Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.My daughter has been living with HIV for about fifteen years. She was dignosed when she was pregnant, put on ATZ, and after birth a very strong regimen of drugs. I would like to know if this disease or these drugs effect the brain? Also, do you have any info on the fat displacement on her back and breasts?
You're asking a couple of complicated questions, and it would be helpful to know what is happening with your daughter right now that brings them to your mind. There are broad answers about HIV disease and its' treatment, and narrow answers about any particular case, and these answers can be different.
HIV disease can affect the brain. Back in the bad old days, before highly active drugs against HIV, problems with thinking and awareness were noted, and called "AIDS related dementia." The incidence of this has decreased markedly with our modern drugs, but it still is a concern. Some of the HIV drugs don't get into the brain very well, and neurological complications remain a worry.
One drug, Sustiva, can cause some sleep disturbance, dizziness, and wild dreams, in a small but significant number of patients who take it.
As for the fat redistribution, it's a complicated problem, and most likely related to drug therapy, especially Zerit. It's terrible for all, but I think especially distressing for women. Many changes that men don't mind, muscle definition and prominent veins, are really unpleasant for women. Once it exists, it's hard to deal with. There are some procedures for fixing the face, but the body changes are quite frustrating, diet and exercise are of some, limited help.
It's very important to pay attention to cholesterol and triglycerides. These can be quite elevated, and require treatment to reduce the risk of heart disease.
I hope these general, short answers are helpful to you.
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