tuberculosis, latent
"I just finished a 4 month regimen of Rifampin.  It was prescribed when I was tested for TB in preparation for starting on a biologic for Rheumatoid Arthritis.  I have no idea how/when I was exposed to TB but I couldn't start the biologic until the latent TB was addressed.  I will never know if it was "effective" since I will always test positive for TB antigens but I'm glad I took it-didn't have much of a choice!  It was not an easy medication to take but I got through the course of treatment better than I anticipated.  I did have slight nausea at the beginning and intermittent watery diarrhea throughout.  I don't know if the other side effects (fatigue, primarily) I experienced were side effects of Rifampin or symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis."