Positive Latent TB test

tiaeight

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 249

Posted 11/4/2008 6:25 AM (GMT 0)

Here we go. I was on Remicaide the past year. I tested negative for TB before I started. My new doctor wants to put me on Humira. I took the TB test three weeks ago and tested positive for Latent TB. So it is not active. So, according to Center for Infectious Disease office, I have to take the medication for 9 months. My doctor won't treat me for the flare that I am in for the next two months. He did call in a script for "abdominal discomfort" but hello??? 7 pounds in the last week lost because I am afraid to eat. Any words of wisdom or prior experiences? My daughter had a positive test but since her chest x-ray, like mine, was fine, she is not on any meds. Please help! Especially Lynn. Thanks everyone

randynoguts

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2003

Posts : 6298

Posted 11/4/2008 9:24 AM (GMT 0)

where do you live? have you been around homeless or immigrant populations , im sure the health dept already asked you, but just curious.

gachrons

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 4527

Posted 11/4/2008 12:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Is your daughter going to be treated as well. Maybe the treatment will also help your CD some of us do good on antibotics. lol gail

EruditePaul

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2006

Posts : 599

Posted 11/4/2008 2:40 PM (GMT 0)

Latent TB is very different from active TB. Latent TB is not contagious and is not dangerous to others.

In 2004, I was diagnosed of latent TB and was cleared of active TB. I do not know how long I have had latent TB. It could be 10 years or 30 years. In 2004, my doctor recommended me to have my latent TB treated. But I refused, because the medicine has side effects to my liver and takes too long. Latent TB could only be brought active when one's immune system is severely comprised, for instance, when Remecade is administered. My father has latent TB all his life. He is in his 70s.

sr5599

Veteran Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 1202

Posted 11/4/2008 5:24 PM (GMT 0)

I had a positive PPD back in college. My entire family tested negative, so who knows where I was exposed. I took INH for a year and now get chest xrays on regular basis. The do regular blood tests to check liver functionality. And it is a scary drug, but with Crohn's it's so important to be treated so that you can use the TNF meds. Latent TB and TNF blockers are a scary combo. Maybe you can use the dreaded steroids for the couple months until your doc says it's safe to start a TNF-alpha med? You really don't want TB on top of Crohn's... I know it's not what you want to hear, but once the TB goes into active phase (which is not unlikely on the TNF drugs) you then expose many others which get latent...

Not that you want to try Tysabri, but I was told that it does not carry the high risk of TB activation.

Good luck!!!

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