Question
Will my joint pain improve with treatment?
22 June 2012. Related: All topics.
I’m HIV positive with a CD4 of 204 and undetectable VL my problem is I’m struggling with my joints now, I can’t even walk properly. It is paining. I’ve tried all the arthritis medications you can think of and it is not helping. This started before I took my ARVs and doctor told me the minute I start ARVs I will be much better. I’m taking tribuss.
Answer
Hello,
Thank-you for your question.
Joint pain is common in people with HIV, and can have many causes. HIV can cause a variety of conditions which could cause joint pain. These include peripheral neuropathy, arthritis and various rheumatic problems. These are more common at lower CD4 counts. Could you tell me what your CD4 count was when you were diagnosed?
If your joint pain is related to HIV it may improve while on treatment. This will not be instant and may take some time. How long have you been on treatment?
If your pain doesn’t improve it’s important to get a diagnosis. If the joint pain needs separate treatment it is important to know the cause. Your doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist – a doctor who deals with joint problems.
Your doctor should be able to prescribe pain relief. Pain killers which reduce inflammation – like ibuprofen- may also help.
Hi Ntokze, as with our reply to Zinhles comment, this is something that your doctor need to know about. Please tell your doctor about the prednisone – this might be linked to the weight gain.
Hi just read Zinhles comments am also having more or less the same problem I am on Tribuss bt am also taking Prednisone not prescribed by my doctor. I take prednisone for my Asthma which is not chronic but sometimes at night I have breathing problems which are Nocturnal. …and I have gained a lot of weight .
This can depend on what HIV meds you are taking. Ibuprofen can interact with some of them. Sometimes your doctor can adjust the dosage and timing of your meds to avoid this. Close monitoring is recommended in some cases.
You can ask your doctor to check with the HIV drug interaction site:
http://www.hiv-druginteractions.org
I was diagnosed on January this year and I am having pain in my joints and muscles and back my sister said I can take ibuprofen is it safe
Hi Mantwa,
If you are experiencing side effects or symptoms you should talk to your doctor. At i-Base we are not doctors and we can’t diagnose symptoms online.
i also have walking problem it startred before i take treatment and now im undectable what can be the problem
Hi Zinhle,
I’m sorry but this is a specialist area and there is very little we can do to help online. If you are in a lot of pain your doctor should be able to prescribe stronger painkillers than ibuprofen. If you are still looking for a clear diagnosis one option may be to ask for a second opinion or referral to a specialist. I’m sorry that I can’t help further with this situation.
Best of luck!
Thanks for responding
Been on chronic for rheumotoid. Was attending St Augustine hospital in durban. The only thing it did to me was putting making me more fat which create more complications. My doctor knows I’m taking prednisone but she doesn’t know I’m taking 4 she told me to take 2 but if I take that 2 I can’t wake up to work.
Is there anything u can suggest for me that will help me forget about brufen it is a game it doent help me kind of vitamins
Hi Zinhle,
Thanks for getting back to me with the additional information. Can I ask if your doctor has ever referred you to a rheumatologist? It is possible that your joint pain is not related to your HIV diagnosis, especially considering you were experiencing these problems when your CD4 count was as high as 500.
You say you are taking prednisone on your own- do you mean that your doctor doesn’t know about this? There are no known harmful effects of taking Tribuss with prednisone but the levels of prednisone in your body will be reduced when taking alongside the efavirenz in your Tribuss. It’s important that your doctor knows about all of the drugs you are taking to make sure they can work well together.
I was diagnosed in 2006 October my CD4 was 500. Was having the joints problem when the Dr decided to do me a HIV test. I’ve taken all kinds of rheumotoid arthritis treatment but let me tell you it not helping me. This is my 10 month on ARVs not seeing the difference. Does this means I’m soon gonna be seating down unable to walk. On my own I am taking prednisone of which I know its risky but don’t have a choice.