Anyone have cavitation in their lung?

[TheTBRT]

Hi all, I'm new here. I am on month six of treatment with INH/rifampin. My chest xray has showed a cavitation in my right lung since September of 21 (diagnosed). MY most recent xray doesn't mention any worsening, or improvement, of the cavitation. Has anyone seen any resolution in their cavity? I also have a new onset of stringy blood tinged sputum. I thought it may be allergies from coughing however my pulmonologist seems to think it is coming from the cavity. Has anyone else experienced this before? It leaves me feeling anxious and unsure if the treatment is working...

I hope I am able to help answer some questions while i'm here and connect with others going through the same thing.

[Jack70]

I to was diagnosed with cavities from atypical tb infection in sept 21. I had blood in the green sputum now and again, it has take till now to clear the green mucus from my lungs. Consultant says infection marker’s in my bloods have returned to normal levels but I have to wait for next CTscan to see if cavities have started to close. I have cavities in each lung the size of squash balls.I to was unsure treatment was being effective until they added ciprofloxacin last month, it cleared the green mucus straight away. Don’t know date for scan yet but will post results when it’s done if you like.

[TheTBRT in reply to Jack70]

that's wonderful that the ciprofloxacin helped you. Would love to hear about your CT scans coming up. Hope you are feeling well!

[Blue_smiles]

I was diagnosed in September and had a follow up X-ray at the end of November. Mine showed the cavitary lesion had decreased in size after about 2.5 months of taking rifamipin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. I am now only taking rifampin and isoniazid. I will hopefully finished with those in June. Once I finish I will have another X-ray to see if the lesions have gotten any smaller since November.

[87wise]

Hey not been here for a few months got fed up of it being so inactive . I have cavities in right lung and even since finishing my treatment in august 2021 my cavities in my right lung have shown little change on my ct scan and not much calcification and on my X-rays they are even visible so I have to have a further Ct scan in another few months. I am now on my fifth chest infection seem to catch everything going not sure if other people are the same . Hope your ok xx

[TheTBRT in reply to 87wise]

When you get chest infections and you cough, is your sputum ever bloody?

[87wise in reply to TheTBRT]

I have done on one occasion and got told to not be too concerned I now have had another chest infection and have had a further course of abx . It’s madness what TB has done to my lungs , I’m 35 it’s stopped me going to the gym and I start to get pain etc just ridiculous what this disease does .

[TheTBRT in reply to 87wise]

I get pain in the area if cavitation as well. I’m happy to hear I’m not the only one but I feel your frustration. I was exposed to windy/dusty conditions recently and started to have some blood streaked sputum. This is now the second time. I guess I just have to be more cautious about what type of environment I’m in. I am 29. It’s hard to set limitations for ourselves because we are so young but must be diligent because we are in such a fragile state. I workout twice a week. Just for one hour. I do what I can and it has made me feel somewhat normal and human again. You can reach out to me anytime. I’m happy I found this forum even though it doesn’t seem very active. This is all still so new to me as well - it’s been nice to connect with someone like you who is experiencing similar things during this recovery.

[SLB0404 in reply to TheTBRT]

Hi TBRT - I can't say what a relief it was to read those words! I get pain where the cavitation was/is and my doctor didn't even really acknowledge it. After checking my scans she told me everything is fine (as in, 18 months after finishing medication, I no longer have TB but I still have some small cavitation and a lot of scarring) - she didn't address the pain being normal or at least something which sometimes happens. It was driving me nuts, I started thinking I must be imagining the pain.

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi 87wise - I'm sorry to hear that you are still experiencing issues after completing your TB treatment. It can take a long time for your body to heal after TB. Unfortunately, the lungs are one of the slowest parts of the body to repair. Don't give up though. Keep eating well, getting the rest you need and building up exercise - this will help you recover in time - and don't be afraid to push your doctor for more help.

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

TheTBRT - how are you feeling now? I am told that after the first few weeks of TB treatment people begin to feel a lot better from the TB - even if they then have annoying side effects to the medication to deal with.

[TheTBRT in reply to HelenC]

I’m feeling alright for the most part. Shirt of breath when the air quality is poor and also when walking long distances etc.. I have an occasional pain in my upper chest (where the cavity is) it typically presents as a dull or aching pain. Not quite sure what that is about.

[HelenC Partner TB Alert in reply to TheTBRT]

Sounds like it is going in the right direction - it can be a long haul though!

[TheTBRT]

Hey everyone! Sorry for the incredibly delayed response. I had an upcoming CT and wanted to wait for the results until I posted again. The hemoptysis has resolved. Ali though it lasted for 9 days. I was coughing more than usual and certainly could have agitated the cavity and resulted in the coughing up blood. I had a CT scan done (I am now on month 8 of INH/rifampin therapy) and it had some abnormalities seen. Can’t seem to get a straight answer out of the doc whether I should be concerned or not so that’s been really frustrating. The cavity hasn’t decreased in size at all, but it also hasn’t gotten any bigger. There are small opacities noted around the cavity which were present on my first CT scan when I was diagnosed. Now there is a small pulmonary nodules that seems to be of concern. I am now trying to get a referral to an infectious disease doctor to see if they have any beneficial input or advice/treatment.

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Good for you to keep pushing for answers.