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 Philile. thanks. Using condoms should be a choice for both people. Being on ARVs though will also protect your boyfriend from HIV. If you are worried about other sexual infections or about pregnancy, this might be a reason for you to continue using condoms. If this is not a worry then this should be a choice that you both make.
Hi iam Philile
I am on ARVs and we don’t use protection with my boyfriend. He doesn’t like then anymore. Is this a risk to my health?
Hi Nomvula,
It’s not likely that you’ll get sick if you are both taking HIV treatment (ART) and have undetectable viral load.
Please see this link to undetectable = untransmittable (U=U).
And for much more info, here’s the Introduction to ART and ART in Pictures.
We are both positive and we had unprotected sex can one of us get sick?
Hi Sbongile,
Yes, if you think Aluvia is causing weight gain it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.
You can ask to switch to other HIV meds that can be easier for you to take. You can ask what meds are available for you. And you can check if they are linked to weight gain.
Can the clinic change a patient from aluvia to another drug,if she/he is gaining weight from aluvia
Hi Sam,
Many of the approaches used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides are being studied to treat fat accumulation. These include diet, exercise, and drugs in research.
There’s a lot of info about fat accumulation in this guide to HIV and your quality of life.
However, studies switching individual drugs have been less helpful with fat accumulation than with fat loss. In theory, if one particular drug is linked to these body changes then it is very reasonable to at least try another one, in case this works for you.
Please also see this guide to a balanced diet and your health.
What HIV meds are you taking? Please let us know. Please also tell us your viral load and CD4 count results.
What happens if the nurse in clinic doesn’t want to change the treatment if I want to change it because of experiencing fat disorders around my organs
Hi Maletebele,
Your viral load is undetectable, so no, there isn’t any risk. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
My boyfriend is negative I’m positive I’m on medication arvs for about ten years he is circumised.. My viral load 40 copies since I started I started taking arvs.. till now and we have dated for 3 years now and we a not using protection can i infect him.. And I don’t have uterus..