TB recovery times

[annejtyler]

I would like to find out other peoples experience of recovery. How long does it take for breathlessness to ease?

[annejtyler]

Hi Ruben. It is my husband who has TB. He is in the 3rd month of 6 months of treatment. He is feeling very tired. His main issue is breathlessness which happens if he is just walking about the house. This doesn’t seem to have eased. Are you experiencing breathlessness too? Best wishes AJ

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi annejtyler, I wish I could give you a definite answer but I am afraid that everyone's experience will be different. Some of it will depend on your general health before TB and also how long your TB went untreated. The good news, is that you can take steps to improve your fitness even when on TB treatment. Make sure to eat a balanced diet and take as much gentle exercise as you can manage - but also make sure to rest well when you need it too. Discuss the best way to do this with your TB Nurse and see if they can out you in touch with any local support services.

Best wishes,

Helen

[annejtyler in reply to HelenC]

Hi Helen, thanks for your response. Unfortunately, we do not have TB nurses in this area. I feel that there is a lack of ongoing support which I will bring up with public health.

Best wishes

AJT

[FreddieFaulenze]

I'm 82, had TB 3 years ago and still get out of breath if I walk too fast. So for me, it looks like the answer is never.

[annejtyler in reply to FreddieFaulenze]

Hi thaibob, sorry to hear about the breathlessness. Did you ever get any support from a respiratory therapist, or a physiotherapist?

Best wishes

AJT

[FreddieFaulenze in reply to annejtyler]

I've been to many TB doctors and none know.

[gurms31 in reply to FreddieFaulenze]

Get Hyperbaric oxygen therapy done to improve your lung symptoms. I had some tb in lungs although my case was more extrapulmonary. Had breathlessness left lung especially when running and I'm only 28. Did the therapy three times and breathlessness reduced by 70 percent and lung felt near normal.

[wjrskgnrjk1]

I was hospitalised with tb in May and again in July. I'd say for about a month after I got very breathless, especially if someone made me laugh. Now a few months later it has greatly improved and only flares up if I do a lot of walking in a day.

[SLB0404]

I got TB at 33, it went undiagnosed for 8 months. I finished my treatment 18 months ago and I still get breathless everyday - but nowhere NEAR as bad as before treatment though, of course.

I was given the 'homework' task of 30mins of gentle exercise 3 times per week but I haven't followed it really until now. My lung function has improved the tiniest amount but I'm told it won't actually recover so I need to work on my general fitness level in order to not feel breathless as often as I do.

[gurms31 in reply to SLB0404]

Hmm try hyperbaric oxygen therapy and see if that improves your issue

[Sindy234]

Hi Annejtyler, everyone's s experience is different. I was diagnosed early, the breathlessness subsided within a month of treatment. However I had other complications, I had liver problems which led to me not being able to take food down and I ended up malnourished and under weight.I struggled with doing day to day things and standing for too long for more then 6 months.

I recovered after I completed my treatment. I completed my treatment 7 months ago and I'm back to "normal. " I'm back to my normal weight and I no longer have any medical issues.

I hope your husband is doing much better now.