Early TB test and possible treatment

[Lone Wolf 4]

1) Why would "1)" be impossible? ( If I am understanding clearly, the best approach is to make sure you can pass a 60 day sputum test BEFORE ever taking the medical exam at St. Lukes.)

 

I did not say sidestep taking the test. I already know they will order the test due to the x rays, there is no avoiding it. I am saying, if possible, taking a 60 day Sputum test before bothering going to St. Lukes. If fail you know not to do the medical. If you do it before actually applying for a visa it could save some hassle.

 

2) Ok, the one year wait concerns treatment both if St. Lukes catches it or it was caught before you went to St. Lukes and received treatment. I was not clear on the latter. That does have an impact on what I was thinking. I was not suggesting concealing anything, just trying to clarify my understanding, which was partially wrong.

 

In our particular case her treatment was 7 months total. It was completed October or November of 2017. I am not comfortable with the post treatment screening. I am worried it may of just gone dormant and possibly she still has latent TB.

 

Treatment at St. Lukes is just impractical unless I move back to the Philippines and to Manila this time. And that right now is impractical.

 

So since it will be at least a month before I am cleared myself to petition we will try to have her screened more rigorously before even applying.

 

Thank you for the updated link.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Just now, Lone Wolf said:

1) Why would "1)" be impossible? ( If I am understanding clearly, the best approach is to make sure you can pass a 60 day sputum test BEFORE ever taking the medical exam at St. Lukes.)

 

I did not say sidestep taking the test. I already know they will order the test due to the x rays, there is no avoiding it. I am saying, if possible, taking a 60 day Sputum test before bothering going to St. Lukes. If fail you know not to do the medical. If you do it before actually applying for a visa it could save some hassle.

 

2) Ok, the one year wait concerns treatment both if St. Lukes catches it or it was caught before you went to St. Lukes and received treatment. I was not clear on the latter. That does have an impact on what I was thinking. I was not suggesting concealing anything, just trying to clarify my understanding, which was partially wrong.

 

In our particular case her treatment was 7 months total. It was completed October or November of 2017. I am not comfortable with the post treatment screening. I am worried it may of just gone dormant and possibly she still has latent TB.

 

Treatment at St. Lukes is just impractical unless I move back to the Philippines and to Manila this time. And that right now is impractical.

 

So since it will be at least a month before I am cleared myself to petition we will try to have her screened more rigorously before even applying.

 

Thank you for the updated link.

Why is number 1 impossible?  Because SLEC bases the requirement on -  if there is scarring or such that requires SPUTUM .    Just how to you "prepare" a person lungs for this?

 

Bring past medical records to SLEC for the medical

[Crazy Cat 41,982]

8 minutes ago, Lone Wolf said:

I am saying, if possible, taking a 60 day Sputum test before bothering going to St. Lukes. If fail you know not to do the medical. If you do it before actually applying for a visa it could save some hassle.

Huh?  The process is the same whenever you do a sputum test........and at the official visa medical exam, you will still have a sputum test due to lung scarring....so with your method, you could have 2 sputum tests.

Edited May 31, 2019 by missileman

[Lone Wolf 4]

Ok, as far as number 1 I think the question is being misunderstood. Why apply and wait all that time until you go to St. Lukes to see if someone was still positive. Seems that if there is any question or concern it is better to be tested as early as possible and start treatment. Since we have not even started the petition, seems like a lot of wasted time not to verify now she is clear with a 60 day test. As I said before, she was treated, passed a sputum test, but it was only 3 days and I am not 100% convinced.

Number 2 negates avoiding the one year wait should she require additional treatment. But knowing now, instead of waiting more than 6 months for St. Lukes to check is a waste of time.

[payxibka 10,045]

8 minutes ago, Lone Wolf said:

Ok, as far as number 1 I think the question is being misunderstood. Why apply and wait all that time until you go to St. Lukes to see if someone was still positive. Seems that if there is any question or concern it is better to be tested as early as possible and start treatment. Since we have not even started the petition, seems like a lot of wasted time not to verify now she is clear with a 60 day test. As I said before, she was treated, passed a sputum test, but it was only 3 days and I am not 100% convinced.

Number 2 negates avoiding the one year wait should she require additional treatment. But knowing now, instead of waiting more than 6 months for St. Lukes to check is a waste of time.

You believe the TB is still active?

[Lone Wolf 4]

15 minutes ago, missileman said:

Huh?  The process is the same whenever you do a sputum test........and at the official visa medical exam, you will still have a sputum test due to lung scarring....so with your method, you could have 2 sputum tests.

 

Isn't a sputum test now a lot cheaper then waiting until going to St. Lukes and then finding out you have to go through additional treatment?

 

You catch it now. You start treatment now. You do not travel from one end of the country to the other, months from now, just to find out you fail and then start the treatment process.

 

In our case, she is nowhere near Manila, living all that time in Manila creates multiple hardships for her.

If you live in Manila and already are close to the exam, I could see waiting.

[Lone Wolf 4]

2 minutes ago, payxibka said:

You believe the TB is still active?

No, after treatment and for her job she has had x rays, it showed it cleared, but of course there is still scarring.

I am NOT worried about active TB, I am worried about latent TB.

[Hank_ 9,174]

48 minutes ago, Lone Wolf said:

Ok, as far as number 1 I think the question is being misunderstood. Why apply and wait all that time until you go to St. Lukes to see if someone was still positive. Seems that if there is any question or concern it is better to be tested as early as possible and start treatment. Since we have not even started the petition, seems like a lot of wasted time not to verify now she is clear with a 60 day test. As I said before, she was treated, passed a sputum test, but it was only 3 days and I am not 100% convinced.

Number 2 negates avoiding the one year wait should she require additional treatment. But knowing now, instead of waiting more than 6 months for St. Lukes to check is a waste of time.

There is NO early testing to negate the process (SPUTUM) at St. Luke's.   There is ZERO value in completing any testing early.   Any early testing, even at St. Luke's will not be accepted for the medical as required for the visa.

 

SPUTUM is 3 days of collection and observing for early culture, if not positive at that time THEN there is the 60 day culture process.   No exceptions.

 

 

37 minutes ago, Lone Wolf said:

 

Isn't a sputum test now a lot cheaper then waiting until going to St. Lukes and then finding out you have to go through additional treatment?

 

You catch it now. You start treatment now. You do not travel from one end of the country to the other, months from now, just to find out you fail and then start the treatment process.

 

In our case, she is nowhere near Manila, living all that time in Manila creates multiple hardships for her.

If you live in Manila and already are close to the exam, I could see waiting.

Everything MUST be done through the medial for the visa .. everything! (even if you did this early through St. Luke's hospital .. it will not be accepted)  You do anything early it is of no value and could possibly caused excessive delays later.    

 

Take a deep breath and relax ... you need to accept the process as it is/well be.

Edited May 31, 2019 by Hank_

[Lone Wolf 4]

" There is NO early testing to negate the process (SPUTUM) at St. Luke's.   There is ZERO value in completing any testing early.   Any early testing, even at St. Luke's will not be accepted for the medical as required for the visa. "

 

At this point I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying. Your answer to #2 of the original question did negate what I was originally thinking.

 

But an early test and starting treatment early would be of GREAT benefit for anyone that can not sit in Manila for 8 months for treatment and clearance.

 

Simple examples of process should TB test fail:

 

1) Waiting to test until St. Lukes:

Petition submitted July 2019.

Approved in 6 months - Jan 2020.

Exam at St. Lukes - Feb 2020.

Passed 3 day SPUTUM test.

X ray indicates need for 60 day SPUTUM test.

Failed 60 day SPUTUM - April 2020.

Back home 6 months of treatment - Oct 2020.

One (1) year required wait (as required by CDC) Oct 2021.

Pass Sputum test at St. Lukes (60 days) and cleared Dec 2021.

 

 

2) Pre testing.

Private Test June 2019 - 2 month culture.

Failed last day of 60 day test - August 2019.

Treatment locally for 6 months - Feb 2020.

One (1) year required wait (as required by CDC) Feb 2021.

Petition submitted 6 months into 1 year wait period after treatment - August 2020.

One year after treatment - February 2021.

Petition approved in 6 months - February  2021.

Exam at St. Lukes - March 2021.

Passed 3 day SPUTUM test.

X ray indicates need for 60 day SPUTUM test.

PASSED 60 day SPUTUM test and cleared May 2021.

 

May 2021 and December 2021 is a difference should the applicant have TB active or latent. I did have to assume time range from the petition to St. Lukes was 6 months in both cases for illustration purpose, but the concept remains the same. You can shave off wait time by pre testing and getting treatment if treatment in Manila would be a hardship and will be done locally. This approach would meet the CDC guidelines of 1 year after treatment. All records would be given to St. Lukes and would show treatment, follow up and the one year wait.

IF treatment at St. Lukes is no problem, then pre testing would be a waste. BUT not everyone can park their butt for 6 months plus, out of work, away from family and everyone they know.

 

 

 

[Lone Wolf 4]

While on the subject though, if treatment is done at SLEC they have to go there every single day for 6 months?

Is there a charge for the treatment?

 

If there is a charge, anyone know the cost?

 

 

[payxibka 10,045]

Just now, Lone Wolf said:

While on the subject though, if treatment is done at SLEC they have to go there every single day for 6 months?

Yes.  It's not called "Daily Observable Treatment " for no reason 

[Hank_ 9,174]

1 hour ago, Lone Wolf said:

While on the subject though, if treatment is done at SLEC they have to go there every single day for 6 months?

Is there a charge for the treatment?

 

If there is a charge, anyone know the cost?

 

 

No additional cost, included in the medical fee.

 

Of course by the time you are done you medical will be over 6 months old ... so ... you need a new medical

[Prisonmate 93]

Okay, I know the last posting was 7 months ago. But I hope this forum can help me answers my questions. My fiancee is going to SLEC next week for her medical. If SLEC thinks she has scars on the X-Rays, they will make her do the Sputum Test by coming back in the future? for three days? Then wait for 2 months to see the results? Then if negative, continue the medical exam. If positive,  stay in Manila for 6 months? for SLEC treatment. Otherwise, go home to Cebu, go thru treatment there. Wait a year after treatment to reapply the K1 Visa?

 

My questions is have anyone that don't live in Manila actually moved to Manila for 6 months for treatment? My fiancee is from Cebu and it's very difficult for many reasons to move to Cebu for 6 months.

[payxibka 10,045]

Yes, not only from cebu but other islands as well

[Hank_ 9,174]

2 hours ago, Prisonmate said:

Okay, I know the last posting was 7 months ago. But I hope this forum can help me answers my questions. My fiancee is going to SLEC next week for her medical. If SLEC thinks she has scars on the X-Rays, they will make her do the Sputum Test by coming back in the future? for three days? Then wait for 2 months to see the results? Then if negative, continue the medical exam. If positive,  stay in Manila for 6 months? for SLEC treatment. Otherwise, go home to Cebu, go thru treatment there. Wait a year after treatment to reapply the K1 Visa?

 

My questions is have anyone that don't live in Manila actually moved to Manila for 6 months for treatment? My fiancee is from Cebu and it's very difficult for many reasons to move to Cebu for 6 months.

That is pretty close to spot on.   

 

>   Most all move to Manila for the 6 months of DOT if it is required