Question about T.B

[Welshcookie 17]

OK...I am feeling a little shell-shocked right now but am interested to know if anyone has experience of this treatment.

As some of you know I about to marry my USC bloke who is in the military and living here with me in the UK. Before we get married I have had to go thro a load of tests (very much the same as the medical needed for immigration...HIV, STDs etc)before 'permission' is granted for him to marry me, which have been carried out on his base by US doctors.

Anyho....I have tested postive for TB. I personally was not shocked when I started to react because here in the UK we get immunised against TB as kids...I actually expected to get a positive reaction.

The doctor on base has put me forward for treatment because the immunisation was well over 10 yrs ago...more like 28....and the size of the reaction site indicates I have been exposed more recently to TB.

From what he told me the course of treatment is a daily tablet for 9 months, monthly liver checks and no drinking alcohol for that whole time

Has anyone been thro this treatment? I am concerned about the whole affect on my liver thing I have to go back for chest x rays and more blood tests next week.

[46]

My wife tested positive for TB when immigrating to Canada due to immunization. She had to take Cipro for six months.

She found it a little rough starting and ending the treatment, but otherwise the abstention from alcohol and pills were mild irritants.

[*Robert* 2]

So sorry to hear about this welshie... did they do a chest x-ray on you? I've heard about the treatment, because one of my best friends daughters tested positive. As for your liver... cutting out the alcohol will certianly give it a break!

Hope everything turns out well!

[Welshcookie 17]

I am booked in for a chest x ray next week....yeh....the alcohol thing sucks big time....y''know how I like a glass of vino or two...

[Cygnet 0]

I am booked in for a chest x ray next week....yeh....the alcohol thing sucks big time....y''know how I like a glass of vino or two...

I understand. Sorry to hear you have to get this treatment.

[*Robert* 2]

I am booked in for a chest x ray next week....yeh....the alcohol thing sucks big time....y''know how I like a glass of vino or two...

I didn't know that!!!

Hope your x-rays come back negative. That's the important thing right now.

[Nicola&Matthew 0]

I watched my Grandad die of TB about 6 months ago, it is not a pleasant death and by the end of it he was so weak and frail. Our family were totally shocked that he had TB, aparantly he must have been in direct contact with someone when he was younger who had TB. He had this virus in him all of his life and then it decided to become active and he was too old to fight it off.

Take the pills and don't worry about the lack of alchol, your health is a priority. Best you know now when you can do something preventative about it rather than later.

The thing that really bugs me is they are only vaccinating "at risk" kids now in the UK with TB, where as when I was a kid it was mandatory. With TB on the increase in the UK I am so worried about the kids now in the future.... Damn cost cutting government

[Welshcookie 17]

I watched my Grandad die of TB about 6 months ago, it is not a pleasant death and by the end of it he was so weak and frail. Our family were totally shocked that he had TB, aparantly he must have been in direct contact with someone when he was younger who had TB. He had this virus in him all of his life and then it decided to become active and he was too old to fight it off.

so sorry about your grandad This was pretty much the scenario the doctor gave me today...I might continue to be symptomless for years and then it may become active. He also said if I went to my own GP tomorrow he would be almost 100% certain the GP would not put me on the course of treatment

I guess I will take the pills and monthly liver checks and dry out. He said he would wait till after the wedding and honeymoon tho

Thanks for the input ppl

[Ban Hammer 14,271]

I watched my Grandad die of TB about 6 months ago, it is not a pleasant death and by the end of it he was so weak and frail. Our family were totally shocked that he had TB, aparantly he must have been in direct contact with someone when he was younger who had TB. He had this virus in him all of his life and then it decided to become active and he was too old to fight it off.

so sorry about your grandad This was pretty much the scenario the doctor gave me today...I might continue to be symptomless for years and then it may become active. He also said if I went to my own GP tomorrow he would be almost 100% certain the GP would not put me on the course of treatment

I guess I will take the pills and monthly liver checks and dry out. He said he would wait till after the wedding and honeymoon tho

Thanks for the input ppl

i'll do my part and remove all the alcohol from welshie's place, so she won't be tempted

[Meliss 0]

Did you say Cipro? Antibiotic? (if I'm correct) if it is....note- no milk products during the actual taking og the pill and for 2 hours before or after- it counter acts it- aswell any form of antibiotic taken will render birth control pills ineffective. Yup. totally ineffective. Look out. Good luck with the treatment- you'll be fine.

[Nikita2Charles 33]

Be careful before you start treatment, Most people who took the TB vaccination as a child will have a False Positive response, The Doctor will send you for a CHEST X-RAY to verify that you don't have it, nothing to worry about it's quite common.

[jesskhan 0]

My husband had the same problem when he came here on his K-3, and we found out when he did his medical. We did the chest xray right away to find out if there was any damage to his lungs or any sign in his lungs , and he was fine , chest xray was clear. He was also vaccinated as a child , and at first we thought that might be why his tb test was positive, but there is always the chance that he could have been exposed at some other time. So .. he went ahead and took the treatment , but it was 4 months , not 9. I think the drug he had to take was called Rifampin, although not sure if that is correct. My lawyer advised him not to take it , she said that she had all kinds of clients that were vaccinated as children and therefore had positive tb skin tests and most of them did not take the medicine. However the meds were free here at the health dept and we thought it best to be safe rather than sorry later. As long as your healthy, not a smoker or heavy drinker, I do not think that you should any problems with the meds. I would go ahead and get the chest xray done , that will give you more of an idea of what ur dealing with and what treatment is really needed. Good luck with whatever u decide to do .

[*Robert* 2]

[...] He said he would wait till after the wedding and honeymoon tho

Thanks for the input ppl

Glad you can still celebrate your wedding!

[46]

Did you say Cipro? Antibiotic? (if I'm correct) if it is....note- no milk products during the actual taking og the pill and for 2 hours before or after- it counter acts it- aswell any form of antibiotic taken will render birth control pills ineffective. Yup. totally ineffective. Look out. Good luck with the treatment- you'll be fine.

This is incorrect. Cipro does not interfere with birth control pills in any way. Only some classes of antibiotics do.

There are many possible chemoprophylaxis treatments for TB. I'm sure your doctor will be able to inform you on the specifics of your prescription.

[Boiler 47,470]

My Mum, who is Welsh had it, just after the war. Spent a year in a Sanatorium.

There was a scare where I worked, we were all tested.

I had no comment from the X Ray for US Immigration, perhaps they would know what was normal and only look for an abnormal response.