Yet another question on medicals
 

Hi all,

I need a bit of strategic advice:
I am one of the very few unlucky ones who, when given the BCG aka Calmette vaccination against the TB, developed TB due to an adversary reaction to the vaccine. It's really rare, but possible. I got the vaccine when I was 2 days old, and was diagnosed at the age of 15 months. I spent most of my second year in a hospital and was on medication for almost two years. I was pronounced cured in 1977. My TB was extrapulmonary, i.e. not in the lungs, instead the infection was in my ankle bone, which means that it was not as contagious as the pulmonary (=lung) TB.

My problem: I had to select YES in the EOI when they asked about infectious and communicable diseases, because TB is one even if I got it from the vaccine. In the explanation I wrote that I had extrapulmonary TB in 1975-1977, due to a reaction to the BCG vaccine and that I am completely cured from it. I am still sure that they will require some sort of an explanation or possibly a referral of my case to an assessor. I have just requrested a copy of my hospital files from the 1970's for my medical check up so that the GP doing the check can see my history and that it is all really in the past.

What would you folks do: try first with the GP's statement and then get a specialist report if the GP's statement of me being completely cured is not enought to convince NZIS OR get a specialist of infectious diseases to evaluate my case already now and include that in my report in the first place? :confused:

Active pulmonary TB is a reason for rejecting the application, but I never had pulmonary TB, nor is my TB been active since 1976. I know this won't be a reason to reject our application because I've OK for more than 30 years now, but I know I will need to explain my case because TB has such an awful reputation. Over the years I've had to explain this numerous times in different contexts, and I know this will rise eyebrows in NZIS.:unsure:

Are there anyone else who's had one of the NZIS no-no diseases in the past but were cured from it? How did your medical process go? Any tips how to best convince them that I really am no threat to the population or to the health care system???

Re: Yet another question on medicals
 

Nightmare ! Bloody nightmare Mcgee. I so know where you are coming from with this as my Dad had just the same via some Chemo donkeys years ago. Ever after, the med profession was convinced he'd had pulmonary TB, which he had not and that we had been exposed. This despite hospital tests and records to the contrary.

That doesn't help you I know but I just so feel for you with this.

My opinion only and I am full of my opinion :p

I wouldn't muck about with this at all. TB strikes fear into many a sensible heart and soul as we both know.

Get the specialist report and everything else you have to underpin and educate NZIS that you are a safe bet.

Re: Yet another question on medicals
 

Hi Mgee...I totally confer with Bevs.....don't mess about with GP reports. See your GP and ask to be referred to a consultant respiratory physician. It will cost but a small price to pay in order to realise your dream. Do it now as could take a while to sort out. Good Luck Hun

Re: Yet another question on medicals
 

Hi and thanks for the sympathy. I don't really know which doctor to contact, because since my tb was extrapulmonary, it's not a respiratory disease. I think I'll need to find a infectious diseases specialist, but not many of them have private surgeries. TB is a b*tch to have in your medical records because it always causes officials to freak out. Well, better be safe than sorry and find a specialist right away. :unsure:

Re: Yet another question on medicals
 

Hi Hun

A respiratory physician does deal with infectious diseases. All consultants do some form of private work. Just ask GP to refer you to the most respected physician.

Re: Yet another question on medicals
 

Hi Mgee

I was just sitting through reading the bump (Residence Medical Policy) that comes through with the ITA. Something caught my eye and I think it must be hope for you....bear with me, I will type it exactly as written

'The result of a medical referral will be one of the following:

1. The applicant is likely to have an acceptable standard of health
2. The applicant is unlikely to have an acceptable standard of health
3. The applicant should be deferred while the applicant undergoes treatment*
4. Further information is required to make an assessment
5 Refer to Medical Assessor (Radiologist)'

Anyway you will note there is an asterisk at the end of No. 3. Underneath this list the asterisk relates to this note

*Maximum deferral period of up to 6 months for pulmonary tuberculosis and 3 months for other treatable conditions at the discretion of the MA.

Now I know you did not have pulmonary TB............but my thinking is....if they are prepared to defer someone on discovery of Pulmonary TB for up to 6 months so that they may receive treatment for a treatable condition! I honestly can't see you having any problems with a specialist full report:thumbup:

Re: Yet another question on medicals
 

Thanks, Numptyhead! Have some karma!:thumbsup: