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 Cathy,
Is there any chance that you might be pregnant? This could explain not having a period and the swelling of the breasts. Its very unlikely to have anything to do with you being positive.
I have been taking ARVz for four years. This month I haven’t seen my period and my breast are swallen and heavy. What should I do. Please I need your help
Hi Paula,
Weight loss is something that you should talk to a dietician about, they will be able to advise you.
I have been HIV positive for 30 Years. After I have my daughter in 1996, I gained 100 lbs and plus. since Easter 2018, I purposely managed to loose 40 lbs. I still weigh 250. I am afraid to continue. I started losing pretty fast. I had given up all meat. But I was still finding protein’s in food. I want to lose more. Any suggestions?
Hi Jim.
Though weight gain is possible when on meds, 57kilos is rather a lot. How’s your diet? Do you exercise on a regular basis?
I started on tivocay and descovy August of 2017. Almodt a year later I feel great but I went from 200 lbs to 257 lbs I do not want to change my meds but I do not know what else to do.
Hi Mike,
People can gain weight when on meds. However its very unlikely that the 30 kilos is due to the meds. What’s your lifestyle like, so eating habits, exercise etc. What was your CD4 count when you started meds?
Though the weight gain is an issue, its important that you don’t stop taking your meds. If you do your HIV will no longer be under control.
Hie ,l would like to ask ,l am on arvs but since l started drinking them last year september ,l have gained a lot of weight and uts starting to scare ,l have talked to my doctor but she keeps telling me l must loose weight drink a lot of water ,which is what l m doing but for the past 6 months l have gained 30kgs ,must l stop drinking arvs or what pliz help
Hi Pretty,
It’s great that you’ve been taking meds since 2014. But have you talked to your doctor about changes to your breasts since giving birth? It’s a good idea to have a check up for this to find out what’s causing it.
Hy is pretty 32 I am taking meds since 2014 and I never experience side effect.But my breast since I give birth is becoming sag and to small what can i do to enlarge them or just to make them firmer again