Why is my father not gaining weight even after taking TB drugs for more than a month?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father is diagnosed with TB of lungs and the infection spreads to the stomach. He suffered from ascites as well, but the ascites got cured after antibiotic treatment. He is been on TB drugs from the last one month and 20 days but he is not gaining weight. He lost a lot of weight in his first 10 days of treatment, but he has not gained any weight. Before he used to get high fevers and chills for almost a month. But no weight gain and complete bed ridden situation, he can barely walk to the toilet and cannot even sit for some time say 15-20 minutes in a day. He has almost lost all muscle work from his body and we took him to the hospital as well, they did all the tests and said that it is because of TB itself and his condition will improve gradually, but I am worried.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

TB (Tuberculosis) is a chronic disease. He would have had TB for many years but diagnosed recently. So, TB would have caused damage to the body for a long time and that is the reason for his weight loss. Weight gain will be slow and gradual only. But what baffles me is his history of high fever because high fever is very uncommon in TB. Since he had ascites was his liver condition checked? As it can also cause ascites. Also was ascitic fluid analysis done to look for any cancer cells?

I also advise getting an HIV test done. It would be very helpful if you could upload all the test reports so that I can help you better. One more issue to consider is resistance to TB medicines. Was any sensitivity test done for TB medicine?

I suggest two medicines for him.

1. Syrup Cypon (Cyproheptadine HCl, Tricholine Citrate, and Sorbitol) 10 ml three times a day for one month.

2. Protovic-DF two teaspoons two times a day (mix in a glass of milk) for six months.

I hope this helps.