Question
What can I do about darkening of the skin and thinning of the limbs and face?
3 April 2009. Related: All topics, Side effects.
I am on Truvada and nevirapine for HIV, I am also on a preventetive antibiotic Septrin, because my CD4 count is below 200 (i.e 156). I was dignosed with TB but have since finished treatment for TB. My problem is that since I started treatment I developed changes in my body that might be noticed by those who knew me before. Changes include darkening of skin, especially face, thinning of face, arms and legs. Are these changes due to the medication I am taking? If yes, what can be done with the problem? Thank very much and keep on doing the good job you are doing for us.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Darkening of the skin may be a result of low levels of vitamin D. I have replied to a similar question here. Hope you find the answer useful too.
As for the thinning of the face, legs, etc, this may be a condition called lipodystrophy. There is a very detailed information about it here.
Please note that taking the ARVs is still very important, as your CD4 count is still low. Your doctor may decide to make changes after you talk to him/her. It is important, however, that you do not interrupt or change medicines on your own.
Hi Vincent,
If you’re feeling unwell you’ll need to discuss this with your doctor. They should be able to advise you.
Hi, I was diagnosed with HIV on the 24th of January. I went to the clinic and tested negative for TB and started TB preventative medication as well as ARV. But recently I have started coughing, sweating and even noticed chest pains and a swollen lymph on my right armpit. Although I do not have other symptoms of TB, I have stopped sweating and I am on the preventative pill I am starting to get scared because the coughing doesn’t go away. Can it happen that in my case, I have TB?
Hi Patimo,
If you’d like to get in touch with me directly, then please do. You can contact me on questions@i-base.org.uk
Hello
Ive recently found out six days ago that im hiv possitive..
Iv lost weight and my face is darkening…
I was asked if have ive been coughing..
I said no!
but now i have a painfull hard blister i dont know if its blister or wat but its very painful and feels hard…
what could it be?
Tomorrow im going to the clinic again
i guess ill be given ARV’s..
i dont know…
my status is still sinking in and im thinking too much…
Hi Zandile,
Are you HIV positive? If you are what are you taking? How long have you been on them for?
Hi,
Its a month now since i’ve been taking my TB treatment and I am experiencing joint pains now, my face, hands and toes are becoming dark. I want to know about the skin color and the joints also, they are worrying me as I can’t do anything can’t move the whole body is sore.
Hi Kedibone, please talk to your doctor about all these problems. They might be not be linked to HIV meds – or you could maybe use a different combination.
I am also on treatment and my skin turned brown I was light in complexion can I take vitamin D supplements, the other changes is that my joints are painful I struggle to walk in the morning n my fingers seem swollen,I started the treatment before I became I’ll but now m sick after taking treatment
Hi Ankit,
What meds are you taking? How long have you been taking them for? Could you tell me a bit more about the changes in your skin.
My face sometimes turn yellow sometime turns black and my heart and brain become tight