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Side effects of Arikayce
I've been taking the "3" antibiotics, Azithromycin, Rifampin and Ethambutol for about six weeks now with few side effects. Now I'm supposed to begin Arikayce via an inhaler, but when I read that a serious and common side effect is the worsening of COPD I was stunned. I was hospitalized twice last summer with COPD exacerbations. It's in my medical records both at National Jewish
and Beth Israel yet both Infectious Disease doctors okayed this drug for my use. I wonder what others have experienced with this drug.
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My doctor wants me to start taking Arikayce. But I'm not so sure ? I am a severe asthmatic with COPD emphysema.im still young sorta ? And do not have money to pay for it have been on the 3 antibiotics since January and the body aches and cramping is already bugging me . Not ready for more symptoms.
Hi there. I was prescribed Amikacin via nebuliser and had to stop after about 4 weeks because I developed terrible laryngitis and completely lost my voice. This would probably be bearable except I’m a lawyer who needs to be able to speak. The Amikacin preparation I was given was in fact the IV preparation diluted with saline and then nebulised. Had it been the liposomal preparation which is specifically for use in a nebuliser, it may well have been less harsh on my vocal cords.
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1 Reaction@helenkiwi62 from what I have read and been told the same with the Arikayce. Causes hoarseness. Ughh I start today will see how it goes . Prayers to you
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2 Reactions@kasper1 I had the issue with inhaled Tobramycin some years ago. My crusty, old pulmonologist wasn't very helpful, but his nurse was a gem. Her advice to me - "Don't wait until your throat is sore, or you lose your voice. From Day 1, gargle with salt water after your neb, and use soothing lozenges every day." This got me through 2 rounds with some hoarseness, but I didn't lose my voice.
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1 Reaction@sueinmn
Do you have any recommendations for lozenges? Thanks.
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1 ReactionInteresting - I had just grabbed on of my go-to lozenges when I read this - I prefer Sootheez, as they do not contain Xylitol or other sugar alcohols, which my body does not like. When I cannot find them, I use Ricola Throat Balm lozenges.
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1 Reaction@sueinmn
Thank you! I will look for them.
I have been on the 3 antibiotics since January. Muscle aches , body aches and cramping. Just started the Arikayce on Thursday. Am having coughing during, dry cough after feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest . But feel better by the next afternoon then time to take another treatment. Today my voice is really horse and I am exhausted. My question is will this get better or worse?? I'm ready to not do these treatments. Because I have to work and cannot be sounding like I'm sick and feel awful and be exhausted.
Well I stopped the Arikayce. Lost my voice and affected my breathing. Feel like I just took 10 steps backwards. Struggling to breathe and walk again .
I took Arikayce daily for 8 months. I had hoarseness in varying degrees. At one point it got so bad I stopped for about a week and then restarted slowly, gradually increasing the time over about a month. At one point, as the hoarseness started to return, I backed off the time and then slowly increased, eventually getting back to the full 15 minute dose. I also pre-treated by taking honey, as recommeded by my Dr. This seemed to help.
I also developed a cough during the treatment. The good news is when I completed the treatment the cough quickly disappeared.
As many people say, everyone is different and reacts different and sometimes you have to make judgements based on how you feel while continuing to take guidance from your Dr.