My Life as a TB Patient - Part 2

After confirmed diagnosed TB by the doctor, I was given 3 months of medical leave to have self quarantined at home. I was given 4 types of antibiotic/drugs to consume daily as the treatment. The 4 used drugs are as below:



• Isoniazid
• Rifampin
• Pyridoxine
• Ethambutol

I have to take the 4 drugs above in empty-stomach in the morning. After consumed the medicines in an hour later, then only I could take my meal.

The doctor just advised me to have self quarantined at home and to wear mask during my treatment. He reminded me to not consume the Chinese herbal medicines while consuming the western TB medicines. He told me the side effects of the medicines would cause orange-coloured urine and rashes.

However, when I received my TB treatment at the UMMC later on, the nurse informed me that there are more complications and matters are required to take note while having the medical treatment. But this doctor from the private hospital did not inform me at all. Anyway, I will share with you the matters to be taken note while consuming the TB treatment drugs.

Side Effects of the TB Medicines
• Changes in vision
• Orange or brown-colored tears or urines
• Rash

A vision test may be done by the eye specialist before treatment so your doctor can monitor any changes in your eyes' health over time. This is very, very important especially if you consumed the drug of Ethambutol. This is because it would affect the eye vision. I know that there are 2 cases that the patients have affected their eye vision due to taking the TB treatment. One of the cases has reported on the local Chinese newspaper about 2 months ago if I’m not mistaken.

When people do not take their tuberculosis medications as recommended, the infection becomes much more difficult to treat. The TB bacteria may become resistant to treatment, and sometimes, the drugs no longer help treat the infection.

Matters to be taken note while consuming TB Medicines

• Always to wear the mask
• Use your own set of utensils for meals
• Open the windows of the bedroom in order to let the sun ray to shine into the room to kill the bacteria
• Make sure the house/room has the fresh air
• To have the balanced diet


The TB patient is required to see the doctor immediately if having any 3 of the events below during the medical treatment.


1. Jaundice
2. Palpitations
3. Urticaria
4. Swollen for the body


So, during my self quarantined time, I was just stayed in my room. Reading, surfing net, and watching TV in my room. Only taking meals time I stepped out from my room, and I had to eat separately with my family, with my own set of utensils. Moreover, I had to stay away from my niece as she is still young. It was quite a hard time for me! :( Moreover, I also worried about my job too as I could not go to work.

I was having rashes and orange-colored urine while I was consuming my TB treatment. My eye vision has been affected too.

I had to go to the hospital to have my chest x-ray and follow-up check-up every month during my treatment. It was really cost me a lot of money for such illness. :( 