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← Return to Starting Arikayce - nervous
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Hi, I have been on Rifampin and Azithromycin for 22 months with some nausea and diarrea but tolerable. I start also with Ethambutol but after 8months had to get off due to eye problems. Two months later my Dr put me on Arikayce which I took for 8 months but had to get off because of terrible coughing and light headedness. These symptoms don't happen to everyone on Arikayce, we are all different. I can say they have a wonderful support team and are there for you to call. The person that came to my house to show me the process was wonderful and called me periodically to check on me plus you will get a sponsor who in my case was great. Good luck
Replies to "Hi, I have been on Rifampin and Azithromycin for 22 months with some nausea and diarrea..."
Laura, I was the same by month 5, stopped at 4 1/2 months. Still have dizziness effects from the Amikacin iv and inhaled Arikayce years later. -Rick
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I was advised by someone with a PhD in pharmaceutics and a specialty in drug delivery when taking arikayce to gargle with plain water after treatment, and then I coated my throat in honey (a full teaspoon). This has helped me to not have the terrible sore throat, though I don't know it would work for everyone. My doctor also prescribed two puffs of albuterol 15 minutes before the treatment to open the airways and help prevent coughing. Someone else on the site explained that adding sterile saline to the amikaycin dosage also helps the throat. Gargling to remove the amikaycin from the throat after treatment has been helping me. I'm going on only week 4, though. But the lightheadedness is a serious matter. I'm sorry it didn't work for you, but I think the company could do a better job of informing people ahead of how to keep symptoms at bay. I hope you are doing better soon.
Mokie