Early Symptoms of HIV-Related Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy, a condition that leads to severe numbness and pain, is caused by damage done to the peripheral nervous system. It often afflicts HIV patients and can result from certain medications, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes or even HIV infection itself.
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Frequency of Peripheral Neuropathy in HIV Patients
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Peripheral neuropathy affects more than one third of all HIV patients at some point in their infection.
First Symptoms of Neuropathy
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Neuropathy is generally felt at first as a tingly numb feeling in the legs and feet, similar to what would be felt if the legs or feet had fallen asleep.
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Drug-Related Neuropathy
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Many anti-HIV drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy, as can some antibiotics used by HIV-infected individuals. If the neuropathy is drug-related, symptoms will usually not present themselves until the patient has been taking the drugs for weeks or even months. It should be noted that neuropathy will not afflict everyone who takes anti-HIV medications.
Pain and Neuropathy
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As HIV-related neuropathy continues to develop, the numbness felt in the legs and feet will become more intense and will start to develop into pain. Numbness and pain may also develop in the arms and hands.
Treating HIV-Related Neuropathy
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There is no proven treatment available for HIV-related neuropathy, though certain anti-seizure medications have proven effective for diabetic neuropathy and may be prescribed by a doctor. Some alternative health treatments such as acupuncture have also shown some effectiveness.
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