Boulder in our way again

[RO_AH 1,659]

On 3/10/2021 at 11:18 PM, Murph4865 said:

I could not tell you the results from 2017 we let everything go, she must have been positive at that point cause she had antibiotics to take for 6 to 7 months so we let K1 expire at that time plus she was getting cold feet of leaving also at that time.
So we just did the cr1 route instead and now this again.  I am thinking of having every family member tested for this stuff cause with the strict lock downs and mask and shield and not being able leave the house she should not have come down with anything since planddemic started, getting frustrated.

TB does not just go away untreated. If this happened before you should have been expecting this. Did she pass the smear test the first time but fail the culture? Be prepared if she fails, because she will need to complete the treatment this time in order to pass the medical. She really should have completed the treatment the first time even if she was getting cold feet. I wish you the best! My wife will be getting her culture results in April.

[Murph4865 597]

1 hour ago, RO_AH said:

TB does not just go away untreated. If this happened before you should have been expecting this. Did she pass the smear test the first time but fail the culture? Be prepared if she fails, because she will need to complete the treatment this time in order to pass the medical. She really should have completed the treatment the first time even if she was getting cold feet. I wish you the best! My wife will be getting her culture results in April.

The first time she come up positive on smear and was given meds for 6 months, this time the smear test was negative but her chest Xray was blurry they said which is what triggered it this time.

[Murph4865 597]

4 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

Did she receive treatment in the past, if she tested positive?

Yes she had to be on 6 months worth of meds the first time we did this in 2017.

[brightfuture78 118]

15 hours ago, Murph4865 said:

Yes she had to be on 6 months worth of meds the first time we did this in 2017.

I'm still not sure what you mean by this. Did she complete the treatment in 2017 or not? Hopefully she didn't start taking the meds and then quit part way through - that might actually be worst than not starting the treatment at all. 

[Skyman 321]

On 3/17/2021 at 5:01 PM, Murph4865 said:

The first time she come up positive on smear and was given meds for 6 months, this time the smear test was negative but her chest Xray was blurry they said which is what triggered it this time.

There has been speculation that the XRay machine at St. Luke's has a spot on it which accounts for the high number of TB fails.  No idea if there is any truth to this.  Hang in there.

 

I don't know about your wife but I have a devil of a time getting my wife to take meds.  She would rather ride out a headache than take a simple aspirin or tylenol.  She wants to stop antibiotics when she feels better so I have keep insisting she take the full course.  I believe this is not uncommon among Filipinos.  Hope your wife completed the 6 months before.  And will do so again if need be.

Edited March 19, 2021 by Skyman

[nelmagriffin 148]

Greetings,

The 6 months medication treatment must be done " DOT " (direct observation treatment) meaning she has to be there in Manila for 6 months to have someone watch while taking medication, Its purpose is to make sure that one is taking its treatment everyday and complete it. As the common problem of TB treatment is failing to complete its treatment. I am not sure if they even allow for other hospital/your doctor's clinic in your area to have it done there instead in Manila, but the last time that I heard it must be done in Manila. (They will instruct you.) Also, even when you are in the USA, CDC will follow up with you. I am thinking every year if I am not mistaken. NG

 

Also,

Reference: Does a scar due to TB always show on an x-ray? (ndtv.com)

Can TB scar tissue Harden?

The scar tissue and lymph nodes may eventually harden, like stone, due to calcium deposition in the scar. These scars due to old healed tuberculosis lesions can be seen on x-rays. However, all cases of old treated TB may not lead to scar formation.

 

Q: Will a scar due to tuberculosis show on an x-ray, even if the disease had been in the past?

A:During the course of tuberculosis- infection bacteria, the inhaled bacteria enter the lungs, where they multiply and cause a local lung infection. The surrounding lymph nodes may also become involved and usually increase in size. The body's immune system tries to fight off the infection, and stop the bacteria from spreading to other parts of the body, by forming scar tissue around the TB bacteria and isolating it from the rest of the body. If the body is able to form scar tissue (also known as fibrosis) around the TB bacteria, then the infection is contained in an inactive state. Such an individual typically has no symptoms and cannot spread TB to other people. The scar tissue and lymph nodes may eventually harden, like stone, due to calcium deposition in the scar. These scars due to old healed tuberculosis lesions can be seen on x-rays. However, all cases of old treated TB may not lead to scar formation.

Edited March 19, 2021 by nelmagriffin

[nelmagriffin 148]

"  it’s called directly observed treatment – or DOT for short."

[Murph4865 597]

Has anyone heard of the sputum testing being negative but the 2 month culture coming positive?  Just wondering maybe overthinking things but i am looking outside the box. My wife’s sputum test was negative and and nurse told here to come back may 11th and immediately go to vaccination to be given shots.

 

we are thinking by her being told that she is gonna be cleared for her medical to re-schedule the interview.

[brightfuture78 118]

1 hour ago, Murph4865 said:

Has anyone heard of the sputum testing being negative but the 2 month culture coming positive?  Just wondering maybe overthinking things but i am looking outside the box. My wife’s sputum test was negative and and nurse told here to come back may 11th and immediately go to vaccination to be given shots.

 

we are thinking by her being told that she is gonna be cleared for her medical to re-schedule the interview.

Yes. This exact thing happened to my fiancé - smears negative, culture positive.