How do you guys stay positive?

[LadyAndromeda]

I was just diagnosed with TB just a week ago and I feel awful. Not physically but mentally. A doctor called me and said I need to go to the hospital right away. The problem is, it was in the middle of the night, the hospital they want me to come into is approx. 45 km away! When we asked if it was urgent, the doctor told me, in this exact words that I am infectious and a danger to the community. I mean, yeah I understand that, but the way he said it gave me bad anxiety. His tone was exasperated, He didn't even explain what will happen to me if I go to the hospital, not even what was happening that warranted this sudden hospital admission! We weren't able to go because we had no car and the weather was too dangerous, so we agreed with the doctor that we will go tomorrow morning. He said someone will call but no one did! We were on the edge for two days because even if we called his office, they keep saying that we should just wait!

Anyway, currently, my family has bought me different plates, cup, cutlery and cleaning sponge. Different everything. And I really feel blue. I get it really. I understand that I'm infectious, I'm a danger. I should take precautions so I wouldn't infect other people. I'm really willing to do it and I am doing it. But because of this, I just feel isolated and I have a great urge to go somewhere, live like a hermit until I finish the treatments. It has gotten to the point where I am no longer enjoying activities I usually love because I keep worrying that I will infect people. It has also gotten to the point where I go "oh-god-my-nephew-just-coughed-what-if-i-infected-him?!'

Don't worry, I'll be getting my treatment tomorrow, but I just can't help it. How do you stay positive? Maybe it's my anxiety talking but how do you motivate yourself in situations like this? I don't know what I should do and I'm really scared.

[Soul01]

TB is caught through inhaling droplets in the air and isn’t caught from plates, cutlery, etc. Try to keep air flowing by having windows/doors open. It isn’t always practical to stay away from people!

People are usually considered infection free or low risk after 2-3 weeks on the medication.

No one caught it from me and it took 5 months from first being ill until diagnosis.

I felt paranoid at first but you soon get into a rhythm of taking medication and getting on with it.

Reach out to the support organisation in your country. They can probably find you a peer support person.

The diagnosis comes as a shock, it all seems frightening and you can’t imagine how you’ll get through it - but you do!!

[hottchoc]

Hello ladyandromeda. To be honest with you, those early days are the worst because you have to get your head around the whole thing. However, your doctor was out of order speaking to you like that, he is not in the profession to make you feel worse, he is supposed to help you. But first some facts. 1. You cannot spread TB through kissing, sharing plates cups or spoons 2. TB is spread through coughing small droplets from the inside of your lung, so always cough inside you top. 3. You get time off work! All of us on here knows exactly what your going through, so you can always discuss your worries with us. Treatment is long, but it needs to be because the bacteria die slowly. Get your friends and family checked, and good luck!

[aivas14]

Hi, I really wish you all the strength, I agree that psychological effects of this disease can be more

I personally had to spend 6 months in the hospital, were only allowed to go home during the weekends, so I know how isolation can break you and take away all the positivity.

But thing is, it all ends. For me the support of my family and friends was the best thing I had. Talking with people, even online, also helped a lot.

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi LadyAndromeda,

What an awful and upsetting experience - and when you were no doubt already feeling pretty awful. I'm sorry to say that people - even doctors - do still overreact to TB. But remember, all you did was be unfortunate enough to breathe in the bacteria. - it could have happened to anyone.

Though there is a risk that you have passed TB to others, take heart from the fact that most healthy adults can clear any TB bacteria they breathe in without ever knowing - so it is realtively difficult to catch. Also, anyone you have been in contact with will be offered a test if necessary so that any TB can be found and treated early.

Wishing you all the best in your treatment and recovery,

Helen

[Alien41]

Although the early days are worse ive been left with severe anxiety and depression. I was convinced at one point i had caused my dads death (he had copd and my active tb had caused my mam and youngest daughter to have latent tb, both were living with my dad) i couldnt return home when i left hospital for these reasons and found the 10months post hospital treatment very isolating. I also had difficulty understanding how and where i caught it as i had bcg in school and yet the strain i caught was antibiotic resistant, it does get better but i dont think il ever be as i was before the tb.