My Story

I'm starting this blog because I'd like to record my journey through the 9 months of INH (Isoniazid) medication that I'll be taking as treatment for latent TB.

Here's my history:

In late 2001, I was given a PPD test and lo and behold I reacted! I was told I had latent TB and given a pill bottle full of INH to take to isolate the tuberculin bacteria. I was also told all about the possible side effects of this drug. Common side effects include:

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Gas
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

So, being a healthy, happy thirty-year old, I stowed the bottle in the bottom of a box of books in my shed and forgot about taking it.

Fast Forward to 2010:

Here I am with a beautiful five year old and a cough that started in late 2009. No, I don't have active TB, but had bronchitis and just finished a round of azithromyacin. What spurred me to follow up on my latent TB was the unknown factor: could I have active TB? I spent a week in panic thinking that I could possibly expose my family to TB. I spent a week wondering what would happen if I were to be contagious...what would happen to my family, co-workers, friends if I had to be quarantined? Thank goodness none of that happened...

Peace of Mind:

For me, the instant I made the decision to take this drug I had peace of mind. Since I was not blessed with the ability to predict the future, I can honestly say that without INH there will always a possibility of my immune system being compromised and the tuberculin bacteria becoming active. Now, I'm almost forty and have seen my weaknesses...I'm not the invincible person I once was (or thought I was). To avoid any chance that I could ever expose those I love (yes, I know less than 10% of those with latent TB ever go active...who wants to take that chance of being in that category?) I've come clear on something very important: I'll spend nine months of my life, the time it took to carry my child from conception to birth, killing the tuberculin bacteria with INH.

Preparation:

I have known for two weeks that I'll be taking INH. Over this time, I've done some research.

• INH can deplete Vitamin B6, D, Folic Acid, Niacin and Calcium
• Alcohol should be avoided due to increased risk for hepatitis
• Eating foods high in tyramine may increase blood pressure (foods such as aged cheeses, red wine, beer, raisins, bananas, avocados, certain meats and sausages)
• Eating foods high in histamine may cause low blood pressure (tuna)
• INH may affect blood sugar

Sources: Trustar Health, Natural News, Drugs.com

My Take:

INH could mess me up big time but I can do a few things to help lessen potential effects. At this point, I'm working with just two things: Diet and Supplementation. We'll see what crops up as I go along.

My Vegan Diet:

I'm going to follow a vegan diet (or try to) for a couple of reasons:

1. Eliminating meat will place me in a lower risk category.
2. Eliminating dairy will place me in a lower risk category and help alleviate any allergens that might crop up for me.
3. Little or no alcohol.
4. Refined or processed sugar/products to reduce allergens, and support optimal health. This includes wheat flours, and white sugars.

Supplementation:

I started taking a multivitamn, Supernutrition's Women's Blend, that is strong in Calcium and D. It's food based, so I feel that I will have a higher chance of better absorption. The only problem: It's 6 a day. 3 at breakfast and 3 at lunch. Hopefully I won't keep forgetting to take the last three at lunch.

So, tomorrow, my journey begins...hopefully, like my pregnancy, I'll have zero morning sickness, radiant health, and only a few mood swings and headaches.