Just Diagnosed with TB | Arthritis Information

 

And my Rheumy called to tell me my sugar level is way too high. I know I may have Diabetes, still testing on that. MY Rheumy did a test for TB, came back positive, sent me lung Specialist, they say I have TB now, doing test Monday to find out if it is active TB. My last TB test 2 years was neg. but this one is still burning and red after a week! I just can not figure out who I was in contact with that has TB, I do not go out oftem, I have no friends that visit, nor do I feel like visiting friends!

What next Lord?Unfortunately, it doesn't have to be someone you know - just someone who coughs on you. With your screwed up immune system, you're more vulnerable than the majority of the public. Just one  more of the joys of RA. Sigh. 

Right before I was going on Enbrel, I had to have a TB Test done.  My test came out positive but I had no active TB.  When a PPD skin test shows positive, it normally means that you can have latent TB.  It's in your body system but not active and not a threat to society.  They will do further test to see if it is Latent TB or real TB.  I was put on INH and B6 for 9 months.  FIONA is correct.  You could have been around some one who coughed.  Many people walk around with TB and do not realize they have it, until the later stages of TB.

Don't give up hope, it still could come out as Latent TB and you will be just fine.

My best to you.

Thanks for the info and posts, whever is on a Bio should be careful and take TB test to be sure, it can kill you.

God Bless all who are sick and heavy laden....Take care,

 

Robert

Prayers and well wishes to you!!!!

Should we be tested for TB every so often? I've never given TB a thought. This RA is a big pain in the ARSE!!! 

RBW, I wish you well.

Trisha

Before I started on Enbrel I had to have a TB test. I was told that if it was dormant in your body the Enbrel could wake it up. Mine was negitive so I started the Enbrel. You made me think though about using caution about being around others with illness. I have a friend fighting HepC, should I be concerned? Stay hopeful Robert, thanks Rain When they were going to put me on the Humira, I had a TB test - you need one for any of the biologics. When I started MTX, I had to have a chest x-ray. RA can cause lung damage by itself, but the treatments really can do damage. They have to stay on top of it. If you are on any of the biologics, Trisha, you should have been tested.

It is a good idea to get a physical and update you TB and tetanus from time to time. You should check with your RD before getting any vaccinations though because you can have problems with them and many RA meds. But if the doc okays it, the flu shot and pnuemococcal vacc. are good ideas too.

Fiona, I did have a chest x-ray before I started the MTX. Gosh, it is SO much to know about this RA.

Crunchy, I was wondering about the flu shot. I get  that every year. I was also going to ask my RA about a pnuemococcal vacc. as I've never had that shot. I don't know when the last time I had a tetanus shot, and I haven't had a TB test since I was pregnant, & that has been sometime ago.

Thank you for the info.

Trisha

 

My RA doctor said to always get the flu shot and he said for me to get the pneumonia shot too.  They did not have the serium when I was there so when I was at my primary's office, I asked about.  They would not give it to me because I had taken my Humira shot the day before and they did not know if it would be safe.  So I went back to RA doctor, told him about it and he just laughed and said it was ok to get the shot, it was not a live virus.  Then his office was going to give me the shot and the serium expired the day before so they would not use that serium.  Back to primary, told them what the RA doctor said, they gave me the shot and I had no reaction from it.  Whew!  I am tired thinking about that one!    In the beginning of the flu shot season, you should be one of the first getting the shot.  

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