question about the treatment of the positive tb skin test.?

Question

hi i was given a tb skin test shot and for some reason it became positive could be the reaction or something. my chest Xrays came negative (no active tb) i went to my local MD and he prescribed me Isoniazid 100mg for 6 months. but the side effects of this medicine were bad such as heartburn, dihrea, nausea etc. and i quit the medicine 13 days before in other hand i took it for 5 and half month which mean i didnt complete the its course. i went back to my MD and he got little mad at me for not completing the medicine but didnt mention anything else. so now i am little worried and concerned if i should start it over? i am pretty sure the bacteria if theres any might have become resitant to INH antibiotic. now what can i do? should i take isoniazid INH for long period of time again or should i go for diffrent type of antibiotic. i researched alot but it seems like there is only one antibiotic which is isoniazid that can eliminate the inactive bacteria of tb. any suggestions?
thanks.

Answer 1

Your doctor was very upset because all antibiotics need to be taken exactly as directed in order to be effective. He was also upset that you didn't call him to complain about the side effects so he could have changed your meds back in the beginning because stopping them was not the way to go.

Please call your doctor and ask him what he recommends you do. Usually INH is the drug of choice but you can ask your doctor to prescribe something else. Do not be surprised if you have to start treatment at the beginning again if he orders a different prescription for you. There are other meds: pyrazinamide, rifampin or ethambutol.

And remember, never stop an antibiotic until first contacting your doctor. It truly is one of those medications where you must take it all and take it exactly as prescribed. Good luck!

Answer 2

I test positive for TB also and had a follow up X-RAY. The doctor told me I must have been exposed to someone with TB but do not have the disease. He also gave me a statement to show anyone in the future that I test positive so I don't have to take the test again. Your husband can take the treatment to totally eliminate the test from showing positive but it is supposed to be hard on the body and takes 6 months to complete. It is suggested also that the treatment not be given to people over 50 years of age, at the time I was 56 so I opted not to take the treatment.