"My spine was slowly deteriorating, and doctors couldn't figure out why - until it was almost too late!"

Pott disease, also known as spinal tuberculosis, is a rare and serious infection that affects the spine. Unfortunately, it is a disease that can often go undetected or misdiagnosed, which can lead to devastating consequences for the patient. I am someone who has experienced this firsthand, as my own battle with Pott disease was not identified for more than a year.



My journey with Pott disease began when I was living in Poland. I started experiencing symptoms such as fever and shivering in the night, but despite visiting different doctors, they were not able to identify the cause. They did perform an MRI on the lower level of my spine, but they did not check the thoracic level, which is where the infection was located. I was given medication for the symptoms, but they were only temporary relief.


After a year, I moved to Germany, and the same symptoms returned, but this time they were accompanied by severe pain in my spine. I went to see a doctor, who immediately identified the cause as tuberculosis and informed me that two of my vertebrae were already damaged. I was immediately put on medication for tuberculosis, but unfortunately, the damage was already done.




It's heartbreaking to think that my Pott disease could have been identified and treated much earlier, which could have prevented the damage to my vertebrae. Early detection and testing are critical when it comes to spinal tuberculosis, as it can quickly lead to permanent damage if left untreated. If only the doctors in Poland had checked the thoracic level of my spine with an MRI, they could have identified the infection much earlier and saved me from months of suffering and damage.

My experience with Pott disease has taught me the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking medical attention from experts who are knowledgeable in the field. If you are experiencing any unusual symptoms or if you suspect something might be wrong, it's essential to keep pushing for answers until you get a proper diagnosis. Additionally, it's crucial for doctors to be thorough in their testing and diagnosis to prevent cases like mine from happening.

In my next blog post, I'll be sharing more about my journey with Pott disease and how it affected me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I hope that by sharing my story, I can raise awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment of Pott disease and help others who may be going through a similar situation.

#EndTB #StopTB


Location: India

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