Looking for others who have latent tuberculosis (TB)

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with latent tb. I'm 1 week in to my 4 month course of rifampin and I'm absolutely exhausted. I also take bupropion for adhd & depression, which I was concerned about due to the potential side effect of lowering the bupropion blood levels while doing this treatment, but my psychiatrist, primary doctor, and pharmacist seemed comfortable with the idea of monitoring for increased symptoms and stabilizing with increased doses of it if necessary. I had within normal liver and kidney panels confirmed right before starting treatment. My appetite is decreasing, and I have some GI upset, but it hasn't been as overwhelming as the sheer exhaustion I'm experiencing. I have trouble staying awake now even after a full night's rest. I do have follow up appointments this week with both of them, but I'm also wondering if this is a common experience, and if anyone has any advice to help with liver support during this time. I'm hydrating and resting as much as possible but I'm also a working Mom, so I can't sleep every few hours for the next 4 months. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

@mollyrenee First of all I know nothing, but if you have latent tb and have no symptoms how was it discovered? A routine xray? Is there another drug you can take that doesn’t make you tired? There is one that starts with “I” that some of my family members were on for a year with no side effects. Your antidepressant shouldn’t make you tired so maybe you could get a different med for the latent tb. .. Are you seeing an infectious disease doctor? I’m sorry you are dealing with this. Being a working mom and being so tired is a difficult thing. I’m sorry. Try to get a different tb med that won’t make you tired. Although being a working mom and being tired is a way of life - exhaustion , however, is different!! Irene5

Although I have no symptoms, I just graduated from nursing school and started my first job at a hospital who completed required blood screening. I've never had the quantiferon blood test before, but have had multiple skin PPD tests in the past that were always negative. I was told the blood test is more accurate, but also my last skin PPD screening was 2 years ago so it is possible that during clinical rotations I came in contact with it somewhere. I did ask about alternative regimens, and was told by all of my physicians that the Isoniazid (I believe that's the tb med you're referring to) is much harder on your liver and the treatment length is 9 months long. The other wrinkle with it is that the new policies require a patient to go to the dr for them to watch you take every dose for 9 months. I live rurally, and with my responsibilities there's no way I can make that happen physically, aside from the fact that they wouldn't prescribe it due to worries over inducing liver failure in me. I was also told that's not a complication that happens every time, but it's a very real risk they weigh. I saw my dr yesterday and she felt my bupropion levels are probably dropping due to the increased metabolization happening from the rifampin, and recommended me to ask my psychiatrist for a higher dose bupropion right now, as well as considering some kind of stimulant for the adhd in the interim as my symptoms have started becoming more noticeable again. If my psych doesn't want to for some reason, my regular dr said she would try to prescribe me Strattera to help. Thank you for your kind words. Being exhausted is so difficult trying to support my family financially, physically, and emotionally. Hoping it gets better soon.

@irene5 I accidentally posted my reply to you as a comment below in the thread.

@mollyrenee First of all, congratulations on graduating Nursing School! Two of my kids were on Isoniazid for eight or nine months. They had BCG from China which is the live virus vaccination ; hence it always shows up. One of my daughters always has to ask me how to explain why she can’t have the PPD test. Her X-rays are always fine. That was the only pill she and her sister were on, and they were young. One was around 7 and the other 12. They had no side effects and no impact on their young livers . I’m sorry you are dealing with this. I don’t quite understand why a doctor would have to watch you take it every day. That’s nuts. I would imagine with rifampin it might be hard on your liver. Methylphenidate is good for ADHD. You might need it- especially to focus as a nurse. You also may be right about coming in contact with TB. As a kid in the 1950’s I did and it always showed up on an X-ray. I’m guessing it was a precursor to my MAC.. Anyway, try to stay well by staying well nourished (easier said than done sometimes), and I wish you the best with this as it is a lot as a mom. Irene5

@irene5 Thank you for the words of encouragement. I'm glad your children were able to do the Isoniazid successfully without side effects. My psychiatrist is very conservative with his treatments and wants to increase my bupropion dose while undergoing the tb treatment, but would be willing to add a stimulant in 1 month if the increased dose doesn't help. My primary doctor can't prescribe any heavily regulated stimulants due to the medical corporation's policies and limitations, but could prescribe Strattera if my psych won't do the stimulant. So far the increased dosage just seems to be giving me a wicked migraine but we'll see. I was surprised about the needing to visualize a patient taking the medication daily too, but apparently it's a new thing in some areas of the U.S. because they have to make sure strict antibiotic administration is being followed. I sort of understand that with the antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria we're creating, but I also don't think it's the best method or most realistic for people. Thank you again. I will try to eat well and rest as much as possible.

Well I am sorry about your having to go everyday. Realistically that is kind of silly. When we lived in Clarksville , Tennessee for a hot second I had to be checked all the time with a urine test before I could get more Tramadol . I just shook my head. But apparently states are different. I’ll keep praying for you. I can only imagine how hard this is for you. I take migraine medication so I can’t even imagine what that’s like not having anything to get rid of a migraine! Best, Irene5

@irene5 Just to clarify, I'm taking the med that doesn't require a daily visit, but the Isoniazid does to the best of my knowledge. I wanted to opt for that one because it doesn't interact with bupropion but when I found out about the daily visits we decided it wouldn't work for me. Thanks again. All the best.