Tuberculosis (TB)?

Question

My partner has been ill for a while, and his doctor has told him that it's likely to be tuberculosis.

His symptoms are:

-coughing constantly, often ending in vomiting

-constant diarhea

-night sweats

-fatigue/lethargy

-vomiting

-breathlessness

He's had this for about 6 months on and off (it goes away with antibiotics, but comes back after a few weeks)

He's going for chest X-rays and blood tests in a day or 2.

He's had the BCG, but apparently this is only 70% effective.

They reckon he could have it as he works in an off-license and spends a lot of time talking to homeless people who come in every day, and apparently it tends to be homeless people or those in prison who contract it (according to doc)

Does anyone know anyone who's had TB, and what happened? The doctor said the treatment is similar to chemo, lasting 6 months.

Alternatively - does anyone know of any other illnesses which cause similar symptoms?

Doc has said it could be lung cancer (as my partner is an asthmatic who smoked heavily for 20 years) but it's most likely TB.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated! So worried!!

(he has quit smoking now)

Answer 1

i second the suggestion: get second and third opinions first before go on with the treatment. after that you can choose the best way. Good luck to you both

Answer 2

A

Answer 3

Does he also have bright pink spots on his cheeks as if he has put on a big dab of blusher on each cheek ?

The symptoms sound exactly like TB.  He is at serious risk and so are you.  Children he may meet are particularly vulnerable to TB

Do you realise how serious this illness is ?  

If it is multi-drug-resistant TB it might turn out that there is little or nothing which can treat it, and there is a strong chance of dying from it.  You and he MUST regard it as URGENT and top priority to get tested and treated.

YOU MUST NOT BREAK OFF THE TREATMENT EARLY

This is desperately important.

Answer 4

An immediate diagnosis of TB: coughing phlegm or sputum with blood.

Answer 5

to diagnose tuberculosis for sure you need - in addition to clinical exams and xrays/scans - to isolate the bacteria itself. this can be done through cultures from sputum, gastric juice, urine or even stool - depending on the location of the tb, or through a biopsie.

to say the treatment is similar to chemo may be correct in medical terms but a little misleading for the medical laymen  - i think. the treatment consists of a combination of several antibiotics, usually starting with a combination of three and should be continued for at least six months. since it is crucial to finish this treatment there may be more side effects that have to be tolerated than you would in a "normal" round of antibiotics.

lung cancer could be one differential diagnosis, but from the little information we have in this post  nobody can safely say these two are the only possible reasons for your partners symptoms. discuss this and all possible differentials with your doctor after completing the tests.

good luck to your partner

Answer 6

Hmm, TB isn't as common as it used to be.  A couple of years ago did you see on the news about that guy that flew to different countries when he knew he had TB, then they quarantined him?

Honestly, I'd be getting second and third opinions before starting treatments just to make sure it really is that.  Good luck to you both and wishing him a speedy recovery!

Answer 7

Sounds like he might have tb or could be a mixture of smoking, allergy and advancing tb conditions. How was he tested, when and did he get diagnosed with Active TB or as just having it in his system asleep? What did the xrays reveal? I suggest you get a second oppinion and have him retested and if possible have a physical and have blood. urine, and if you can take him to an allergist.