Two years..one month and eleven days later – after swallowing over 7000 tablets when the doctors nally declare you TB free and stop all your medications – you are beaming with joy, excitement, victory and what not!! But all that temporal ecstasy fades away after a while when reality hits you and you question “Okay, this is over..but now what’s next?” With all that physical, mental and emotional roller coaster ride coming to an end, you think about the residual side effects and worry if that’s going to hold you back from taking a plunge into the fast paced functional world.
What are the challenges that people face ‘after’ recovering from Tuberculosis?
Weakened Immunity: Yes, the treatment effectively kills the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, but the immune system is likely to remain compromised even after nishing the treatment. TB and its treatment can lead to signicant stress on the immune system, as both the disease and the medications used to treat it can disrupt normal immune function. This weakened state can leave the survivors more susceptible to other infections. Also, factors like malnutrition, co-existing health conditions, and the overall toll of a long illness can further delay immune recovery, therefore highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to post-treatment care, including nutritional support and regular health monitoring.
Coping with the Internal Damage: TB medications, while crucial in eliminating the infection, can have lasting effects on a person’s internal health even after the treatment is completed. Poor bone health, weaker joints, fatigue, are some of the most heard-of residual side effects that need a solid periodic medical intervention. In some cases, TB medications may cause peripheral neuropathy, resulting in nerve damage that affects sensation and movement. These adverse effects can compromise the body’s overall health, making recovery slower and increasing vulnerability to other health conditions even after the TB bacteria have been eradicated.
Combating the Feeling of Lagging Behind: After completing TB treatment, many individuals struggle with the feeling of lagging behind in their personal or professional lives due to the time lost during their illness. Overcoming this sense of ‘What am I doing?’ requires a combination of patience, self-compassion, and realistic goal-setting. Individuals recovered from TB or survivors, need backing from family, friends, or support groups. Sharing experiences with others who understand how tumultuous the journey of overcoming TB is, can reduce feelings of isolation. The peer support groups can also extend their hand in grounding the survivors by making them aware of the various options available such as therapy, career counseling and even taking up advocacy. This web of support allows an individual to feel safe to integrate back into the society and re-start their life.
Residual Mental Health Issues: TB treatment, while essential for eliminating the infection, often leads to residual mental health issues that persist even after the disease has been cured. The long duration of TB treatment, often lasting six months or more, combined with the side effects of medications like cycloserine, can contribute to anger issues, mood changes, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, the social stigma associated with TB, paired with isolation or fear of transmitting the disease to others, can induce feelings of loneliness and low self-esteem. These factors highlight the need for integrated care that includes mental health support as part of the recovery process for TB patients, aiming to address both the physical and psychological challenges they face.
CONCLUSION: Completing TB treatment is a signicant milestone, but post-treatment care is equally crucial in ensuring the long-term health and well-being of TB survivors. By providing ongoing medical follow-up, mental health support, and addressing the physical, social, and emotional challenges faced by TB patients, healthcare providers and communities can help ensure a full and successful recovery. Offering post-treatment care not only helps prevent relapse but also empowers TB survivors to lead healthy and fullling lives.
(This article was written by Akshata Acharya as part of a media fellowship supported by Stop TB Partnership)
