Question
Can ARV treatment cause aching feet?
7 June 2011. Related: All topics, Side effects.
Answer
Yes, a side effect called peripheral neuropathy can cause aching feet, numbness and also pain.
Please see this link for more details.
It is caused mainly by two drugs:
- d4t (stavudine)
- ddI (didanosine)
If you are taking either of these drugs, speak to your doctor about changing them for alternatives. Do not stop the drugs though until you speak to your doctor.
Sometimes a lower dose of d4T can be used, but it is better to change to a completely different drug.
Hello Jeanette and thanks for getting in touch.
First of all, we are not doctors.
We are community activists: people living with HIV and people who advocate for people living with HIV.
When it comes to your treatment: the treatment your doctor is suggesting is protective to the kidneys.
If your doctor thought your kidneys were being stressed by your ARVs is right to be changing the treatment.
The new treatment is not so different to the one you were taking : only one of the three medication involved is changing.
You can try the new medication and decide if it has any side effects
Your doctor is giving you good advice though.
Let us know how it goes.
hello Dr, am taking TLD last year I experienced kidney infection and they changed my treatment to Gagol, is it advisable to take it? am afraid of the side effects since I have read about it searching for side effects
Hello Monica and thanks for getting in touch.
I am very sorry to hear you are having side effects.
What has your doctor said about this?
Headache is more common side effect and passes after a few months.
You can use paracetamol (maximum 4 doses per day) and see if that helps at all.
Body pains are quite uncommon.
All ARV side effects should disappear within a few months but if any persist you should discuss them with your doctor as they might need to do some extra tests and decide future actions.
I am taking gagol and I have headache and pain body.what should I do please help
Hello Chris and many thanks for getting in touch.
TLD is considered a better combination with improved efficacy and less side effects so I understand the choice of the clinic.
However, if this is the effect on you, it’s understandable you are not happy with the switch.
Please speak to your doctor again as this needs to be monitored better.
Your doctor should do a general check up to see how your blood tests are before making any decisions.
They should be checking your cholesterol and blood sugar levels, vitamin levels.
They should also review previous ARVs you have been on as they might have caused the symptoms you are experiencing now.
In the meantime I would suggest keeping a diary with the side effects you are experiencing, the time you take your medication and the food you eat, any alcohol you drink, etc.
If you are able it might be worth monitoring your blood pressure too and limit the amount of salt and processed food you eat.
I am sending you the link to our healthy eating guide, to understand better what food will help you feel better.
https://i-base.info/guides/side/diet-a-balanced-diet-and-your-health
Please keep in touch and let us know how you are feeling
May you please help I’ve been in Trubuss for 3 years but after my clinic changed me to TLD I started having aching feet especially my ankles. May please explain why TLD’s have such complications because I never have any complications when in Tribuss. When I report this to my public clinic they say nothing can be done because TLD’s cannot be changed. Please help my feet hurt but are not swollen.