Has anyone gotten a chest X-ray in the Philippines before the medical exam?

[osen74 4]

reading all these posts here, guys i am just wondering... if st. luke's don't honor other x-ray results in other clinic then those people who want to have an advance x-ray i mean if we want to know if we will gonna have any problem in our lungs then we can go to st. luke's to have an x-ray right..? what i mean is that the x-ray that we will gonna bring on the med. is the x-ray too that comes from them... its the x-ray result from them too... i have a friend here in my place she was married to a fil-am there in USA and she had an advance test also about this here in my place and her dr. here is the head on that area, and she is found negative of course but when she got her med. in st. luke's the result of the x-ray she have a scar... ohhh its scary.... so i am just thinking if we want to be safe then lets go directly to st.luke's and have our x-rays there...

i am just only thinking about this guy.. bcoz if its my turn i want to have a check also on my x-ray bcoz i am expose everyday on money at work.... and there was also an employee at our bank before when she got her med. she was delayed too for several months bcoz she needs to deal firsr her test at st.lukes...

St. Luke's is really very strict with regard to this.. even if you have previous xray's for comparison purposes and even if it came from St. Lukes medical center(not the clinic) they will still honor their own results.. i have read a thread about a vjer here who went on her medical at st. lukes extension, unfortunately she had findings on her xray, then she went to st. luke's hospital (main) to have her xray again.. here's the link..

[marklovetina 52]

St. Luke's is really very strict with regard to this.. even if you have previous xray's for comparison purposes and even if it came from St. Lukes medical center(not the clinic) they will still honor their own results.. i have read a thread about a vjer here who went on her medical at st. lukes extension, unfortunately she had findings on her xray, then she went to st. luke's hospital (main) to have her xray again.. here's the link..

OMG!!!, thank u very much for this link osen74.. so meaning even we go there in st.luke's med. center its not safe in comparison, wow i can't believe it too.... well good luck na lang po sa lahat ng hindi pa nagme-medical... talagang pasertehan na lang

[SoPinay 0]

Hello everyone!

I'm Aes and I'd like to share my experience regarding SLMEC's sputum exam requirements.

10 years ago, I worked as factory worker at MEPZ in Lapu-lapu City and was exposed everyday to rubber being burnt since our company was making rubber products. AFter 3 long years I quit because of the difficulty in breathing that I have been experiencing then.

In 2002, I had my x-ray since I applied as a crew in a food establishment. X-ray has always been a requirement to rule out any communicable disease especially Pulmonary Tuberculosis. In my x-ray, it showed some fibrosis or scars. However, the doctor said it was not an indication of PTB, but a sign of inhaling noxious smells such that of rubber.

But during those times, I always have cough , and does not stop even with medication until now.

In 2005, when I enrolled in nursing, we were to undergo physical exam, including X-ray. Again, the scars were very visible. But still the doctor said, I am negative from PTB.

Last December 2009, I had my medical exam at SLMEC. My scars were already very visible. And the medical technologist explained that I should have these AFB staining and if even if the result is negative, still I have to undergo the sputum culture. I tried to explain my part in the humblest way I could, not even telling them I am a nurse, but the medical technologists still insisted that I should have sputum tests. I told them if I could talk to the doctor (because as a nurse I believe I could explain why I have scars etc), and they said no.

So I had to undergo AFB staining and for those 3 samples taken, it was all negative. But again, there's the sputum culture.

I had no chance to explain anymore to the pulmonologist since she was of ill-behavior for me. Shouldn't doctors be approachable to their clients? Anyways, I was told to submit my old X-ray for comparsion, which I was not able to comply because I could not retrieve my old x-ray film.

Last February 15, I called up SLMEC and my sputum culture was negative. (Thanks God)

Although SLMEC does not honor x-rays taken outside the clinic, to give you a peace of mind and to prepare yourself whether or not you will need to wait for two long months, I suggest you have an advanced x-ray at a renowned hospital. Then bring that with you when you have your medical exam. If in the case you will have scars, at least they can have something to compare with.

I met a girl at SLMEC and there was already scarring in her lungs. She also brought with her an old x-ray film. I am not sure of the diagnosis, but although she had to undergo sputum culture for 2 months, she was also prescribed fr a medication for two months. And did it in her province. After two months, she came back to SLMEC (that's when I met her), and she had another x-ray. Her x-ray then was clear and she was given clearance. So she did not undergo the 6 months PTB medications.

That's all. thank you for spending the time to read on my reply. Godbless us all.

Chris and Aes

[Karen_and_Jay 2]

Be sure to speak with the radiologist though, this way you'll know if her St. Luke's medical will have no problem.

What do you mean? Do you think some Filipino hospitals might have an X-ray machine that is as good or almost as good as the one at St. Luke's? If so, do you know any hospitals that have a good X-ray machine?

But the entire plan was completely changed caused St. Luke's. Prior to that, I had 2 clear chest x-rays but St. Luke's did still find something suspesious on mine and we had no choice but to follow the "3-day sputum 2 month culture test" rule.

I am so sorry to hear that! That is exactly what I'm worried about! I know an early X-ray won't rule out a possible rejection by St. Luke's, but I think it might make me feel a little better about it!

[Karen_and_Jay 2]

My wife had an early x-ray. We thought it would be a good idea because it gave us some peace of mind. Also, it's easy to get an x-ray...just walk into the clinic and pay the 250-300 Php.

Thanks for the price estimate. I've also heard a range of 500-1,000php.

However, keep in mind that the early x-ray she gets is going to be taken by an x-ray machine which is not nearly as hi-tech as the one at St. Lukes Extension Clinic. The one at St. Lukes produces a higher resolution x-ray than the average x-ray machine. That means the St. Lukes machine will likely catch spots on the lungs that other machines may miss. My wife is a Registered Nurse who has seen perhaps a dozen different x-ray machines at hospitals and clinics around the Philippines. She said that the one at St. Lukes is very modern and hi-tech.

Do you or your wife happen to know a place that might have a "high-tech" X-ray machine?

Chances are very good that she will pass the chest x-ray and have no problems.

What makes you say that? I've seen some horror stories on here of people who had previous chest X-rays look clean but St. Luke's still found abnormalities!

so i am just thinking if we want to be safe then lets go directly to st.luke's and have our x-rays there...

It sounds to me like St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic ONLY performs these medical exams for visas and is very busy and crowded. I doubt they have time to perform "early" chest X-rays, but please someone -- correct me if I'm wrong about that! It would be great if any of us could go to St. Luke's just for the chest X-ray ahead of the rest of the medical exam!

[Karen_and_Jay 2]

St. Luke's is really very strict with regard to this.. even if you have previous xray's for comparison purposes and even if it came from St. Lukes medical center(not the clinic) they will still honor their own results.. i have read a thread about a vjer here who went on her medical at st. lukes extension, unfortunately she had findings on her xray, then she went to st. luke's hospital (main) to have her xray again.. here's the link..

Thank you SOOOO much for this link and the helpful information!

Hello everyone!

I'm Aes and I'd like to share my experience regarding SLMEC's sputum exam requirements.

10 years ago, I worked as factory worker at MEPZ in Lapu-lapu City and was exposed everyday to rubber being burnt since our company was making rubber products. AFter 3 long years I quit because of the difficulty in breathing that I have been experiencing then.

In 2002, I had my x-ray since I applied as a crew in a food establishment. X-ray has always been a requirement to rule out any communicable disease especially Pulmonary Tuberculosis. In my x-ray, it showed some fibrosis or scars. However, the doctor said it was not an indication of PTB, but a sign of inhaling noxious smells such that of rubber.

But during those times, I always have cough , and does not stop even with medication until now.

In 2005, when I enrolled in nursing, we were to undergo physical exam, including X-ray. Again, the scars were very visible. But still the doctor said, I am negative from PTB.

Last December 2009, I had my medical exam at SLMEC. My scars were already very visible. And the medical technologist explained that I should have these AFB staining and if even if the result is negative, still I have to undergo the sputum culture. I tried to explain my part in the humblest way I could, not even telling them I am a nurse, but the medical technologists still insisted that I should have sputum tests. I told them if I could talk to the doctor (because as a nurse I believe I could explain why I have scars etc), and they said no.

So I had to undergo AFB staining and for those 3 samples taken, it was all negative. But again, there's the sputum culture.

I had no chance to explain anymore to the pulmonologist since she was of ill-behavior for me. Shouldn't doctors be approachable to their clients? Anyways, I was told to submit my old X-ray for comparsion, which I was not able to comply because I could not retrieve my old x-ray film.

Last February 15, I called up SLMEC and my sputum culture was negative. (Thanks God)

Although SLMEC does not honor x-rays taken outside the clinic, to give you a peace of mind and to prepare yourself whether or not you will need to wait for two long months, I suggest you have an advanced x-ray at a renowned hospital. Then bring that with you when you have your medical exam. If in the case you will have scars, at least they can have something to compare with.

I met a girl at SLMEC and there was already scarring in her lungs. She also brought with her an old x-ray film. I am not sure of the diagnosis, but although she had to undergo sputum culture for 2 months, she was also prescribed fr a medication for two months. And did it in her province. After two months, she came back to SLMEC (that's when I met her), and she had another x-ray. Her x-ray then was clear and she was given clearance. So she did not undergo the 6 months PTB medications.

That's all. thank you for spending the time to read on my reply. Godbless us all.

Chris and Aes

Thanks for the information, but now I'm more worried than ever!

[RVIANE♛ 5]

Thanks for the price estimate. I've also heard a range of 500-1,000php.

Do you or your wife happen to know a place that might have a "high-tech" X-ray machine?

What makes you say that? I've seen some horror stories on here of people who had previous chest X-rays look clean but St. Luke's still found abnormalities!

It sounds to me like St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic ONLY performs these medical exams for visas and is very busy and crowded. I doubt they have time to perform "early" chest X-rays, but please someone -- correct me if I'm wrong about that! It would be great if any of us could go to St. Luke's just for the chest X-ray ahead of the rest of the medical exam!

theres 2 St. Luke's in the Philippines the one is St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City and the one is St. Lukes Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLMCEC) in Ermita Manila this clinic only perform medical for visa purposes only they dont do early chest x-rays.

[marklovetina 52]

Thanks for the price estimate. I've also heard a range of 500-1,000php.

Do you or your wife happen to know a place that might have a "high-tech" X-ray machine?

What makes you say that? I've seen some horror stories on here of people who had previous chest X-rays look clean but St. Luke's still found abnormalities!

It sounds to me like St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic ONLY performs these medical exams for visas and is very busy and crowded. I doubt they have time to perform "early" chest X-rays, but please someone -- correct me if I'm wrong about that! It would be great if any of us could go to St. Luke's just for the chest X-ray ahead of the rest of the medical exam!

u can go to st.luke's med. center as what osen74 link given but of course it is still up to u if u still want to have the advance chest x-ray... after reading that link i can't believe it too.... but even though yeah i think chris and aes is right... its still good to have an advance chest x-ray....

[Tahoma 2,291]

Do you or your wife happen to know a place that might have a "high-tech" X-ray machine?

No, we don't know of any x-ray machines which are as advanced as the one at SLEC.

What makes you say that? I've seen some horror stories on here of people who had previous chest X-rays look clean but St. Luke's still found abnormalities!

The reason we think she will pass the SLEC x-ray is because the vast majority of people pass it with no problems. The odds are certainly very much in your favor. Even if she had to undergo the two-month culture, the odds are also greatly in your favor that she would pass the culture and not have to go through the six-month treatment regimen. So, why worry over something that has almost no chance of happening?

[osen74 4]

OMG!!!, thank u very much for this link osen74.. so meaning even we go there in st.luke's med. center its not safe in comparison, wow i can't believe it too.... well good luck na lang po sa lahat ng hindi pa nagme-medical... talagang pasertehan na lang

you're welcome! have an advance chest xray na lang din for peace of mind..

It sounds to me like St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic ONLY performs these medical exams for visas and is very busy and crowded. I doubt they have time to perform "early" chest X-rays, but please someone -- correct me if I'm wrong about that! It would be great if any of us could go to St. Luke's just for the chest X-ray ahead of the rest of the medical exam!

i don't think st. luke's medical extension would allow you or any applicant to get an early chest xray at their clinic before the actual med exam..

i too was so paranoid before i took my med exam just because of the dreadful sputum tests that might cause some delay for us.. i even had flu a week before my med exam.. and as much as i am so sure that i don't have tb, i still decided to have an advance chest xray at a diagnostic lab here in our place just to have peace of mind.. i was so relieved that the results were ok, my lungs are clear.. but then again i still have that small doubt in my mind that it's still possible to have a different result at st. luke's as what i have read from other threads here.. but still having the advance chest xray made me feel better and relaxed by the time i took my actual med exam..

let your fiance have an advance chest xray just to lessen the worries.. St. luke's is really very strict and they only honor their own results.. i do hope and pray all goes well for your fiance..

Edited March 1, 2010 by osen74

[Karen_and_Jay 2]

The reason we think she will pass the SLEC x-ray is because the vast majority of people pass it with no problems. The odds are certainly very much in your favor. Even if she had to undergo the two-month culture, the odds are also greatly in your favor that she would pass the culture and not have to go through the six-month treatment regimen. So, why worry over something that has almost no chance of happening?

Thanks for that vote of confidence, but if she has to take the 2-month sputum test, I will already be back in the USA and I don't know when I will be able to afford flying back to the Philippines or when my boss will give me more vacation time! And my fiancee is afraid to fly to the USA on her own since she's only flown once (with me) from Manila to Calbayog!

i too was so paranoid before i took my med exam just because of the dreadful sputum tests that might cause some delay for us.. i even had flu a week before my med exam.. and as much as i am so sure that i don't have tb, i still decided to have an advance chest xray at a diagnostic lab here in our place just to have peace of mind.. i was so relieved that the results were ok, my lungs are clear.. but then again i still have that small doubt in my mind that it's still possible to have a different result at st. luke's as what i have read from other threads here.. but still having the advance chest xray made me feel better and relaxed by the time i took my actual med exam..

let your fiance have an advance chest xray just to lessen the worries.. St. luke's is really very strict and they only honor their own results.. i do hope and pray all goes well for your fiance..

Thanks for the great advice! I'll have to see if I can convince her to take an advanced test!

[Tahoma 2,291]

Thanks for that vote of confidence, but if she has to take the 2-month sputum test, I will already be back in the USA and I don't know when I will be able to afford flying back to the Philippines or when my boss will give me more vacation time! And my fiancee is afraid to fly to the USA on her own since she's only flown once (with me) from Manila to Calbayog!

The answer is simple: go get your girl after she passes her medical.

You two can go to her interview together. Then you can fly home together.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

What do you mean? Do you think some Filipino hospitals might have an X-ray machine that is as good or almost as good as the one at St. Luke's? If so, do you know any hospitals that have a good X-ray machine?

My advance chest x-rays were both clear, according to the doctor. But St. Luke's still did find a abnormality on my lung that puts me to a dreadful sputum test. After that, we went back to the clinic where my previous x-rays were done and had the radiologist read my chest x-ray negatives and he told us right there that he found a small scar on my upper right lobe that the doctor did not. We wished he did so that we would be prepared.

No, I don't know any.

Edited March 5, 2010 by ~happyndinlove~

[Karen_and_Jay 2]

The answer is simple: go get your girl after she passes her medical.

Yeah, I'd already suggested that to my fiancee, but she is deathly afraid of going to the medical exam on her own. I don't think I can convince her to go by herself!

My advance chest x-rays were both clear, according to the doctor. But St. Luke's still did find a abnormality on my lung that puts me to a dreadful sputum test. After that, we went back to the clinic where my previous x-rays were done and had the radiologist read my chest x-ray negatives and he told us right there that he found a small scar on my upper right lobe that the doctor did not. We wished he did so that we would be prepared.

No, I don't know any.

Sorry to hear about your situation! I am glad it worked out after the sputum test! Thanks for your answer!

[Tahoma 2,291]

...she is deathly afraid of going to the medical exam on her own. I don't think I can convince her to go by herself!

Maybe it's time for her to put on her "big girl pants" and make a decision.

Give her a choice: she can have you there for her medical exam, or, she can fly home with you...but not both.