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Sean, I wonder if this is another sign of the issues of irregular fat metabolism found by Dr. Guy Paiement in 2000 when he reported the issues with PI's and avascular necrosis - necessitating hip replacements. He observed enlarged fat deposits around the femoral head, which he thought interrupted blood flow and nutrient delivery to the bone, causing it to decay and crumble. The drug companies tried to discredit him as this news could have destroyed their cash cow meds. Google his name and P.I.'s
Hey Sean, I am a 50 y/o HIV pos woman who has been taking Viread for more than 10 years now. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis of the spine with a T-score of -2.5 which is way to low for a person my age. I currently have alot of lumbar & thoracic pain with degenerative discs. I believe there must be some connection with bone demineralazation & Viread. When I tried to find more info, there is hardly any available. Currently I am taking Ca 1200mg, Vit D3 2000mg, Vit K2 45 mcg (which is responsible for putting the Ca into the bones) and just had a first dose of Fosamax (which I really do not want to be taking). Thank u for writing this article so I know I'm not alone!
Sean, thank you for this very informative blog. I've been on Viread in the past, then a switch to Truvada when it was first approved, and now on Atripla. I haven't broken any bones, yet... I'll be scheduling a bone density test ASAP. My mom, 78 years old, was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. We compare notes often pertaining to our respective health issues, I being HIV-pos & suffer with osteoarthritis, and tearing ligaments in my shoulder & knees, I wonder what HIV Meds are really doing to my body. I am only 48 years old, but honestly feel much, much older. You've given me more food for thought. Thank you.
Thanks for this informative and timely piece. I've been taking Viread for about 9 years and was diagnosed last year with osteopenia and osteoporosis of the lower lumbar. I am a 53 year old man. Fosamax was recommended but it caused reflux. I'm taking vitamin D and calcium, consulting my doctor about switching to another drug. My next bone density test is scheduled for next year so we'll see. I have a lot of lower back stiffness and often pain I think is due to my muscles compensating for bone loss. It certainly seems that you have hit on something.
I slipped into ditched a fractured my ankle then slipped on the ice broke my wrist. The doctors said that I have osteopenia but does not relate it to Truvada. First fracture was in 2004 and the wrist was in 2009. I'n 48years old and said I have the bones of old women.
A little over a year ago i fell and dislocated and broke my shoulder, after going to the orthopedic several times and him telling me my shoulder was healed i asked my hiv doc about it because it didnt feel right. Instantly she ordered a bone density test and sure enough i had lost a lot of bone. Now this gets stranger cause i then moved recently and was trying to get some medicine for the bones to strengthen, i had tried fosamax for a couple months but it kept making my throat swell so had asked this new doctor for some different medicine. Of course moving out of state i had to get another bone density done and this one said my bones were better than the other test said like it was very mild. I dont know how i didnt do anything different, and she did say for the short time i took the fosamax it wouldnt have made that much of a difference. The first test said i was as brittle as a 90 year old lady now im almost back to normal whats up with that is there another test i should have done? i took viread a long long time ago, now im on truvada and viramune. Ive been poz 16 yrs i know my bones have not improved believe me i feel em every day. lol
Hey Sean, I am sorry that your stumble had such terrible consequences. Thank you for sharing the side effect information and the results of your friends' bone density tests as well as your own findings. Truvada is one of my three meds, and I'll be sure to stay on top of this "invisible" threat. Let me know if you need a summer nurse maid.
FTMguy
I am a transman, 50, and HIV-. I started taking Truvada in December 2017 for PrEP. I started having plantar fasciitis problems, probably related to my job as a nurse, with one spot on my left heel becoming particularly bothersome. The plantar fasciitis got worse, as did the painful spot, and bilateral foot x-rays at my podiatrist's office revealed a stress fracture on my left heel earlier this month. I also have bilateral knee pain and swelling, and bilateral wrist pain. I stopped PrEP on 6/10.
June 24, 2018 • Tacoma, WA