Hi everyone,
I've finally decided (with my RA specialist) to start biologics and have just today started TB antibiotics for 6 months, as I tested positive for latent TB. Does anyone have anything to share regarding their experience with these antibiotics? I am taking Isoniazida. My specialist plans to start me on Adalimumab once I have been taking this antibiotic for around 6 weeks, Has this been your experience?
Thanks in advance 
Because I have had TB I always test positive for latent TB. So I had to take isoniazid and rifampin for 6 months before starting on biologics.
I found them truly horrid! ( sorry!) I spent the 6 months feeling sick, throwing up and generally feeling rubbish. To start with I was also taking MTX, sulpha and hydroxy as well as these antibiotics. And then after 6 weeks or so added in Enbrel and slowly tapered off sulpha and Hydroxy. My poor liver coped marvellously!
So my experience is that it was not a pleasant period in my life, but it has been worth it as the biologic was a game changer.
Courage!
.
Hi and thank you so much for your reply. May I ask if you took the antibiotics for 6 months before actually starting the biologics? My specialist plans to start me on the biologics after I've been taking the antibiotics for a month and a half. That surprised me a little.
I started maybe 7 or 8 weeks in once bloods showed I was coping ok.
Ah OK, thank you
Ooh this is so good, your liver been able to cope with all this meds!!
I started Isoniazid 11 days ago for Latent TB. But my ID specialist put me on only 6 months Isoniazid.
Did you take 2 TB meds for 6 months at the same time -Rifampicin and Isoniazid? I'm sure that would more effective for making sure it is gone.
I also have latent TB and I once tried this antibiotic plus another. I can't remember it's name. Unfortunately for me I had a bad reaction and had to stop. Then again I'm intolerant to quite a few meds. I have the special blood test yearly and last one showed my marker so low on the scale it barely recognised it.. I'm on Benipali that I inject weekly and this is the lowest biological for non activating latent TB. This drug has achieved my RA into remission. I'm limited for an alternative I could have. I'd say go with your course then you can have a far better choice if needs be.
Thank you for posting this as I am going through something similar & waiting to go onto antibiotics for latent TB. I am due to start etanercept, but the blood tests showed latent TB. I will meet with a consultant in a couple of weeks to discuss treatment. I'm interested to see what responses you have.
As I had emotional side effects on both of those antibiotics which was pretty bad I came off them within weeks. However two of the TB latent blood tests showed so low it didn't register. I then started Etanacrpt (Benipali) and I've been fine. Been on it for 20 months. I have a yearly chest x-ray. Etanacrpt has been the first medication to achieve RA remission and the safest with LTB.
Yes those antibiotics are grim! I wasn’t given the option to stop sadly.
I had no physical side effect but it gave me ugly self harm thoughts. Possibly rare but nonetheless a side effect . One mention of it to my Dr told to stop immediately.
Did the side effects start quite quickly in your case? I am only taking Isoniazid and this one contains vitamin B6 to help with side effects. Only 5 days in but no nausea so far...
I don’t really remember but I never expect side-effects so I just remember being surprised! Hopefully you’ll be fine.
This is amasing outcome !!
What dosage you are on Jackie?
I may need to go on this medication too post TB treatment-if I can tolerated TB treatment for latent TB. I am so looking forward to a immunosuppressant treatment with my Sjogren'sLupus.
Thanks in advance
Sorry I'm late in replying to you as I seemed to missed your post. As it was a while back I can't remember what the dosages were. I've been happily on Etanacrpt injections for 2 years now which apparently is one of the safest drugs for latent TB. It's been good in that in 18 years of RA the only drug that has put the RA into remission.
Hello,
I am in a very similar situation as you. I am seeking feedback about Rifampin, Isoniazid or other TB meds please. I need to make a decision soon, I tend to have a bit of a drug sensitivity, wondering which of these medications are more tolerable ?
Thanks in advance !
Hi, I have only 3 weeks left of a 12 week block on Rifinah (Rifampicin / Isoniazid combination), and pyridoxine too (vitamin supplement - not sure without looking back at notes what it's for, think maybe to help with side effects). Unfortunately i can't be totally positive about it, I can't wait for the 3 weeks to finish. I have had good days, but also quite a few bad days too, with a lot of sickness at the start and occassionaly afterwards. It can't all be blamed on the rifinah though. Because paracetamol isn't advised with this drug combination, i was given codeine to deal with any RA pain / headaches etc. But unfortunately codeine doesn't agree with me either as gives me nausea / sickness too. Eventually was changed to ibuprofen which is much better. Also i have been having quite a bit of heartburn trouble, but i think this is that the rifinah combined with omeprazole don't agree with each other. When i spoke to the consultant, he gave me two options of taking the above combination for 3 months, or 1 type for 6 months, so there are different options available. Also this is only my experience, it could work great for you (hopefully).
Hello,
Thanks so much for your reply and sharing your experience, provides some insights into treatment which is very daunting.
So great you are almost there!
I'm offered Isoniazid 6 months 
Best wishes !
Best wishes to you too & good luck.
Hi there manzana, I started, Isoniazid/Rifampin a 3 month course for latent TB this June, ended up in hospital 9 days later with a flaire so bad couldn't lift myself out of bed, my liver function was rising also. Long story short had to stop TB treatment at 10 weeks (they said it was enough to kill the latent TB) and my liver function went from 14 to 260 had to stop painkillers, and my Adalimumab. I felt so poorly, I've had weekly bloods now for 9 weeks, and my liver function is nearly back in range, I'm back on my biologic so all turning out well. But I must say I hated every minute I was on the tb treatment, That was me tho, so please don't think you will be the same, we are all different, just be aware!you no your body, and if things don't feel right ring your tb nurse they are brilliant. Take care.
so pleased for your outcome. I'm right at the start and fell so fearful!
Thank you for sharing. Sorry to hear that you went through this. I am in Spain, no RA nurse and definitely no TB nurse! Specialist never tells me what to expect. Alone except for this website.
Hello Manzana?
Hope you are well.
Have you finished your Latent TB treatment? I am in my second week of Isoniazid and once finish this treatment I will need to go on immunosupredsant tretament for Sjogren's.
How are coping with Isoniazid?
Rosegardens
Antibiotics 
TB Blood Screening Test
Antibiotics!
Latent TB
Tocilizumab and Antibiotics.
