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on Remicade with positiv TB skin test?

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Posted 5/7/2008 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Is anyone on Remicade with postive skin test for TB?  I heard you can get an antibody test to see if you can go on Remicade..

Post Edited (danbaek) : 5/8/2008 10:43:59 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/8/2008 9:47 AM (GMT 0)
Here's a bump for you, Dan. I hope you get some answers soon.
Posted 5/8/2008 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dan, i have been on remicade for almost 5 years and I now no-side effects from the drug. You do get TB tested once a year.
Posted 5/8/2008 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Remicade for some time, and I didn't have a positive TB test. But, my GI did inform me that if the TB test came back positive, it would be because of latent TB, and I could still get Remicade, but would have to be treated for the TB first.
Posted 5/8/2008 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Gosh, I could have sworn I replied yesterday but I guess I never hit submit! Here it goes again!

I had a positive PPD back in 1990. Back then (way before Crohn's dx or symptoms) it was explained to me that I had been exposed to the TB virus and was carrying it around (latent) and it could activate at any time. I was given the choice to either watch it and treat if it ever activated or treat as a precaution. I chose the latter and took Izoniazid (INH) for a year. Once a PPD is positive, it will always be positive. So now I just get chest x-rays. I've been on whatever immune suppressing drug (Remicade, Humira and now Tysabri) and never had a problem.

I recommend you see a pulmonary specialist to treat the latent TB. I am not sure you will be able to take Remicade without treatment of the TB.

Also, a word of warning that I was not given... do not allow another skin test! If you were positive the first time, it will be positive again. Each time it gets worse. It is an allergic reaction and like all allergic reactions they get worse with each exposure. I didn't know that and allowed the person to retest. My bump was as big as a golf ball the second time around! I've had clinical trial people try to get me to do a PPD and I refuse.

Good luck!
Posted 5/9/2008 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys.  I am trying to setup a consultation with the doctor who invented Remicade in Ceders to see if I'm a candidate. According to my GI doctor, he's a good friend of his.  eyes   Well I hope this would stop the bleeding I've been having for good 8 months.  This forum is very informative and helpful.  I wouldn't have imagined about hookwarm(been reading other posts) :-) if it wasn't for this site.  lol
Posted 5/9/2008 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
I also had a positive PPD after returning home from Africa in 2000 and started working for the CDC. They almost pooped their pants when my screening test came back so blazingly positive. I went the INH route like sr5599; went in every month to the health department to get blood tests to check my liver function, then finished the course after 9 months. I have to get a chest x-ray every year or so, but that's it. Have you talked to your doctors about doing the INH treatment?
Posted 5/9/2008 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
I believe my GI doc. mentioned about that. The thing is I work at a hospital as Rad. Tech. & I would eventually come across someone with TB. My fear is if I get treated for TB with INH and then somehow get exposed to it again.
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