Pleural Effusion

[dnraj]

Hi
I am 26 Years old Male. Last Year (JUNE-2008), I was diagnosed with Left Sided Liquid Pleural Effusion, I was on medicine of R-Cinext for 8 Months. After 8 Months I have done CT-Scan of Chest and X-Ray Chest, But still it showing Pleural Effusion but this time with thickening the liwuid. My Doctor tried to aspirate through needle but he couldn't. And also my doctor advised me that I dont need to take any medicine further. The effusion will dry up within 2 to 3 months. He is asking me to wait for 2 to 3 months. For further treatment.

I have a simple question Should I wait for another 2 -3 Months?Or Should I continue R-Cinex.?
Please advise me. I am still not able to understand the cause of the disease.
I am Non-Smoker, Non-Alcholic, Non Vegetarian.
Please Advise me.

Thanks & Regards
D.N.Raj

[Dr Vinod]

Hi!

If you are located in India we advice you to go to the nearest DOTS centre for assessing your case of Tuberculosis.
Under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme the drugs are given free and there are combinations available which would avoid the bacteria to get resistant and you cured completely.
If your body is free of Tuberculosis bacteria and you have taken the full course you can stay rest assured.
Compare the latest X-ray and CT scan with the other scans and X-rays you have. Any Chest specialist can come to conclusion on your healing and future course of action.
Take care and keep us posted on the results of your latest reports.

[dnraj]

Hello Doctor!......
Thanks for your promp reply.
I am in India (Delhi) only. I have taken the ATT(Dots) for 8 MONTHS .
Despite of taking the Medicine for 8 months,the  Only improvement is I dont have any symptoms like cough, fever, loss of weight, loss of appettie but still the X-Ray and CT-Scan report shows that ther is still effusion but this time it is thickening and it is around 3 cm from the skin, earlier (before the treatment at ATT) IT was just liquid and aspirated for pathology tests, but this time they couldn't. And the chest specialist from LRS(Mehrauli) advised me to wait for 2-3 months so that it will dry up automatically.Also said that I dont need to take anymore  DOTS medicine. If it will remain even after further 3 months he opted for surgery. I am taking R-Cinex 600 on my own interest to avoid the surgery. I am scared of surgery. Please advise me.Should I countinue to take the medicine?
When I was taking treatment from  DOTS center they have given me medine 3 times in a week.
I think this dosage was not sufficent to kill the bacteria / infections.
What's your opinion on this.
Please guide me.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello RajSahab,

That is the reason we asked you to share with us the detailed information.
Stop taking all medications immediately.
You might be tuberculosis free when you were taking 4 drugs during 1st or 2nd month.
The DOTS is such a nice programme and if you took all the drugs as advised properly you have little chance of relapse or resistance for tuberculosis. You continued till 8 months even after killing the Tuberculosis bacteria during 1st 2 months for complete cure of Tuberculosis.

If you have resistant tuberculosis you would surely be detected in sputum, X-ray, ESR and Mantoux. You can repeat them now and also send some sample of the pleural effusion fluid for testing.

Rest assured and follow the instructions of your doctor. R-Cinex can do nothing now and it will cause more harm when consumed without any reason. (It has side effects, builds resistance etc)

Take care and keep us posted for any further symptoms .