Cured TB patient stories

Mr. O
I was diagnosed as TB when I had a x-ray and sputum examination 2 years ago. I was coughing and had colored sputum. I had TB twice and it took long time to completely get cured. It affected my life for long time. For my first treatment, I stopped taking drugs after 3 months. Eight months later, I started to have the TB symptoms again, but I did not got to see a doctor. I became really sick and I was finally taken to the hospital by ambulance. My doctor explained to me about the treatment procedure and DOTS. My doctor said that I really needed to cure myself, so I determined to get cured. DOTS helped me ensure my intake of drugs. I would not have done it by myself. I just finished my treatment and I am relived to have completed treatment and I know a lot about TB. I would like other TB victims to recognize the symptoms of TB and get treatment. Many people do not know about TB, so it is important to strengthen health education on TB.

Mr. T
I found out that I had TB when I had a x-ray examination last May. I started to cough from last February and had a high fever. What is more, I lost weight for 10kg. I thought that I had a lung cancer because of blood in my sputum, but I never imagined that I had TB. I did not have much knowledge about TB at first, so it was difficult to understand what doctors were saying. I was worried. My doctor explained me about the treatment procedure and DOTS. My doctor, nurse and social worker encouraged me to complete the treatment. Furthermore, I had strong feeling that I really wanted to get cured. I would have forgotten to take drugs if I were to take them by myself. DOTS helped to complete the treatment. I learned about TB and I know it very well. I would like to advise those who have symptoms of TB that they go to get tested as soon as possible. Now I can give advice to other people who are suffering from TB based on my experience.

Mr. K
I was told that there was a shadow in my chest x-ray film during the health check up. And then, I had a further examination and diagnosed as TB. I was hospitalized. I did not have TB symptoms, so becoming TB did not shock me. However, it was really hard for me to stop working. While I was hospitalized, a public health nurse came to the hospital to explain about DOTS. This was when I first learned about DOTS. After I was discharged from the hospital, I became accustomed to go to the public health center to do DOTS. When I once had a fever and could not go to the center, a public health nurse delivered drugs to my house and therefore, I was able to do DOTS at home on that day. The event encouraged me to complete the treatment. If I were to take drugs by myself, I would not have determination to complete the treatment. I am relieved that I am not infectious anymore. I would like to advise TB sufferers to start treatment as soon as possible and also pay attention to their nutrition. Finally, I would like the government to prioritize TB control program.

Mr. H
I started to cough in April 2000. Since my cough did not stop and I had a fever, I had a x-ray examination. As a result, I was diagnosed as TB and hospitalized. During hospitalization, a public health nurse came to see me to explain about DOTS. When I first found out that I had TB, I did not think TB was a serious disease. When I found out that a patient with drug resistant TB had difficult time to get cured, I started to think more seriously. After I was discharged from the hospital, going to the health center to do DOTS created rhythm in my daily life. I was able to complete treatment. The best thing about being cured is that I created many human contacts though the experience of being a patient. At present, I am a staff member of NGO"Moyai", which provides assistance in contracting with a real state agency for renting an apartment. I got to know "Moyai" through the health center. Moreover, I help an organization that supplies food to homeless people. I hope that my message "TB is curable with proper treatment" will be promoted widely.

Mr. K
When I was staying at some institution, I was told that I looked pale. So, I went to the hospital for x-ray and sputum examination. As a result, I was diagnosed as TB and I was hospitalized. I did not have major symptoms expect cough and colored sputum. After I was discharged from the hospital, I went to the health center to do DOTS; however, I became TB again. For the second treatment, I was determined to do DOTS at the health center. I felt that the second treatment was the longest, but going to the health center created opportunities to meet public health nurses as well as other people. I am relieved to have become free from the disease. As I am cured, I feel that there is something that I can do. I am 64 years old and I am looking for a job. I would like to tell other people that TB is not a hopeless but curable illness.

Mr. G
One day, I had difficulty standing and I was taken to the hospital. There, I was diagnosed as TB and I was hospitalized. First, I thought I was going to die since I had seen a person who died of TB. While I was hospitalized, a public health nurse came to explain about TB. It was difficult to face side effect like numbness of my hands and legs. I was able to complete my DOTS treatment since the system is well established. Specifically, I was able to continue the DOTS treatment even after I was discharged from the hospital since I had support from the public health nurse. My goal is to find a job as soon as possible and become independent. I would like to suggest that TB sufferer follow doctor's instruction and keep taking drugs. Futhermore, it is important to promote the route of infection of TB. I would like to say that people do not have to be ashamed to be TB patients even though there is still stigma towards TB in our society.