14 Days on Atripla, Throat Driving Me Crazy, Am I Alone?

[KTW1414]

I have HIV (8 years +, last CD4: 357 & VL: 55,200) and I started Atripla 14 days ago. I’ve had many of the side effects that people complain about, most of them relatively mild. I’m still hoping they will go away. However, I have a pesky problem that I haven’t heard about or read about elsewhere:

I have the constant feeling of phlegm stuck in my throat that makes it feel like I can’t swallow well. It’s not in my sinuses, only in my throat. My throat also feels a little tight. I’ve tried gargling, OTC cold medicine with pseudoephedrine, drinking more water and green tea, and NAC. Nothing seems to help. It’s driving me crazy – like I have something stuck in my throat day and night. When I do manage to spit some of the phlegm out, it’s whitish in color. Am I crazy or has this happened to anyone else? And is there anything I can (safely) take for it?

Thank you in advance for any experiences or information you can share.

[Billy B]

Hello KTW,
I see that this is your first post here so welcome to the forum. I hate that any of us are members but there are a lot of nice people here with good information.

As for your throat, I have not read about the problem that you are experiencing. Do you think that it could be seasonal allergies?

I do know that when you first start meds your body starts to heal and all sorts of events can occur. I had a problem with my sinuses that drove me nuts but that cleared up after a month and I can really breath now.

Peace,
Billy

[Hellraiser]

I actually had this problem BEFORE I took the meds.  If I had to hazard a guess I would say swollen lymph nodes played a part in it.  Can you feel the lymph nodes in your neck sticking out?  But yes it felt like there was perpetually something in my throat.  My throat wasn't sore and I could still swallow fine but it constantly felt something was there.  It went away at some point on its own, I honestly can't remember it diminishing, but I was like that for probably 4 months?

[J.R.E.]

I have the constant feeling of phlegm stuck in my throat that makes it feel like I can’t swallow well.

 It’s driving me crazy – like I have something stuck in my throat day and night. When I do manage to spit some of the phlegm out, it’s whitish in color.
Thank you in advance for any experiences or information you can share.

Hello And welcome,...

Has you doctor looked in your mouth, for signs of thrush or candida in the throat.

You should bring it to his attention.  Anytime someone suggests a swallowing problem, or "something" stuck in the throat feeling,  It reminds me everytime of when I went through esophageal candida, back in 2003.



I am not saying that this is what you may be experiencing, but it's worth a visit to the doctor , to take a close look in your mouth and throat. If it is thrush a prescription of Diflucan can get rid of that.

You may want to avoid the mouth washes that have alcohol in them.  This has a tendency to dry the mouth and throat out even more. you can purchase mouth washes without alcohol.


Keep us updated---Ray

[J.R.E.]

I wanted to add this also,  If the doctor suspects some sort of infection, he can do a mouth/throat swab, to get some answers.


Ray

[KTW1414]

Wow, everybody, thanks for the responses.

I live and work in a country in which I do not feel comfortable disclosing my HIV status ('cause they'd kick me out!) so I have to go to a neighboring country for treatment. I have chosen this time to start because it seemed right looking at my numbers but also because I have a bit more free time to deal with side effects and changing meds if necessary this year and next. Still, my next appointment with my doctor is scheduled for two weeks from now (and the plane tickets and hotel booked). I really can't afford to change plans right now unless something gets REALLY serious. I wrote to him, but he hasn't answered yet.

I also wrote to The Body, but you guys were the first to get back to me. Again, thanks. I'll let you know what I find out, maybe go and see a local doc and just ask if I have an infection (without talking HIV+).

I still think I've done the right thing, but, man, this is hard! Since I was never really sick, the side effects have at times been a lot worse than anything I ever experienced pre-treatment. But they're manageable except this throat thing.

[Ann]

maybe go and see a local doc and just ask if I have an infection (without talking HIV+).

That's a good plan. It is very possibly something that can be fixed with some antibiotics. While it's normally a good idea to let any doctor treating you know that you're poz, in this case it isn't strictly necessary. Better to get your throat sorted out than continue to suffer. Good luck!

[Billy B]

Dr. Henry at body.com answered:  "Sometimes dysphagia (trouble swallowing) can be due to a neurologic effect of efavirenz that may improve after2-4 weeks on the medication". 
Billy

[Rafaelmagura]

I had the same issue when I first started altripila, it would go away and come back just keep your oral health up to date and brush and fossil normal and keep hydrated drink lot of water , also speak to your doctor about this issue see whats his point of view on this. my sore thoart left like 3 - 4 months after starting it also stay away from very sugary drink that seems to make it worst =(.