Extreme fatigue and long-term antibiotics

[SleepySOS]

I'm so tired I can't stay awake at my desk. I'm really struggling and I don't know what to do about it. I was diagnosed with TB a couple of months ago (came out of the blue, otherwise totally fit and healthy), then more recently I was told that the lab, in testing my samples, grew another bug as well as the TB (an aytypical mycobacterium in case anyone's interested). The TB treatment is a combination of antibiotics - 4 types for up to 6 months. The treatment for the other bug is at least 12 months of 3 types of antibiotics

I'm just over 2 months in and I feel like I can barely function. I'm fatigued. I'm sitting at my desk falling asleep on my keyboard. I can't concentrate. I asked about it at my last hospital check up and the consultant said it was probably a combination of the TB, other bug and the medication. I'm having regular blood tests and they also ran a load of tests for underlying issues when I was diagnosed (they can't work out how I got the TB so wanted to check if my immune system was working properly). Thyroid function and diabetes check was also carried out at my last blood test but not had results back yet.

I don't really know what I want from posting. Sympathy? Reassurance I will get through this? I've gone from being 100% full-on to barely getting though the day without a nap. I've got a huge bow-wave of work that I've created by not being on top of things and I can't believe I've got at least 10 more months of this

I feel absoluely horrendous on antibiotics, and they wipe me completely. Let alone having TB, you poor thing. DD2 had whooping cough a few years back, and it knocked her off her feet for months, I've never seen her so exhausted. Your immune system just needs time to recover....... just eat well, get lots of rest. You'll come out the other side.

Thanks, Badger. Just feeling a bit sorry for myself atm. I was focussed on getting through the initial 6 month period and thought I was doing ok, but then I had the news about the second bug and that I was starting a year of treatment for that as well. Bloody bugs. I need to get better at listening to my body and resting when I need to, but it's difficult when you're working full time and have got young kids and a house to run. There's always something that needs doing!

Thing is though, those jobs aren't anywhere near as important as your long term health. We're not very good at putting ourselves first but sometimes you have to.

The more you try and do, the longer your recovery will be.

You're absolutely right, I need to keep reminding myself to take it easy. It's so difficult when you're used to being up and about and on with things all the time though!