Almost a month ago I coughed blood once a day for four straight days (I had no sickness whatsoever the day before, but afterwards I had persistent cough for 2 weeks. There are signs of infections on the CT Scan. I had night sweats for a few days, loss of appetite once, and I get tired quickly. However I got clear xray twice (1 month apart), tested negative on 2 sputums and negative PPD skin test.
I am now waiting for a quantiFERON blood test result but my doctor already ruled that it's most probably be TB and already gave me prescriptions. I had only minimal cough for the past 5 days or so, and I already started taking the anti-TB meds for a couple of days.
Doctor said based on my condition and my CBC blood tests, pneumonia is unlikely and I most probably have TB even though I had negative sputum and skin tests and got clear xray (some opacities in ct scan).
Just want to ask if this is really likely and possible that I have negative tests? Thank you so much.
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Yes I think this is possible but I don’t understand why he doesn’t wait for the result of the Quantiferon test. If that is positive then it shows you’ve been exposed to TB but won’t tell you if it is latent or active. When will you get that result?
It's probably because he wanted me to start the medications already if ever it was tb (as I was waiting for quite a while already, 3 weeks). It's okay for me because I read that it's safe to take the meds and also I couldn't really find any other illness that matches my symptoms.
Is there a specialist TB nurse you can contact at your hospital for a second opinion? Starting medicines before there is any proof does not make sense. Get more advice from another specialist quickly. Let us know how you get on
Actually, I have consulted two pulmonologists already. The first one still don't have a diagnosis (after 3 weeks since the cough of blood, thank God my immune system fought back). The 2nd one is the one who gave me the prescriptions and the suggestion for the quantiFERON test (I'll be getting this result day after tomorrow, 4 days after the blood extraction)
So have you actually started them? I’m not sure what to say, but taking TB drugs are not to be messed with. Personally I would not start them until I had proof, and stay away from people until you get a definite diagnosis.
Thanks for you reply. I forgot to say I am waiting for the sputum culture as well (I managed to give 2 samples but not a lot amount of mucus) but it can take a long time so it's not really wise to wait for it while the sickness gets worse (weighing the risks).
I guess the doctors really do this based on their experience and educated judgement. And they said here in my location, it's the most probable cause. But yes it is a very confusing and stressful time for me.
I feel you. Don't worry - if it's really tb, the fact that your x-ray is clean probably means that it's in the early stages, so healing should be quick and you'll soon forget about it.
TB is not prevalent here in the UK and I am told that only certain doctors here since the 1960ties know about the technicalities of Tuberculosis. It looks as though your doctors are far more used to seeing tuberculosis in your area/country and therefore know more than most of the doctors in the UK. They are so experience with TB that they know when to prescribe 'empirically' the antibiotics before TB does irreparable harm. Harm that does not reveal itself until harm is done. There are people who have died here in the UK from TB but the 'carers' did not know that patient had TB and therefore did not receive any treatment whatsoever ! Food for thought ?
It is also documented that Tuberculosis ,due to it's insidious nature may not be isolated at all when tests are carried out but I see the newer PCR ( polymerase chain reaction) test on material gained through biopsy can detect TB and other organisms that other tests do not confirm. Even that test is not apparently 100% proof.............
Because TB has been around over 5000 years is it any wonder it is a very difficult bacteria to nail?
Although I myself have a good resistance to TB it has not always been 100%. The times I knew something was 'wrong' no doctors were able to say what was wrong. I have a strong suspicion that if I had been given 'the antibiotics' in 1990 when I was 50 I would not have been told in 2016 that I was past the 'cut off' limit to be able to take 'the antibiotics'. As things went a month on Ciprofloxacin got me right but I'm told many individuals have tendons that are detached in their ankles due to Cipro.
If a person is young enough to take the prescribed special TB antibiotics then I would be 100% for that. Best wishes to you & I hope your prescribing doctor continues his professionalism.
I am glad that you got some support through this forum whilst you waited for your test results, it must have been a worrying time. Though it is obviously upsetting to be diagnosed with TB it is at least good that you now know the cause of your symptoms and are already on treatment.
In fact, it is not uncommon for TB treatment to be started as soon as the doctor is convinced of a TB diagnosis - even before conclusive test results. This is because the treatment quickly stops TB causing any further damage, which helps ensure your longterm recovery from the illness.
Good luck with your treatment - we are here for you all the way.
I've been taking the meds for more than a week now, and I can feel that I don't get tired as quick as before. I also don't cough as often but as soon as I get tired, the cough comes back (although not as strong and persistent as before).
Do you know how long before I will have a feeling of "no symptoms" at all?
I can't say for sure, though people usually feel a lot better in the first two to three weeks. However, the longer you had symptoms before you started treatment the longer it may take to recover as the TB has had more time to cause damage. The important thing is that you will feel better eventually and the treatment is very effective if taken correctly.
The same case here. I want to ask if what are the names of the medicine are you guiz taking for your ilness too? What time should I drink my medicine and foods that I should eat.. Can I drink milk while on medication? Or what food supplement or vitamins should I take to help prevent the damage of my other organ. I just started taking my meds this week so I don't have any idea about it yet. Tha m you so much for this group.
Hi, the generic names of the medicine are the ones below. In my case they are combined in one tablet. Although I take 3 tablets, once a day.
Isoniazid.
Rifampin
Ethambutol
Pyrazinamide
I read somewhere in the internet and also in the box of my meds that it is best to take with an empty stomach, 2hrs after meal and 1 hr before the next one.
I drink milk and I take multivitamins and vitamin b complex. I find that hot lemonade with honey also is a good relief for my coughing. Also, drink lots of water.
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