Tb

[Jersey_UK]

Long story short........

Around a month back I sent the Missus down to Bumrungrad for one of their all in 16000B check ups - with her giving a verbal medical history principally about being a Junkie and having had her lungs drained twice and that she had come up clear by X-rays for TB at least twice this year - last time in June for her job.

We later got a diagnosis from Bumrugrad Hospital of TB for the Missus

She started off on Meds for suspected TB (exactly what pills I dunno, but which made her feel better) but for the last few weeks she has been on Meds for TB.....but she is not feeling any better and possibly a bit worse I am hopeful that is just because the medicine for TB does this............and that in a few weeks or so she will start to feel better.

Last week she got a live in "maid" (non-medical) to do her laundry, shopping and cooking, but mainly making sure she does not lie dying in her Apartment (she collapsed around a month ago, fortunately downstairs in a public area) - Family would be the usual folk to help out here but she is not on close terms and she is somewhat short of freinds in recent years (she moved on - they not or are dead / in jail).

Am going back down to Thailand next week for a short trip (10 days)..........whilst I appreciate that she will not be "fixed" by the time I leave it would be nice to know about her options / what forward planning should be done, particulerly if things get worse when I am back here - be good to discuss things face to face in advance so she / we know what our options are. So ideas would be appreciated.

On the agenda at the moment is a joint trip back to Bumrugrad to find out from the horses mouth that the diagnosis is 100% TB and if so whether their are any underlying causes of the TB (I am assured not, but..........)........and also nice to know how this diagnosis was arrived at, whilst I doubt he has confused a broken leg with TB it would be nice to know it is TB rather than lung cancer or TB with complications.

Today she was worried that the Maid will not be enough to care for her and that maybe a stay in Hospital will be required - but is worried about the cost of 6 months in Bumrugrad (and me a little bit too! - but I never said that!).........Maybe she was just having a bad day - sounds like an 80 a day smoker on the phone , but got me to thinking.............I want to stick with Bumrugrad Hospital as much as I can on the diagnosis & treatment side (albeit a second opinion from somewhere like BNH is not out of the question £££ wise).....but if she needs long term care that somewhere cheaper would be better - on the basis that if she "Only" needs care rather than treatment an International Private Hospital is probably a bit OTT and we would be paying for access to services we will not need.

I am thinking private Santitorium (do they have these in Thailand?) rather than Hospital - but somewhere good not only Thai 30 Baht scheme, stacked 50 to a room...........or maybe keep the "Maid" and add a private Nurse visiting daily?......but getting a good one??? and what is a good one??!!.........do Bumrugrad folk do home visits?

[solo siam]

I think the first thing you have to find out is if it is just TB, or Aids related TB, TB on itself can be treated quite well with Antbiotics etc... although it is rather a long course.

[Jersey_UK]

I think the first thing you have to find out is if it is just TB, or Aids related TB, TB on itself can be treated quite well with Antbiotics etc... although it is rather a long course.

I am aware that TB goes with AIDS quite often - but TB goes on it's own as well.........I was quite relaxed about the HIV / AIDS stuff cos' she has been tested before a few times, until I found out that the previous TB testing / X rays did not say TB.......so I do want to hear from the Horses mouth at Bumrugrad that this is not somehow the case.

[Nomad97]

I was saddened to read your story, especially as a close neighbour died last year from TB. She had been a relatively young nurse in a local hospital and had had a husband and two lovely, young children. Very sad for all who knew her. I can not answer the questions that you asked but I can point you in the direction of the following document: "TB Policy in Thailand" :

http://www.soros.org/initiatives/health/fo...nd_20061030.pdf

You may find some useful information within this document to help you find the right course of treatment for your wife. I wish your wife a full recovery from this illness - good luck.

[Maestro]

...a second opinion from somewhere like BNH is not out of the question...

Nothing against Bamrungraj, but I encourage you to get a second opinion. I believe there is a government hospital in Bangkok specialised in TB but I can’t think of its name at the moment. An examination at that hospital would give you the certainty you need, and some sound advice on the best treatment if TB is confirmed.

--

Maestro

[stevenjm]

My wife had TB and there are different strains. Most asians have a strain of TB laying dormant in their system which manifests if their immune system ever becomes compromised or of course you can catch it from somebody else.

Hiv goes hand in hand with TB and also Drug use can bring it on, especially smoking ice or yaba. You may want to check she really is EX - junky via urine test.

The TB meds are pretty harsh and vomiting in reaction to the meds is quite common. There is a very good med for the vomiting but I am not sure what its called. I think Sheryl is somewhat of a TB expert and I am sure she will give better advice soon. In most cases the TB is pretty obvious in an X-Ray as it shows up as as sort of round things and this is probably what the doctor could see in the X-ray. If X-ray does not show signs of obvious TB then other tests can be performed to check for it

BTW - I really feel for you and your wife, it broke my heart to see my wife suffering so badly and I am almost in tears thinking about it.

[Sheryl]

An Xray can strongly indicate TB but the definitive diagnosis is a positive sputum test, assume she had that (either sputum she coughed up or that they aspirated from her lungs).

Treatment of TB requires at least 6 months and patients do not usually begin to feel better until months 2-3. In the meantime, they may actually feel worse due to the side effects of the medication. However it is not usual for a patient -- especially one in whom the TB was apparently caught early -- to become weak or ill to the point of needing hospitalization unless there is something else going on, for example liver toxicity from the meds, exacerbating TB due to drug resistance, or perhaps an altogether unrelated problem.

Your wife should go back to the doctor immediately to find out why she is feeling so much worse. A few basic blood tests (blood count, liver enzymes) are probably indicated.

Regarding the AIDs issue, unless your wife authorizes it the doctors may not be able to tell you her test results as HIV test results are confidential. (I am assuming they did an HIV test; they should have given presence of TB as well as history of drug use..but she would have had to consent to the test). You might want to go ahead in the meantime and get a test yourself just to be on the safe side.

In summary -- she is unlikely to need long term care just for TB treatment, but it sounds like she may have something else or some complication going on at this time which needs to be diagnosed --- soon.

[Jersey_UK]

Cheers all for the kind words folks (and Links!).

My wife had TB and there are different strains. Most asians have a strain of TB laying dormant in their system which manifests if their immune system ever becomes compromised or of course you can catch it from somebody else. I am thinking (hoping?!) that her long time use of drugs did weaken her body (it certainly would not have improved it!) and that she then was more susceptible to catching TB from one of her patients (she was back working for a Thai NGO as an unqualified Health Care Assistant (my translation!) and amongst other things this involved visiting sick folk, including those with TB - and she has never been afraid to get close and hands on, unlike some of the Doctors............now of course she has stopped her job, which on the positive side means she is richer, cos' with a take home pay of only B2,900 and after expenses it was actually costing her money to work!).

Hiv goes hand in hand with TB and also Drug use can bring it on, especially smoking ice or yaba. You may want to check she really is EX - junky via urine test. - I had thought about this, and whilst I am 110% certain she is EX (and not purely out of blind Trust ), whilst I am in Town and doing the Hospital stuff anyway I will cross this possibilty off the list for sure

The TB meds are pretty harsh and vomiting in reaction to the meds is quite common. She has not mentioned Vomiting, more that the Meds (hopefully the Meds) seem to have knocked the sh#t out of her (my translation!). There is a very good med for the vomiting but I am not sure what its called. I think Sheryl is somewhat of a TB expert and I am sure she will give better advice soon. In most cases the TB is pretty obvious in an X-Ray as it shows up as as sort of round things and this is probably what the doctor could see in the X-ray. If X-ray does not show signs of obvious TB then other tests can be performed to check for it

BTW - I really feel for you and your wife, it broke my heart to see my wife suffering so badly and I am almost in tears thinking about it. being over here is real frustrating, on the telephone I know she is putting a bit of a brave face on things - as not much else one can do - and on the blower is not the same as in person when offering words of reassurance.............but next week??

[Jersey_UK]

Thanks Sheryl, being stuck over here (until the end of the week) is really frustrating , albeit their is little I can do actually do in Thailand apart from try and understand <deleted> is going on and what the future entails..........

An Xray can strongly indicate TB but the definitive diagnosis is a positive sputum test, assume she had that (either sputum she coughed up or that they aspirated from her lungs).........I am certain a Sputum Test has been done, but I am going to make sure from the Doctor.

Treatment of TB requires at least 6 months and patients do not usually begin to feel better until months 2-3. In the meantime, they may actually feel worse due to the side effects of the medication. This is what I am hoping..........

However it is not usual for a patient -- especially one in whom the TB was apparently caught early -- to become weak or ill to the point of needing hospitalization unless there is something else going on, for example liver toxicity from the meds, exacerbating TB due to drug resistance, or perhaps an altogether unrelated problem. Your wife should go back to the doctor immediately to find out why she is feeling so much worse. A few basic blood tests (blood count, liver enzymes) are probably indicated. The wife is under standing instructions to visit the Doctor whenever she needs to. The "why?" is what I am worried about and will be quizzing the Doctor on what he has looked for and how, and probably getting a second opinion on as well as the actual diagnosis of TB.

Regarding the AIDs issue, unless your wife authorizes it the doctors may not be able to tell you her test results as HIV test results are confidential. (I am assuming they did an HIV test; they should have given presence of TB as well as history of drug use..but she would have had to consent to the test). You might want to go ahead in the meantime and get a test yourself just to be on the safe side. She is quite happy for me to know "everything" and I / we will ensure that the Testing has been done.

In summary -- she is unlikely to need long term care just for TB treatment, but it sounds like she may have something else or some complication going on at this time which needs to be diagnosed --- soon.......yeah, I would be very happy to come back from Thailand with a solid diagnosis and a treatment plan.

[stevenjm]

I'm not sure if this is a common complication or not but my wife also developed pneunomia. Another X-ray can detect this.

[Sheryl]

"The TB meds are pretty harsh and vomiting in reaction to the meds is quite common. She has not mentioned Vomiting, more that the Meds (hopefully the Meds) seem to have knocked the sh#t out of her (my translation!).

Jersey, that is a very common response to TB meds. I have walked several close friends, relatives of friends etc through TB treatment and most of them felt that way, at least in the first few months. Things often improve around month 3 as one or more of the drugs (depending on the treatment regimen she is on) are then stopped. The important thing is to hang in there and keep taking the meds, no matter how awful they make her feel and despite the apparent lack of positive result (as mentioned, it takes months), taking heart from the fact that it is temporary and that the vast majority of people obtain a complete cure. One of the causes of drug resistant TB is people stopping meds because of the unpleasant effects.

That said, she should still see the doctor and have a blood count and blood chemistry (liver enzymes, kidney function tests etc) done to make sure that she is not experiencing any of the more serious side effects of the drugs. In particular I am concerned about anemia which is a known side effect of INH and would make her feel weak and washed out. There are things that can be done for this, so do have her see the doctor ASAP.

If her labs all come back normal then can stop worrying and just support her in toughing it out. If they show an abnormality the doctor will adjust her treatment accordingly.

Good luck.

[Jersey_UK]

"The TB meds are pretty harsh and vomiting in reaction to the meds is quite common. She has not mentioned Vomiting, more that the Meds (hopefully the Meds) seem to have knocked the sh#t out of her (my translation!).

Jersey, that is a very common response to TB meds. I have walked several close friends, relatives of friends etc through TB treatment and most of them felt that way, at least in the first few months. Things often improve around month 3 as one or more of the drugs (depending on the treatment regimen she is on) are then stopped. The important thing is to hang in there and keep taking the meds, no matter how awful they make her feel and despite the apparent lack of positive result (as mentioned, it takes months), taking heart from the fact that it is temporary and that the vast majority of people obtain a complete cure. One of the causes of drug resistant TB is people stopping meds because of the unpleasant effects.

That said, she should still see the doctor and have a blood count and blood chemistry (liver enzymes, kidney function tests etc) done to make sure that she is not experiencing any of the more serious side effects of the drugs. In particular I am concerned about anemia which is a known side effect of INH and would make her feel weak and washed out. There are things that can be done for this, so do have her see the doctor ASAP.

If her labs all come back normal then can stop worrying and just support her in toughing it out. If they show an abnormality the doctor will adjust her treatment accordingly.

Good luck.

For me it is kinda frustrating when a story stops half way, so a bit of an update.........as usual nothing straightforward (or clear cut)........

I got back to BKK on Saturday, she was already booked in to see the Doctor again (at Bumugrad) on the Monday.....using my extensive medical training (Holby City and ER ) I diagnosed her as: "not a well bunny" .

She stayed mainly in the Hotel (it was a toss up between the usual BKK Hotel vs her 1 roomed Apartment - but room service won, plus it meant she did not have to "worry" about looking after me) and spent most of her time sleeping or at least trying to (apart from Soap TV hour ).......did not eat much, and mainly from room service (not great food I will admit) but I also did food runs for her.

Sometimes she sounded like an 80 a day smoker, especially when sleeping and she tossed and turned in bed, whereas other times she was still and 100% silent........and I had to lean close over her to see she was still breathing.....at 3am she was not always asleep, so would then open her eyes - would have been scarey if I had not been quite so relieved.......

Monday came and into a taxi for Bumrugrad (my first time, very smart!) and not too much of wait for the Doctor, showed us her X rays......I ain't a Doctor, but even to me one of her lungs did not look very good and after chatting a bit about her past, the fact that she was 100% not very well, it was no great surprise that the Doctor said he wanted a Biopsy (??) done on her Lymph node. Come back Tomorow. I did not at that time ask too many questions, as we both knew that he was not looking to see if she had bunions and in any case we had time to ask further questions once they had the results. Some bridges are best left to be crossed only until one has to........

"have time"........of course once again I was wrong

Tuesday we hit Bumrugrad again, we both thought it would be under a General, but was only under a Local Anaesthetic - but nonetheless, I still got the experiance of sitting outside the Hospital smoking like a chimney whilst looking at her wedding ring on my small finger and wondering what the future would bring.........

Come back for the results on Thursday.

Tuesday night / Wednesday morning (1 am) I got a call from Jersey, Brother in Intensive care.......prognosis was - "if you were 10 minutes away now would still be a good time to come and visit him"...........<deleted>??? he was right as rain 5 days before........on the one hand I have a Missus who is very sick, and I (and she) figured was about to get some very sh#tty news in the next few days........and on the other hand I have a Brother in ICU not looking good..........no "Good" choice to be made.........but I decided to head home - the Missus understood, but still looked for reassurance that I was not also abandoning her (particularly given the medical bills I had paid and was about to).........a truly horrible feeling leaving her.

Travel plans never went badly wrong - just enuf to always make me late........in any event when I touched down in Jersey I was 4 hours too late , as signified by my Father waiting for me at the Airport.

43 years of age, no smoking, no drinking, fit and never been or wanted to visit Thailand

Anyway, it is what it is...........

For the Missus Thursday comes..........the answer as far as she is able to communicate to me is cancer, and they want to do another operation (under a General) to see how extensive.........this is the sort of stuff I wanted to be in Thailand for, apart from the moral / emotional / practical support - to get this sort of info from the Doctor direct and be able to ask questions.

Over the next few days we discussed quite a few things on the telephone and made some vague plans - but agreed I would stay in Jersey until the results of the next operation so we would be able to decide when I / we / she would do.

Last week she got the results "only TB"......I never thought I would be so happy she had TB .........but she is not totally beleiving the Doctor that nothing else is wrong and nor am I........would be nice to know from the horses mouth exactly what the thinking was with the Biopsy and follow up Op - I am conscious that Private Medicine is also a business, but at the moment I am assuming their is info I do not know............

She is back to the Doctor early next week, for another months supply of TB meds and a check up and she wants them to start to check her over for everything from A to Z.....to "make sure".......my thinking is see what Bumrugrad come up with (I am quite happy to pay for anything).......and then afterwards go and get a 2nd (and or 3rd?) opinion at somewhere like Bangkok Nursing Home or somewhere Private Thai.

My return to Thailand?? with the Cancer stuff it would have been next week for however long was needed, but now?......mmmmm - in an ideal world next week, but it is not an ideal world and instead difficult choices have to be made.....so I am staying here for the moment........but plans can be revised......

Anyway, am not online so much at the moment so may not be anything further from me for a few days or so.

[Sheryl]

My God Jersey, you have really been through the wringer! So sorry to hear about your brother.

It is certainly possible for TB to infiltrate the lymph nodes and present on Xray in such a way as to mimic the appearance of cancer, and a negative biopsy, assuming it was properly done, pretty much rules that out. However I can well understand the need you and she feel to be 100% sure.

If I were you I'd take the Xrays and biopsy report (which by law theh ospital has to give you on rerquest) to another doctor for a second opinion as to whether or not cancer has been adequately ruled out. It [robably has, but this is not something to take chances on plus it is well worth the cost of another consultation for the peace of mind it may bring.

See a pulmonologist with expertise in both TB and lung cancer. Altho in theory you can get a second opinion within the same hospital, in practice the second doc will likely feel more comfortable and better able to speak frankly if he's not on staff there so suggest she go to another hospital.

Assuming the second opinion backs up the first and she's happy enough with her current doctor she can then go back to him for the rest of her treatment, and you'll both rest easier at night.

[seonai]

Hey Jersey, I am suffering from extensive TB right now, almost dying actually, so please chat to me about it. I have experienced so much loss of breathing, disability in walking and stigma about TB. In Thailand people sort of understood it but didn't have the expertise to manage it, in UK they have the expertise but don't understand it ... I am already on over a years treatment and looking at a further year... TB treatment is not straight forward. See Seonai's World at www.tbsurvivalproject.com

[Dakhar]

The important thing is to hang in there and keep taking the meds, no matter how awful they make her feel and despite the apparent lack of positive result (as mentioned, it takes months), taking heart from the fact that it is temporary and that the vast majority of people obtain a complete cure. One of the causes of drug resistant TB is people stopping meds because of the unpleasant effects.

I think an very important point should be addressed.

Those drugs can cause liver damage, liver failure, death....

One should not just take those drugs and try to trudge through it like it is just part of the process. Granted to a degree one should "hang in there" but only with constant monitoring of liver function etc.

Don't just pop the pills and "hang in there."

Edited October 28, 2007 by Dakhar

[Jersey_UK]

Managed to get to the PC today...........

See a pulmonologist with expertise in both TB and lung cancer.

Anyone have any ideas? Docs Name and Hospital in Thailand, preferably from direct experiance - and ideally someone who can communicate in English (for my benefit) - but knowing their onions is more important.

Altho in theory you can get a second opinion within the same hospital, in practice the second doc will likely feel more comfortable and better able to speak frankly if he's not on staff there so suggest she go to another hospital.

This would be my gut instinct as well - different hospital.........not to say I have any reason at the moment to want to move away from Bumrugrad (I appreciate that their probably are other hospitals / Doctors who can provide the same treatment at a cheaper cost, but the cost is quite manageable for me and she knows her way to / around Bumrugrad plus I think she beleives it is good, which I feel at the moment is also important for her).

Assuming the second opinion backs up the first and she's happy enough with her current doctor she can then go back to him for the rest of her treatment, and you'll both rest easier at night.

I would like to get the 2nd opinion (for the reasons you state) and then revert to Bumrugrad for the Treatment, I am guessing that this would be quite acceptable and not cause some afront / loss of face to the Doctor which may later impact on her?

think an very important point should be addressed. Those drugs can cause liver damage, liver failure, death....One should not just take those drugs and try to trudge through it like it is just part of the process. Granted to a degree one should "hang in there" but only with constant monitoring of liver function etc. Don't just pop the pills and "hang in there."

From my reading so far, I realise that TB meds are powerful stuff and not without side effects - and as I said previously I never got / took the chance to quiz the Doctor face to face about exactly what tests he had done (and what the results meant), what may be an idea to do and what her treatment and monitoring program would consist of going forward. On the 31st we should be a bit clearer, but in any case I think a good idea if I get on the Telephone to him and ask / clarify direct......which I have not done due to me assuming that until recently the Doc would just be saying "we are trying to find out".......

All things being equal and it is "only" TB (apologies to those with TB - but last week I would have been happy to take Crazy Chicken flu), I / we are still thinking of some sort of Sanitorium style care for the next 6 months (or longer), more for the predictable routine (at present she does not always know who is looking after her and when) and I think also important her having more people around her in a similar boat / always something going on as she is feeling kinda isolated even though someone is always with her 24/7.

Of course not impossible that I get off my backside and back to Thailand even if for only a week to 10 days, but timing wise I would choose not to do so before Xmas (but after then an extended visit for a few months or so) - unfortunately the practical does have to be considered even at times like these and it ain't always possible to be where one wants to be . and yeah, I do feel bad about leaving her "alone", even with certain family members and freinds (and a "maid" ) rallying around / getting paid to be with her 24/7, and with access to good medical treatment.......and despite me perhaps not being able to add much on the practical side, it is still where I would want to be out of pure choice........

[Mossfinn]

think an very important point should be addressed. Those drugs can cause liver damage, liver failure, death....One should not just take those drugs and try to trudge through it like it is just part of the process. Granted to a degree one should "hang in there" but only with constant monitoring of liver function etc. Don't just pop the pills and "hang in there."

From my reading so far, I realise that TB meds are powerful stuff and not without side effects

Yes they are powerful and can cause side effects, I am not sure how it works in Thailand but in the UK you would get regulat Blood tests.

All things being equal and it is "only" TB

I used to take issue with this statement, but I guess in your position right now, you have just about got it right.

and I think also important her having more people around her in a similar boat / always something going on as she is feeling kinda isolated

Not sure if I agree with this Jersey, the last thing she needs, is to be surrounded by others, particularly if they are not responding to treatment, to see others perhaps going down hill, is not an option I would choose.

TB is extraordinarily debilitating and people of not such strong character can believe that they are going from crisis to crisis and have one other illness after another, but this is a choice you will have to make.

. and yeah, I do feel bad about leaving her "alone", even with certain family members and freinds (and a "maid" )

You were caught between a rock and a hard place, I wouldn't have wanted to make the decision, you made the decision, there is no real need to beat yourself up over it.

Jersey, I wish you luck, you have had a particularly bad time of it lately, but if it is ONLY TB and on the proviso it is not drug resistant , she will make a recovery, although quite possibly not a complete and full one.

It is a dreadful thing to have, but on diagnosis it can be treated, but it is a long recovery road.

Seanoi has said you can speak to her or if you prefer, PM me and I will try and help as best as I can.

I can't quite remember the outcome of your visa trials and tribulations, but wonder if you can get her back to the UK, once the initial infectious period is over, from memory 3/4 weeks after starting the TB drugs.

Good Luck

Moss

Edited October 29, 2007 by Mossfinn

[Jersey_UK]

On the 31st we should be a bit clearer

Famous last words ........Doc kept her in, now 2nd night (B5,600 a night) "Skin Yellow" and "have water inside" (I think water retention as she looks fat but is down to 37 Kilos (under 6 stone) - ok, her fighting weight (literally back in her day ) was around the Mid 40's, but still, 6 stone is not great .......I believe the Doc has taken her off the TB meds, but she is not entirely clear at the moment about events apart from "pay already 50,000B for something".....today she needed to pay over another B20k (for which their were Fun and games getting a translation of her Cousin's name into English for Western Union for this, and a chunk more "just in case" - her being a respectable Infant school teacher meant she did not have her name off pat in English already (like da Missus ).........and 3 guesses who spelt the name wrong ........it all takes time to sort out.....I should have tried the Credit card route at the outset, last thing I want to do is add money worries for her at the moment - but hindsight is wonderful (or a bit of foresight?!).

I reckon turning yellow sounds like Jaundice which I vaguely recall is liver related, so even if not actual jaundice it sounds like she has some liver problems............E-bay??

I have gotta get a hold of her Doctor in Thailand (today also involved Dead Brother discussions at the Mortuary in Jersey - still not sure why: "heart stopped" - I had figured that bit out myself - maybe another 6 weeks.......).......time slipped away today, but I figure whether I know exactly <deleted> is going on or not she is in the best place, in any event I reckon now is not the time to be going off for 2nd opinions - she needs treatment and I just have to trust in that she is in the right hands........

Not sure why I am posting bits and bobs as I go along - Do I feel better posting this? a bit. but not a lot..........."what does not kill ya, makes yer stronger".............

Visa? .........that has dissapeared way off the radar screen at the moment.........I maybe could have got her back (or at least tried for a SV earlier this year.........but their is "always time"......and a later SV application would have been better - mainly from my end)..........but I am kicking myself.

I should have got a 18 year old with low mileage

[Jersey_UK]

Now in ICU.

B#llocks.

I spoke to the Hospital they say suspected Pneumonia (Sputum test results awaited back) - she is on Oxygen, can speak on the mobile (I didn't know she was in ICU hooked up to Oxygen when I rang this am)........but not coherent (in English) or strong enuf to speak much.

At the moment trying to find out how much more money the hospital needs / where to send it........

If only I was a drinking man............

[Sheryl]

Jersey,

This sounds quite serious.

The "yellow"is indeed jaundice which would indicate liver toxicity from the TB meds, which means they will have had to either stop or change them. If they had to stop them altogether then the prognosis is not too good.

If I were in Thailand I'd go check on her but unfortunately I'm in Cambodia now and for the next two weeks. perhaps some other TV members living in or near bangkok would be willing to offer? (especially, biut not only, those with some medical knowledge)?

[seonai]

When I got pneumonia on top of TB I thought I was going to die - it's awful, totally floors you. I was treated with IV Augmentin (a high dose) and within 4 days I was feeling much better.

Sheryl is best for medical advice Jersey and call/text me if you just need to talk about it okay

[girlx]

how do you get TB? besides via HIV i guess... the reason i ask is i seem to remember reading it is pretty common in thailand?!

[Richard W]

how do you get TB? besides via HIV i guess... the reason i ask is i seem to remember reading it is pretty common in thailand?!

To quote Wikipedia:

When people suffering from active pulmonary TB cough, sneeze, speak, kiss, or spit, they expel infectious aerosol droplets 0.5 to 5 µm in diameter. A single sneeze, for instance, can release up to 40,000 droplets. People with prolonged, frequent, or intense contact are at highest risk of becoming infected, with an estimated 22% infection rate. A person with active but untreated tuberculosis can infect 10–15 other people per year. Others at risk include people in areas where TB is common, people who inject illicit drugs (especially when sharing needles), residents and employees of high-risk congregate settings, medically under-served and low-income populations, high-risk racial or ethnic minority populations, children exposed to adults in high-risk categories, patients immunocompromised by conditions such as HIV/AIDS, people who take immunosuppressant drugs, and health care workers serving these high-risk clients.

Jersey UK's wife's anti-drug work may well have effectively put her in the last of these categories.

[Dakhar]

The important thing is to hang in there and keep taking the meds, no matter how awful they make her feel and despite the apparent lack of positive result (as mentioned, it takes months), taking heart from the fact that it is temporary and that the vast majority of people obtain a complete cure. One of the causes of drug resistant TB is people stopping meds because of the unpleasant effects.

I think an very important point should be addressed.

Those drugs can cause liver damage, liver failure, death....

One should not just take those drugs and try to trudge through it like it is just part of the process. Granted to a degree one should "hang in there" but only with constant monitoring of liver function etc.

Don't just pop the pills and "hang in there."

liver damage, liver failure, death.... & death ultimatley occured. I found the above advice to be shocking, and that is why I posted my retort.

While performing a green card physical my wife tested positive for TB. She is and was asymptomatic but they put her on TB meds. I watched her like a hawk, and I did not just let her "hang in there." I took her to the doctor many times and finally I told the doctor that she only has one liver, and I wanted her off of the meds. That was 7 years a go, she is healthier than I am and always has been. We have to be advocates of our own health becasue doctors and the lot only give their patient's 5 minutes, and it is to the next one.

May the OP's wife Rest In Peace.

[seonai]

Closed as the OPs wife died and there is a new thread on that in this forum. My deepest sympathies Jersey