|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 64
|
Dear All
The TB test was my last hurdle to get over and now I have got a positive test result. I am really upset as I have been told that I will have to go and see someone at the chest clinic and most probably go on some medicine for TB for up to 9 months. I was looking forward to starting on Humira even though I was apprehensive. My chest x ray was fine and I feel fine. Has anyone else had a positive result, and if you did, did you take medicine. I would also like to know if the TB test had to be re done prior to the Humira being prescribed.
Just for information, a positive result means that I must have a sometime been exposed to someone who has TB and that I have antibodies in my lungs which means I could go on to develop it later in life.
Please will you reply if you did have a positive test as I am really upset at the moment and this is yet another waiting game.
Regards
Val
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
Hi Val,
I had a positive test!
I went on a trial for humira and had the test which turned out to be positive. I didn't have to see a chest specialist but I did have to take Isoniazid for 9 months.
I was still accepted onto the trial and had the humira along with the isoniazid. When the trial finished I was allowed to carry on with humira because it had helped me so much, and I am still on it.
My chest x-ray done at the same time as the TB test was fine, and I haven't had one since then (it was 3 years ago).
Hope this is helpful to you, bear in mind that this was a trial with strict qualifying criteria and I was still allowed to have humira, so don't despair!
Doreen xx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Hi Val
I am so sorry you are upset about your test result. You must be feeling gutted right now but take heart from what Doreen has told you. It doesn't mean you can't take anti tnfs just maybe a bit later than you hoped. Keep positive.
Sheila x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
|
hi Val,
ohh you must be devasted.
but take heart from Doreen's post,
let's hope they can work the same out for you.
good luck,
Suzanne x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
|
BUM! VAl! BUM!
that is BUM news....!
at least its not a blanket no.
several people I have known have "latent TB" and with treatment have been fine to go on the drug.
All the best to you
Jenni xxhow to be a velvet bulldoser
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 64
|
Thanks for all your replies. Just to update you, I have been told that I will be seen by the chest specialist within 2 weeks!! Then I will have to take some medicine for 3 months but should be able to start anti tnf after taking the medicine for 6 weeks. The nurse also confirmed that if you have had a TB vaccination as a child then a positive TB test will be the result, but they will not take any risks at all if you are going on anti tnf treatment. It would appear to be a belt and braces exercise.
I will keep you posted
Regards
Val
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
|
Oh what great news Val ! As time seems to pass so quickly these days, it won t be too long til you get started on the anti-tnf.  Lots of best wishes Julia x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
|
ladygolfer wrote: The nurse also confirmed that if you have had a TB vaccination as a child then a positive TB test will be the result, but they will not take any risks at all if you are going on anti tnf treatment. ... Val Hmm.. that's odd! I had a TB vaccination when I was 9 as one of our teachers came down with TB and the whole school had to be vaccinated. My TB test result, prior to starting anti-tnf, came back negative! Oh, please don't tell me I'm any more quirky  I would like to fit into the 'normal' pattern for everything ... just for once! Lyn x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
I had a TB vaccination at 13 but I was a nurse so may have been in contact with TB.
My test was hugely positive, but chest x-ray was fine.
I hated having to take the Isoniazid but it was the only way I could have the humira.
Doreen xx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Hi Val. That's great news. Hope you are seen by the chest specialist sooner than later. If you remember Val, ask the chest specialist to confirm what the nurse said about TB vaccinations as a child. When I was a child it was routine to have TB jabs. Surely not everyone from that era and many years before and after would show positive.
Sheila x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
|
Hello Val,
Sorry that you have proved positive for TB however I am pleased that your
appointment was much more positive.
I am sure that Doreen post is up lifting.
Take care.
Rose
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 64
|
just thought I would update you all. I have just received my appointment to go and see the chest specialist, its on September 28th which I think is totally unacceptable. Once seen I then have to take the ant TB medicine for 3 months, I may be able to start anti tnf once I have been taking it for 6 weeks, so at best I think it will be around Christmas time before I start, - I think 'upset' best describes how I feel. Valjavascript:insertsmiley('  %20','/members/forum/YAF/images/emoticons/msp_sad.gif')
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
Hi Val,
I agree that having to wait till the end of September to see the chest specialist is totally unacceptable.
Could your rheumy consultant prescribe the anti-TB drugs, then at least you could make a start on them now?
What if you really did have TB.....waiting all that time for treatment is not on. I know they presume the positive test is probably because you had a BCG vaccine but they can't be certain of that so you should be seen earlier than September.
I got my anti-TB drugs straight away and didn't have to see a chest specialist , that's probably because I was on a trial.
Could you speak to your rheumy nurse and ask if they could speed things up for you?
Doreen xx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Hi Val. I agree with others. Definitely unacceptable. I would ring the secretary and ask for an earlier appointment. I have done this with several consultants secretaries. It has worked every time. If you don't ask, you don't get. Good luck.
Sheila x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/14/2011 Posts: 301 Location: South Hampshire
|
Hi Val
I would ring as well. Usually the consultant's secretary's are the most helpful. It's worth a few phone calls.
Regarding the TB vaccination. I was had the BCG when I was 13 years old and was tested for TB just before starting Humira 6 months ago. My test result was negative. The problem I had was that my mum had TB before I was born, and that took 2 weeks to get the OK for!! It was considered not relevant and I was allowed to start the humira - which is doing well so far (5 months in).
Take care.
Anne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
