Overcoming tuberculosis is no small feat. The body has fought a tough battle and is inching towards renewed strength and vitality. Meet Laxmi Asrani, Entrepreneur, Director at Skinwood Clinic, a TB survivor whose story is one of survival and inspiration, proving that even in the face of hardship, one can emerge stronger.
TOI Lifestyle spoke to Laxmi about the disease, her diagnosis and how she recovered from it.
“TB brought everything to a sudden halt”
In January 2022, my life took an unexpected turn. I was diagnosed with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). At the time, I was just stepping into my career as a fashion designer, full of dreams and ambitions. But TB brought everything to a sudden halt. For two long years, I fought not just the disease, but also its physical, emotional, mental, and social effects. On January 19, 2024, I was finally declared TB free. It wasn’t just a medical milestone it was a victory of resilience, hope, and inner strength. I’ve come out of this battle stronger than ever before. My fight against TB is also deeply personal as I lost my father to TB during his treatment on June 16, 2018. That loss changed me forever. Today, I carry a mission close to my heart: to eradicate TB from this country, no matter what it takes, and to spread awareness so that no one else has to suffer the way I did or the way my father did,” said Laxmi.
“My treatment began with a regimen that caused severe side effects like nausea, body pain, extreme fatigue, and mood disturbances. At one point, I even lost sensation in my feet due to peripheral neuropathy. The first six months were the hardest as I was on an older treatment regimen that my body simply couldn’t tolerate. It took a serious toll on me, both physically and mentally. My doctor introduced me to a newer drug regimen that I followed for the next 1.5 years. While it still had side effects, they were more manageable, and the journey became slightly more bearable. But by then, the damage had been done, the pain, uncertainty, and constant struggle had led me to some of the darkest days of my life. One of the most visible and distressing effects was that my skin turned completely orange, a side effect of the drug clofazimine. There were moments when I felt like giving up, moments when suicidal thoughts crept in something I never imagined I’d experience. I questioned everything: my strength, my purpose, and whether I’d ever live a normal life again,” she added.
TB weighs heavily on physical and mental health
“I lost sensation in my feet, my strength, and energy, and faced intense mental side effects. One of the most visible reminders of my journey is that the color of my skin completely changed due to medication. Even now, when I look at myself, it takes me back to those TB days. My immune system was compromised, and I had to be constantly cautious of infections. The physical toll was immense, but even after completing treatment, I faced post TB fatigue. Recovery doesn’t end with the last pill; it’s a slow, gradual process, both physically and mentally. Even now, any small symptom scares me. It’s been 1 year, 2 months, and 4 days since I was declared TB free, but I’m still not free from the fear. TB has left a deep imprint on my mental health, the fear, the trauma, the exhaustion. Recovery from TB is not just about survival, it’s about healing. And that healing takes time, support, and a lot of strength. The toll is real and long lasting, but I believe that with love, patience, and awareness, healing is possible,” she said.
Laxmi also spoke about how a life threatening disease like TB affects mental health. “TB isn’t just a disease , it weighs heavily on mental health. The long treatment duration, isolation (especially in cases of pulmonary TB), and harsh side effects can lead to anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. Many TB patients feel ashamed or afraid to speak about their struggles, and this silence only deepens their emotional burden. One of the biggest misconceptions even among those who know a little about TB is that TB patients must isolate themselves completely. That’s not true in all cases. What TB patients really need is extra care, love, and affection. They’re already fighting a difficult battle, and the medication is physically and mentally exhausting. This isn’t a treatment that lasts a few days or weeks or months for MDR-TB, it’s a long term journey of over 18 months. Mental health support is essential, yet it’s often overlooked in TB care. We need to be kind, compassionate, and understanding toward those going through this journey. Sometimes, a little empathy can make a huge difference for someone fighting this disease,” she said.
Laxmi stressed on the myths that hinder the progress of TB elimination initiatives. “Even today, TB is wrapped in myths and stigma. Many still believe TB only affects the poor, or that it’s highly contagious through mere touch. Others think TB patients must isolate completely or that TB is incurable once it becomes resistant. These are false and dangerous beliefs. The truth is , TB is treatable and curable, even MDR TB, when diagnosed early and managed with proper care. Another widespread myth is that TB only affects the lungs. That’s not true. In my case, I was diagnosed with MDR lymph node tuberculosis, which had no connection to the lungs. People often assume TB is only pulmonary, but TB can affect any part of the body except hair and nails. It can be in your lymph nodes, brain, skin, bones, kidneys, or other organs. Also, lymph node TB is not spreadable, yet many assume all TB is contagious. Understanding the different forms of TB is crucial to reducing fear and stigma and encouraging early diagnosis,” she said.
“Sadly, there’s still a huge gap in awareness about TB”
“Many people don’t even understand what TB truly is, and those who know a little often assume it only affects the lungs and that the person becomes “untouchable” and must be isolated. They are unaware that TB can affect almost any part of the body, not just the lungs and that not all TB is contagious. In India, TB is a silent epidemic, deeply rooted across all classes of society. Whether we realize it or not, we often share spaces, trains, buses, and public areas with people who may have active TB. In fact, many TB patients may be unknowingly living with active symptoms due to lack of awareness, stigma, and delayed diagnosis. Many people don’t recognize the symptoms, or they avoid seeking treatment because they fear discrimination especially women and young adults. But this fear can be deadlier than the disease itself, because delayed care allows TB to progress and become more difficult to treat. We urgently need open conversations, education, and compassion. Fighting TB requires awareness not silence and support, not stigma. Only then can we truly begin to eradicate TB, together,” she said.
“This illness does not discriminate”
Laxmi has a strong message for all and urges people to be kind to themselves and towards those who are affected with TB.
“Sadly, there’s still a huge gap in awareness about TB. Many people don’t even understand what TB truly is, and those who know a little often assume it only affects the lungs and that the person becomes “untouchable” and must be isolated. They are unaware that TB can affect almost any part of the body, not just the lungs and that not all TB is contagious,” she said. “In fact, many TB patients may be unknowingly living with active symptoms due to lack of awareness, stigma, and delayed diagnosis. Many people don’t recognize the symptoms, or they avoid seeking treatment because they fear discrimination especially women and young adults. But this fear can be deadlier than the disease itself, because delayed care allows TB to progress and become more difficult to treat. We urgently need open conversations, education, and compassion. Fighting TB requires awareness not silence and support, not stigma. Only then can we truly begin to eradicate TB, together,” she added.
“TB is not just a disease of the poor. I come from a good family, I was building my career and still, TB happened to me. This illness does not discriminate. TB is still a pandemic, a silent, deadly disease that spreads faster than many realize, even worse than COVID in some ways. It can affect anyone, anywhere. So let’s come together. Let’s spread awareness, let’s talk about TB, and work towards eradicating it. Because together, we can make a difference,” she urges everyone.