Pleural effusion caused by TB: What to expect?

Two months ago, I was diagnosed with a pleural effusion caused by tuberculosis. I’ve searched everywhere online, but I can't find any clear information regarding this specific type of effusion. I was just discharged from the hospital two weeks ago, but they weren't able to perform a certain lung scan because it would have interfered with my physical therapy. Does anyone here have any insight on this? I would truly appreciate any help you can provide!

If the swelling is looking pretty significant, regardless of what's actually causing it, you really should just go ahead and tap it to drain that fluid out.

In our part of the country, tuberculosis is actually a primary cause of pleural effusion, and I agree with Scott Allen10 that drainage or aspiration is necessary. Those adhesions you're feeling are scarring from the inflammation, which is a fairly common occurrence following specific types of pneumonia and pleurisy. You'll need to monitor those adhesions through regular follow-ups... If they start causing you significant discomfort, your pulmonologist will likely refer you to a thoracic surgeon to determine if an intervention is required, though that would only happen once your tuberculosis treatment is fully completed.

They performed a puncture on me and drained some fluid just for testing. Afterward, I was prescribed Medrol and sent to physical therapy to help clear the rest out naturally. Honestly, though, that hospital was a complete circus.

Wait, why Medrol? He and people like him should be avoided whenever possible...