TB Chest X-ray

[Cécy 44]

Gosh I'm getting tired of this.

First the CS shouldn't have given me a TB skin test since I had the BCG vaccine done as a child and of course due to it my previous Test were positive, meaning that they will always be, meaning that instead of charging me for a pointless TB test he should ha

ve directly given me an X-ray.

So the nurse there told me it was fine to have the TB skin test reading done in my area right? So that's what I did, and since it was positive the County's Health Department asked me to do a Chest X-ray that I had last monday. Ok, not fun but done. And when i was told I had to do it I called the CS's office and they never told me that I shouldn't do that.

So now I'm calling the CS's office to see if they have my results and I'm being told that the INS (hello people it's called the USCIS now, update your files!!!) won't accept an X-ray done by the health center because they don't check ID's and what not and that they were called 2 weeks ago by the INS or whatever.

I'm pissed! Can't they just be honest? Can't they do think the easy way instead of charging us like we're cresus?

I just want to get to be happy with my fiancé.

I had a hell of a week with my brother being stuck in airports by incompetent airlines (he should get here this evening, 3 full days late) and now I hear that?

*end of rant*

Anyone know if it's true that they can't accept those? I was so stressed that I might have something that I can't even remember if they did check my ID or not. Why would I lie? If I have something I would rather know. Deep inside I know the TB test was positive because of the BCG vaccine. But still, if I can't stay here with my fiancé, I'd rather known now before we get married here.

[Dr_LHA 3]

I went to the civil surgeon, got the skin test and the X-ray, and had no problems.

Why did you go to the health center for the TB test, isn't it included in the cost of the medical? Sounds like you're doing a lot of running around for no reason and its causing you a lot of problems.

[Cécy 44]

I did the TB test at the Civil Surgeon, but because they knew that I lived 1h30 minutes away they told me it was fine to have a doctor read it where I live. The only one who accepted was the immunization department at the County's Health Center.

And the Health Center had me do the X-ray...

I did call the Civil Surgeon to tell them what that the helth center was getting me and X-ray and they didn't say a thing, just to send the paper. >.>

And yes I agree that it is a lot of running around, and definitely causing problem because the CS office isn't honest with me. And it's the running around and loosing time that is getting to me right now.

May I add that there is a civil surgeon service in the County's Health Center, but they were far more expensive. And I'm pretty sure they have their patient's chest X-ray done exactly where I had mine. >.<

Edited June 29, 2007 by Cécy

[Missbollinger 1]

Back when I had my medical I told the Dr right off the bat to skip the skin test and do the x-ray because in UK we used a live vaccine I would always test somewhat positive that and my goofy family Dr office read my skin test as majorly positive because my arm swelled bigger than anything he had ever seen (allergic reaction, my skin hates bugs). All my x-rays have come back negative but apprently there's no convincing some people..

So basically it should have been down with the civil surgeon otherwise it's not an official USCIS result.

[Dr_LHA 3]

May I add that there is a civil surgeon service in the County's Health Center, but they were far more expensive.

Perhaps you get what you pay for eh?

Still, sounds like your CS is being stupid.

[nyhazmat 2]

I feel your pain, all told, we ended up paying almost $800 because of the CS' ignorance. He was the only one available in town. He was rude and condesending. He insisted on a complete physical, with x-rays and blood work, despite being told by me of what the regulations say. There should be, but is not , a manner of letting USCIS know about these idiots. Just my humble opinion.

[Silke 1]

If you received the BCG vaccine as a child, a tb skin test will always come out positive...therefore I think they should have skipped the tb skin test and should have made you have the chest X ray right away...don't worry about having tb, it is the vaccine that made the skin test turn out positive...

[Dr_LHA 3]

If you received the BCG vaccine as a child, a tb skin test will always come out positive...

Not true. I had a BCG as a kid (and have the scar to prove it) and my skin test came out negative. It depends on many factors such as how long ago you had the BCG. My civil surgeon told me he always does the skin test and the X-ray, because when he tried to rationalise it and not to the skin tests, his patients were reporting getting RFEs.

[Silke 1]

If you received the BCG vaccine as a child, a tb skin test will always come out positive...

Not true. I had a BCG as a kid (and have the scar to prove it) and my skin test came out negative. It depends on many factors such as how long ago you had the BCG. My civil surgeon told me he always does the skin test and the X-ray, because when he tried to rationalise it and not to the skin tests, his patients were reporting getting RFEs.

I was told so by my CS though...oh well

[Lovetoteach 53]

I have been looking into getting my medical done. The nearest designated civil surgeon (on the USCIS list) is only about 20 mins from me. The rest are about 21/2 hours drive away.

Having read the OP difficulties, this is what I was told . I have to go have my HIV/syphilis/ TB skin test done at the health center, once I have these results I can then make an appointment to have the rest of the physical done at the civil surgeons office. She said if the skin reaction was larger than 5 mm then I would need to have a chest X RAY. I too had the BCG when I was 13 so I'd expect some reaction.

I'm concerned as I thought the exam took place altogether ie blood tests etc but she said this is how they do it. The blood tests are free at the health dept apart from the TB skin test which is $10, the physical I was told was $ 50. I already have a letter re my vaccinations as I had them all done back in 2004 when I first came on a K1 so that shouldn't be a problem..

I'm not worried about running around ,I have the time (not allowed to work yet) but don't have hardly any money so in that respect it would be a good option for me. What I am worried about is whether the medical exam will be accepted by INS. I don't to mess anything up . it has already taken nearly two for my I360 to be approved and to be allowed to AOS.

Can anyone give any insight ?

Thanks

Shona

Edited June 29, 2007 by shona

[Cécy 44]

I checked my vaccination book and there are all those test for TB that show positive on it after the BCG, but the Dr always wrote down Normal, so I didn't know what I was to expect... But the CS saw that, and as a Dr he should have and been smart and sent me straight to the X-ray. But that's my feeling. I guess I long as things work out and that I get no RFE for this I'll be happy.

Well they're supposed to call me back early monday morning. I hope I won't have to do an other X-ray and drive all the way, but if it's needed I'll do it and I'll stay in the office until they give me the "mysterious brown envelop", they should be happy I'll save them stamps right?

Edited June 29, 2007 by Cécy

[Fady 0]

Dear Shona,

I am wondering if you can tell me which "civil surgeon" quoted you $50 for the physical test. I was quoted $200 (including the blood test in Peoria, IL).

Also, I have a question .. my kid -as he was vacinated with BCG- tested positive in the TB test, the X-rays are clear .. is that enough for immigration purposes? His doctor wants to send him to a "Pediatric Infectious Diseases" doctor to be very sure!!!

Many thanks,

Fady

I have been looking into getting my medical done. The nearest designated civil surgeon (on the USCIS list) is only about 20 mins from me. The rest are about 21/2 hours drive away.

Having read the OP difficulties, this is what I was told . I have to go have my HIV/syphilis/ TB skin test done at the health center, once I have these results I can then make an appointment to have the rest of the physical done at the civil surgeons office. She said if the skin reaction was larger than 5 mm then I would need to have a chest X RAY. I too had the BCG when I was 13 so I'd expect some reaction.

I'm concerned as I thought the exam took place altogether ie blood tests etc but she said this is how they do it. The blood tests are free at the health dept apart from the TB skin test which is $10, the physical I was told was $ 50. I already have a letter re my vaccinations as I had them all done back in 2004 when I first came on a K1 so that shouldn't be a problem..

I'm not worried about running around ,I have the time (not allowed to work yet) but don't have hardly any money so in that respect it would be a good option for me. What I am worried about is whether the medical exam will be accepted by INS. I don't to mess anything up . it has already taken nearly two for my I360 to be approved and to be allowed to AOS.

Can anyone give any insight ?

Thanks

Shona

Edited July 10, 2007 by Fady