POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: Imnew2this on October 21, 2008, 10:42:06 pm
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I was wondering if anyone else has developed TMJ dysfunction (google it if you don't know) after starting on Atripla. I've never had TMJ symptoms in the past, but since being on treatment for over six weeks now, I've had ongoing problems with jaw pain and dysfunction. Not severe, just bothersome. I am a healthcare provider myself and have studied as much literature as possible on each drug component, but haven't seen any reports of TMJ in any trials, etc. I'm wondering if its more related to the dreams and stress, rather than the meds. I'm just curious to see if anyone has experienced this. If so, a report should be filed to Gilead and BMS as adverse reactions. This is sometimes required with newer drugs.
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I know I am late on this one...but I have recently been diagnosed with TMJ. I have been on Atripla for a year now. I don't know if the two are related but I never had TMJ before. It sucks too. It hurts bad. Anyone else having problems with TMJ?
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I was wondering if anyone else has developed TMJ dysfunction (google it if you don't know) after starting on Atripla.
I have never been on Atripla, so I can't comment on that. But I was diagnosed with TMJ, many years ago, long before starting on HIV meds, but it was also after being diagnosed positive on 1985. I can remember very well how painful it was !! It mostly affected my right side of my jaw, and it would shoot right up into my ear. I had to be very careful of what I ate, and how I chewed my food. No jawbreakers for me !! It could trigger very easily. Some days the pain was totally unbearable. Heating pad, Ice packs, you name it I tried it. I can't remember what I was prescribed for it back then. It wasn't a constant problem, only periodic. I also remember the popping and snapping sounds coming from my jaw.
The good thing is that after I started on HIV medication, in 2003, I haven't had any more problems with it. Go figure !
I hope you get some answers. Good luck. TMJ sucks big time!
Ray
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I have been on Atripla for less than a year and have started having the clicking sore jaws. I asked my Hiv Doctor about it but She said i need to talk to My VA Doctor about it. Am going to find a mouth guard to wear. A zanex seems to help it relax.
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Gulp, Just started Atripla (as my first meds) about a week and a half ago. Some side effects, but nothing going on with my jaw yet. Sounds interesting, hopefully time will tell of anything different with Atripla, as it is one of the newer meds on the market.
Hope all goes well with you all, and your TMJ can be taken care of.
Bruce
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Funny, I had forgotten that I posted this back in October, but was just scanned some postings tonight and saw the responses. My TMJ did get better in a few weeks, but again in the last week it has flared up again. Like some others, I have no history of it prior to starting Atripla. I'm going to discuss it with my doc next week and will report back if she has any insight.
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It is perhaps worth noting that grinding your teeth when asleep on efavirenz seems to be a thing that happens to some people. My ex did it every night when he was on this drug.
- matt
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Thanks Matt am going to find me a mouth guard for sleeping. Bobby
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Wonder if the original poster has any more news. I am just starting week 3 of Atripla and the jaw/sinus thing just wont leave me alone. I probably do have TMJ but it does not bother me at night, it kills about 12 hours after taking Atripla until I go to bed. It is December so I find it hard to believe something outside has it in for me....
I am not grinding my teeth at night. The other side effects are small compared to this. I mentioned it to my doc's office and they said they did not think it is related. I do! I am bound and determined to for Atripla to work, so I am going to put up with it for two more weeks hoping things work out. Just wondering if your bouts of jaw pain finally went away or what you wound up doing.
Thanks
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I know I'm digging up an old post.. but this is sort of my problem too. No other side effects really from Atripla.. but the right side of my jaw is sore 24/7 (especially when I first wake up). It hurts like hell to yawn, opening my mouth to take a bite of food is painful. I'm going to ask my doctor about it on Thursday but I was surprised this post is the only thing I found when I googled it.
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Very true for me as well. I'm at work and decided to search for why my jaw hurts. I've been Atripla since Nov 2009. Every morning I'm in soooo much pain. It goes away and gets a little easier. But I still can't chew properly or move my mouth they way I normally could. It was very alarming. But I have NO other side effects from taking the Atripla. And I love that. It's so damn easy to take. But these past few weeks (about 4 now) my jaw is in a lot of pain. Ughhhh. What to do?
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I talked to my Doctor about it and he said it sounds like TMJ (I swear I didn't say "TMJ" to him). He said it does because I said the pain is the sharpest right where the hole of my ear is. He told me to take aspirin. That's it. I didn't do it though.. Its gotten better for me though. I'm not in much pain from it and it doesn't hurt to yawn or eat. Its definitely still there though.. I can feel it every time I move my jaw, but at least the pain isn't terrible anymore.
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What is TMJ :
http://www.essortment.com/all/whatistmj_rgfs.htm
Ray
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I switched from Atripla to another regiment a month or two ago. Within 3 days of stopping Atripla my TMJ went back to its' normal self. So in my book at least, Atripla does exacerbate TMJ.