Question
Is loosing weight from legs and buttocks a side effect?
29 October 2010. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects.
I have been on meds for 18 months and have lost 16 kg, which is not really noticeable cause I am a big gal. However, I am a bit worried cause it looks like my legs are thinner as well as my buttocks. I have complained about this to my doctor and have now been referred to another physician as I am worried that this might be the side effects.
My viral load is 29 and CD4 count is 1079. My main worry is what if they change me and I don’t do well? Do you think it is the weight as I don’t remember when last I weighed less than 100kg.
After 18 months can I really develop new symptons beside the discolouring of my nails?
Answer
Hi
Thank you for your question. I will try to answer each part, but you did not say which drugs you are using and which country you live in. This information would be helpful so the answer can be more specific.
Fat loss (from the face, arms, legs and buttocks) used to be a common side effect from using combinations that include either d4T (also called stavudine or Zerit) or AZT (also called zidovudine or Retrovir). AZT can also cause muscle loss from the buttocks and can cause darkening of the nails in Black people.
Switching the d4T or AZT to alternative drugs can slowly reverse some fat loss, though putting tissue back on the buttocks and face is difficult and even if it reverses it is a slow process. Exercise to increase leg and buttock muscle takes a lot of work, but can slowly build up to balance the lost fat.
The drugs you could switch to are either tenofovir or abacavir. Please speak with your doctor about which or these or other alternative may be better for you.
Your CD4 count and viral load show that the treatment is controlling HIV very well, but any unexplained weight loss should be discussed with your doctor in case it is a symptom of another illness.
I use to have a big booty and thighs,then all of a sudden they started reducing and nw my butt is flat,what is the cause
Hi Mary,
Unless you’re using a combination that contains AZT, then the weight loss is unlikely to be due to your meds. Please discuss this with a doctor.
Hi Asma,
Sorry to hear this. But we are not doctors at i-Base. We give information about the meds used to treat HIV for people who are HIV positive and their friends and families.
Please see your doctor about your symptoms.
I am asma from nigeria, I have no HIV but i experience excessive weight loss from my legs and buttocks. What illness or disease causes such.
Thank you
Hi Selina,
Please see the above post.
Hi I’m using ADCO-EFAVIRENZ 600MG ,ASPEN LAMZID Antivirale Middel and Centrum Multivitamin living in South Africa.i have a problem of loosing weight on my legs and buttocks are becoming thinner and always have pills What can be the course and what can I do?I start treatment 2010
Hi Raktim,
Good to hear that you are fine now. Perhaps you could try exercise to put some muscle on your legs and buttocks? Make sure you keep eating lots so that you don’t lose more weight.
I was suffering from pancreatic but now I am fine …but I lose my weight I eat a lot ,with protein vitamins etc…but I am not gaining weight as earlier… And my legs ,hands and buttock getting thinner.
Hi Joe,
We are not doctors at i-Base. But taking HIV treatment doesn’t usually darken skin. You can talk to the doctor about your skin and also ask if your stomach ulcer can be treated.
Hi.I was diagnosed with hiv in 2012 and i
have been on treatment since then. My only problem now is my facial skin. I am becoming dark and the other problem is that i am always constipated and have stomach ulcer. Is there anything i can use to brighten my face and heal my ulcer completely. Please help.