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TB test - Remicade

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Posted 5/7/2015 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
For you of those on Remicade or any biologic, do you guys have to do a yearly TB test?

My GI is very adamant about me getting one every year. Which is sort of a pain because he is a half hour a way so I go there, get the TB injection then go back again for the 48 hour read. Normally I don't mind but it just so happens that have go back there AGAIN on Monday for my Remicade infusion.

I was just curious how often you guys get a TB test.
Posted 5/7/2015 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Pretty much any urgent care and even some pharmacies can perform PPDs (TB skin test). I got mine at CVS last year. I see no reason why your GI shouldn't accept a faxed report from a provider closer to you.
Posted 5/7/2015 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Really? CVS can do them? I should check into that because even though I just had the read today, it would be so much easier to do it that way since I literally have a CVS 2 minutes from my house.
Posted 5/8/2015 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Nope. I've only had 1 before starting remicade. Not sure if I should, my GI hasn't mentioned it, but I don't really see the point for yearly ones unless you work in healthcare like a hospital or nursing home, or have traveled to Asia or something. Other than that there's not a huge chance you'll get TB. It's contagious, but not easily caught unless you're in close quarters with someone who has it.
Posted 5/8/2015 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I only had one TB test just before I started Humira, I get regular blood work done but so far no mention of doing another TB test unless he brings it up on Monday which I kinda hope not since I find it to be annoying having to be careful with my arm for those 3 days (if I recall correctly) so I'd rather not have to do that test again.
Posted 5/8/2015 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
last time i had one they did a test that didn't need to be read. I guess it was check for in the blood.
Posted 5/8/2015 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
My infusion center requires an annual test.
Posted 5/8/2015 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I get annual tb tests.

Walgreens does them:
PPD/Tuberculosis testing $28.00
Under health screenings & testing
www.walgreens.com/topic/healthcare-clinic/price-menu.jsp
Posted 5/8/2015 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
Yearly test. My GI is now using the Quantiferon Gold TB assay test, which is a blood test. It makes my life easier since my GI is an hour drive from my home.
Posted 5/8/2015 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Cvs has it for the same price. Oddly enough, they don't accept insurance.
m.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/wellness-and-physicals/tb-testing/_/N-d9Zbto4Zd5

m.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/price-lists?WT.ac=MC-C-SVC-SERVICES_PRICE_LIST-MCBCC0003-70814-940-OP
Posted 5/8/2015 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
My insurance required it before they would approve my scripts for Humira and Simponi; I never had that issue with Remicade after the first script, I was on Remicade for 5 years.
Posted 5/8/2015 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm I don't pay for this test so even though it's a pain to do all that traveling I guess I will stick going to my GI's.
Posted 5/8/2015 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
No, only had 1 tb test before taking humira. I don't see the reason behind every year
Posted 5/8/2015 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah Sherry I'd maybe ask your doctor why an annual one is necessary.
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