Question
What can I do about the weight gain around my tummy and breasts?
9 September 2010. Related: All topics, Side effects.
I am HIV positive and I am on ARV treatment but the treatment is making me gain weight especially around my breasts and tummy. Is it safe to take slimming powders or weight loosing products?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
If you are gaining weight around your stomach and breasts then it is likely that you are experiencing lipodystrophy which is a fat disorder. Lipodystrophy is a common side effect of HIV medication which has been reported with nearly every combination. 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.
During lipodystrophy fat builds up around your organs rather than under your skin which happens during ‘normal’ weight gain. Slimming powers and weight loss products do not generally work on the fat built up around your organs.
However, there are some things you can do. For a start you could speak to your HIV doctor about changing the HIV treatments you are taking. Additional treatments are explained in detail in this previous question and in the lipodystrophy section of the i-Base guide to ‘Avoiding and managing side effects’
Hi Kaz, thanks, yes, Biktarvy is a very good combination. It is one of a few combinations recommended in the UK for starting ART. It is a small pill that is very good at controlling HIV and it has few side effects. For the first few months, most people gain weight on any HIV treatment, especially if their CD4 count was low before they started. This is a good thing. Your clinic show weigh you to monitor this over time though so this can be detected early if it does become a problem.
Is Bitkarvy a good does it make me gain weight on my stomach ?
Hi Ongeziwe, what HIV treatment do you take? and do you know how much weight you have put on over how long? If it is your belly and breasts that are getting bigger, have you had a pregnancy test? If you have and you are negative, has anything else changed in your lifestyle that could lead to an increase in weight? e.g., eating more, less activity or low mood? If these have not changed, it is important to mention this to your doctor.
Hi I’m ongeziwe I’m 22 years.what can I do to
Lose a weight because my belly is getting bigger and bigger even my breast I’m on HIV treatment and I’m even preventing so I’m confused what makes my belly exactly so bigger
Hi Jennifer, what ARVs are you taking? and how long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
Am Jennifer by name from Nigeria , please anytime I take the ARV I will starting throwing Saliva and again my tummy is bigger bigger anytime I take the medicine
Hi Hazel, have you always used TLD or have you had other treatment combinations in the past? Over how long have you noticed these weight changes in your legs and your stomach?
Hi im 39years old lady be on treatment LTD for 12years my legs are tin as stick and my stomach is so big.what can i use to reduce the fat
Hi Miss T, yes it is safe to have sex without a condom. This is because your partner is undetectable. This means that their viral load is low enough that they cannot pass on HIV via sex. This is explained by U=U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
There is no need to continue taking PrEP while your parter is undetectable. There is no risk of transmission.
Hello.. my boyfriend is hiv positive but his results says undetectable. Is it safe to make love without protection.. I decided to take the Prep pill every day just to be safe.