Has anyone had the strange pubic fat pad symptom? experiencing that and gyno

[Guest guest]

As well as a recent diagnosis of Gynecomastia due to Sustiva, I believe I am getting another wonderful new odd symptom, "Pubic fat pad" I noticed this the other day when I was at the doc appoint for the gynecomastia but forgot to mention it. Its slightly lumpy spongy area right above the genitals on both sides. Its not that noticeable but I can see it and definitely I can feel it. It does feel like the lumps I felt in my pecs that originally got me to go to the doc in the first place (where she told me I had gynecomastia) Low body fat here so its not regular weight gain.

Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this, and what has your doctor done/said? I am hoping when the doc finds something that will reduce the gynecomastia it will also fix this problem.

I did recently read Sustiva increases "Ethinyl Estradiol" which I think is basically like the chemical in birth control pills. This is likely what's causing my problems. Now to get my doc to find something to fix it. Strangely my hormones all test normal, but I am assuming they did not test for levels of the above chemical/hormone. The doctor does not want me to go off Sustiva....AlIt's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.

[Guest guest]

In my experience, many doctors focus almost exclusively on the numbers and are very slow to recognize side effects like lipoatrophy, or any other side effect that is not life endangering. They often fail to understand the terrible psychological consequences such side effects can have.There many new drugs available, and it is hard to believe that there aren't any that could replace the Sustiva without sacrificing the goal of staying undetectable and that do not have the side effect of gynecomastia.I don't know the details of your particular situation, and I may be way off base in this suggestion. I would strongly push your doctor to get you off the Sustiva. If necessary, get a second opinion and/or a new doctor who is more sensitive to your concerns.Best of luck,AllanOn Sep 1, 2008, at 6:16 PM, Roscoeismydog@... wrote:....  I did recently read Sustiva increases "Ethinyl Estradiol" which I think is basically like the chemical in birth control pills. This is likely what's causing my problems. Now to get my doc to find something to fix it. Strangely my hormones all test normal, but I am assuming they did not test for levels of the above chemical/hormone.   The doctor does not want me to go off Sustiva....Al

[Guest guest]

This has been reported before - I included something from the Lipodystrophy

Worskshop in 2004 which was when I first heard of it, but I've also seen it

since.

A more detailed report of a published study is at this link:

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/recent/2007/051507_a.html

As efavirenz has been linked to gynaecomastia for many years (though other

drugs have also been linked, nd as with most symptoms of lipodystrophy many

other factors could be involved). The following case reports may be useful in

discussion with your doctor about switching from efavirenz.

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118800405/abstract?CRETRY=1 & SRETRY=0

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14959701

http://www.aidsonline.com/pt/re/aids/fulltext.00002030-200107270-00018.htm;jsess\

ionid=L9wXQhQn5QqJYvg90LkLylNJLWyp9CTZKyGl5m76f5nwqGTnWbH5!353761397!181195628!8\

091!-1

http://www.aegis.org/conferences/iashivpt/2001/529.html

Even without knowing your treatment history, I'm sure you must have an

alternative ARV to at least try. The chance this may resolve on it's own from

the last study link is also worth considering and may help you decide what

length of time is reasonable to wait before looking at other options.

Simon

On Tuesday, September 02, 2008, at 02:16AM, <Roscoeismydog@...> wrote:

>As well as a recent diagnosis of Gynecomastia due to Sustiva, I believe I am

>getting another wonderful new odd symptom, " Pubic fat pad " I noticed this the

> other day when I was at the doc appoint for the gynecomastia but forgot to

>mention it. Its slightly lumpy spongy area right above the genitals on both

>sides. Its not that noticeable but I can see it and definitely I can feel it.

>It does feel like the lumps I felt in my pecs that originally got me to go to

>the doc in the first place (where she told me I had gynecomastia) Low body

>fat here so its not regular weight gain.

> Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this, and what has your

>doctor done/said? I am hoping when the doc finds something that will reduce

the

>gynecomastia it will also fix this problem.

> I did recently read Sustiva increases " Ethinyl Estradiol " which I think is

>basically like the chemical in birth control pills. This is likely what's

>causing my problems. Now to get my doc to find something to fix it. Strangely

>my hormones all test normal, but I am assuming they did not test for levels of

>the above chemical/hormone. The doctor does not want me to go off

>Sustiva....Al

>

>

>

>**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

>deal here.

>(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

>

[Guest guest]

This has been

reported before over the last few year - I included something from the

Lipodystrophy Worskshop in 2004 which was when I first heard of it,

but I've also seen it since.

A more detailed report of a published study is at this link:

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/recent/2007/051507_a.html

As efavirenz has

been linked to gynaecomastia for many years (though other drugs

have also been linked, nd as with most symptoms of lipodystrophy many

other factors could be involved). The following case reports may

be useful in discussion with your doctor about switching from

efavirenz:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118800405/abstract?CRETRY=1 & SRETRY=0

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14959701

http://www.aidsonline.com/pt/re/aids/fulltext.00002030-200107270-00018.htm;jsessionid=L9wXQhQn5QqJYvg90LkLylNJLWyp9CTZKyGl5m76f5nwqGTnWbH5!353761397!181195628!8091!-1

http://www.aegis.org/conferences/iashivpt/2001/529.html

Even without knowing your treatment history, I'm sure you must have an

alternative ARV to at least try. The chance this may resolve on it's

own from the last study link is also worth considering and may help

you decide what length of time is reasonable to wait before looking at

other options.

Simon

As well as a recent diagnosis of Gynecomastia due to

Sustiva, I believe I am getting another wonderful new odd symptom,

" Pubic fat pad " I noticed this the other day when I was at

the doc appoint for the gynecomastia but forgot to mention it. Its

slightly lumpy spongy area right above the genitals on both sides. Its

not that noticeable but I can see it and definitely I can feel it. It

does feel like the lumps I felt in my pecs that originally got me to

go to the doc in the first place (where she told me I had

gynecomastia) Low body fat here so its not regular weight

gain.

Just wondering if anyone else is

experiencing this, and what has your doctor done/said? I am hoping

when the doc finds something that will reduce the gynecomastia it will

also fix this problem.

I did recently read Sustiva increases

" Ethinyl Estradiol " which I think is basically like the

chemical in birth control pills. This is likely what's causing my

problems. Now to get my doc to find something to fix it. Strangely my

hormones all test normal, but I am assuming they did not

test for levels of the above chemical/hormone. The

doctor does not want me to go off Sustiva....Al

--

Simon

HIV i-Base

http://www.i-Base.info

[Guest guest]

I have experienced this same fat accumulation in the last two years

and have been somewhat distressed by it. One day I looked in the

mirror and noticed I had small rolls of fat at the tops of my thighs

that resembled my mother at her heaviest. I was dismayed.... we

expect to turn into our fathers, but not into our MOTHERS!!

After checking out the website listed below (tho the link to a larger

photo to verify we're talking about the same area has been removed), I

have to say I feel quite a bit better. The fact that this body change

is meds related, leaves me more hopeful than if it were solely genetic

and hereditary.

I can at least hope that at some point changing from Atripla

(containing Sustiva), should produce some positive results, or at the

worst (and most expensive) case, this is such a small area that if I

really felt I needed it, the cost of liposuction should be less than

for the belly.

As I said, this was first noticed over 2 years ago and I am otherwise

healthy, active and only slightly overweight (10 pounds from optimum

for my height/age), with the greatest accumulation of fat being visceral.

Reading thru the posted links on this subject (the ones that would

open) in other responses, I found no reference to this being a

time-sensitive, self-correcting side effect. Did I miss something?

Doug

>

> A more detailed report of a published study is at this link:

> http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/recent/2007/051507_a.html

>