Tuberculosis (TB) Support Group
Tuberculosis (commonly abbreviated to TB) is an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system (meningitis), lymphatic system, circulatory system (Miliary tuberculosis), genitourinary system, bones and joints. Join many others in sharing your experiences to...
My wife has had an op to remove a wedge of lunge with a small 11mm node. It was found to be benign.
The hospital came back a week later and said my wife had TB and would have to go through a course of 6mths tablets
.{ 6x Rifater, 3x Ethambutol, 1x Pyridoxinne, 30mins before meals and 3x Meetoclopramide one a day, Also Paracetomol and an antihistamine when required, ) She is an asthma sufferer and uses spinhalers.and has had an ulcer in the past.
She started the course and week one was ok but she gags when taking tablets so took over an hour to take them all.
On week two she lost her appetite and has over three weeks only eaten barely anything. She has had 5/6 glasses of water. She has felt nauseous and tired with headaches. We have tried ginger buscuits and tea.On week three she has been physically sick with mainly just bile as she has not eaten. She is very,very depressed and almost suicidal.
Blood tests have come back for the liver ok. Both myself and son who are close have tested negative and the specialist has stated that they are not sure that it is even TB as no secure test is available. I am surprised at this.
My question mainly is: Are there things we can do to alleviate the side effects as I am at my wits end. No one seems to know anything or be able to help us from the hospital , They just say it gets better after two weeks but its not ,its worse and I fear for my wife`s mental state and health. She is 67 by the way.
Any advice would help me . Thx.
The hospital came back a week later and said my wife had TB and would have to go through a course of 6mths tablets
.{ 6x Rifater, 3x Ethambutol, 1x Pyridoxinne, 30mins before meals and 3x Meetoclopramide one a day, Also Paracetomol and an antihistamine when required, ) She is an asthma sufferer and uses spinhalers.and has had an ulcer in the past.
She started the course and week one was ok but she gags when taking tablets so took over an hour to take them all.
On week two she lost her appetite and has over three weeks only eaten barely anything. She has had 5/6 glasses of water. She has felt nauseous and tired with headaches. We have tried ginger buscuits and tea.On week three she has been physically sick with mainly just bile as she has not eaten. She is very,very depressed and almost suicidal.
Blood tests have come back for the liver ok. Both myself and son who are close have tested negative and the specialist has stated that they are not sure that it is even TB as no secure test is available. I am surprised at this.
My question mainly is: Are there things we can do to alleviate the side effects as I am at my wits end. No one seems to know anything or be able to help us from the hospital , They just say it gets better after two weeks but its not ,its worse and I fear for my wife`s mental state and health. She is 67 by the way.
Any advice would help me . Thx.
Doctors prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause it. You’ll need to take them for 6 to 9 months. What medications you take and how long you’ll have to take them depends on which works to eradicate your TB. Sometimes, antibiotics used to treat the disease don’t work. Doctors call this "drug-resistant" TB. If you have this form of the disease, you may need to take stronger medications for longer.
Treatment for Latent TB
There are two types of TB -- latent and active.
Depending on your risk factors, latent TB can re-activate and cause an active infection. That’s why your doctor might prescribe medication to kill the inactive bacteria -- just in case.
Isoniazid (INH): This is the most common therapy for latent TB. You typically take an isoniazid antibiotic pill daily for 9 months.
Rifampin : You take this antibiotic each day for 4 months. It’s an option if you have side effects or contraindications to INH.
Isoniazid and rifapentine: You take both of these antibiotics once a week for 3 months under your doctor’s supervision.
Treatment for Active TB
If you have this form of the disease, you’ll need to take a number of antibiotics for 6 to 9 months. These four medications are most commonly used to treat it:
Ethambutol
Isoniazid
Pyrazinamide
Rifampin
Your doctor may order a test that shows which antibiotics will kill the TB strain. Based on the results, you’ll take three or four medications for 2 months. Afterward, you’ll take two medications for 4 to 7 months.
You’ll probably start to feel better after a few weeks of treatment. But only a doctor can tell you if you’re still contagious. If you’re not, you may be able to go back to your daily routine.
Treatment for Drug-Resistant TB
If you have a TB strain that doesn’t respond to certain medications, you’ll need to see a TB specialist.