leg exercises to tone what’s left but it’s hard as my legs don’t have as much fat. I need your advice
Hi Christina, there isn’t a specific food to eat to just change one part of your body. Eating more food will increase weight all over your vody. Leg exercises might help increase the muscles on your legs.
What food can I eat to increase my thin legs
Hi Bridget, thanks for posting about your experience.
What does your doctor say about this?
Losing fat and muscle from your lower body might be a side effect called lipoatrophy. If might also be linked to having a bigger tummy as part of general body changes called lipodystrophy.
This is much more likely to the HIV meds you first took 16 years ago, before these side effects were understood.
Acriptega is not likely to still be causing these problems, but it is also unlikely to reverse them.
The links below include more inforamtion and you could maybe show them to your doctor to talk about.
This link has more information about lipoatrophy (lower body):
https://i-base.info/guides/side/fat-loss-lipoatrophy
And about lipodystrophy:
https://i-base.info/guides/side/lipodystrophy
Unfortunately these changes are very difficult to reverse although perhaps diet and exercise could make a little difference.
I am sorry that I don’t have an easy answer, other than still finding ways to enjoy other things in life.
I am on ACRIPTEGA, my lower body is very thin, I am a size 10 at the bottom and 14 at the top. And i cant loose weight in my tummy area. I have been on ARVS for 16 years.
Hi Margaret, do you mind me asking what HIV treatment you are taking? and have you always used the same treatment for the last 23 years?
When did you first notice that you legs, bum and hips are too thin? Have you tried anything to increase their size e.g., targeted exercise to build muscle mass? How is your weight in general?
I have the same problem my legs are too thin my bum hips and things are too thin 23 yrs on medication
Hi Thandie, what is the name of the treatment you are taking?
I am sorry to hear about your loss of confidence. How much weight have you lost? and when did you first notice that you were losing weight/body becoming thin?
Have you noticed any other changes in your body e.g., weight around the stomach, changes in colour, stretch marks or rashes? Have you spoken with a doctor before about how you are feeling?
I have been on arvs since 2009my body has total change my bums hips my legs and thighs are thin I’m completely shapeless my corfindece gone