pinkimomoko

Hi, everyone

I am so glad that I found this group. this is my first post.

I am preparing to file for green card application. Went to civil
surgeon for medical on 9/20/06. I had skin test in 99' for school and
came out positive (17 mm), so the surgeon didn't give me another skin
test. The positive reaction should be due to my BCG and the school only
asked me to take x-ray every year. Because of the positive skin test in
99', the civil surgeon refered me to HD, then HD asked me to get a
private doc. The private doc talked to another doc and decided that I
should take INH for 9 months because, according to the "doc", I am
having LATENT TB. I tried to explained the BCG I had as a child, but
they still insist me going 9 months treatment. The civil surgeon told
me that if i don't start the treatment, they will not give me the
report. I really do not want to take the medication, because i believe
i have NO TB. The x-rays I had at school all those years have been all
crystal clear, so is the one I have at the civil surgeon's clinic. I
have also done some research on the internet and known that INH would
have several side effects. Even, I called the docs in my home country
and told them about my situation. They all told me that I do not need
the treatment.

For this medical, I have already waited for 4 weeks for my report
(which till now, i still have no idea when I will get it), and spent at
least $500 at the clinic (I had blood tests, X-ray, and first Hap B
shot done already).

Tomorrow, I have to go see this "specialist" doc that my private doc
insist me to go to. She said that maybe I will "feel better" about
takeing INH after I talk to the specialist doc. I see no point to go
because no matter what I explain, he/she is going to tell me: "you have
latent TB!! and you might die from it!"

I talked to my lawyer about this, and she suggested me to drop the
medical and go to another doc. I live in IL, and my lawyer is in CA (a
friend recommended this lawyer and the fee is cheaper in CA too). He
told me to go to one in CA where his clients go to.

I was wondering:
Do i really need the treatment? Anyone there have had similar
experience?
Can I go to the civil surgeon in CA tho i live in IL? Will that look
suspicious to INS?
If I choose to go under the treatment, Will this remain on my record?
Is it bad?

This whole medical makes me angry and feel like I am from a very dirty
country and americans are scared of me.
I really appreciate any valid and helpful suggestions from you. Thanks
a Lot!!

Cookie

ian-mstm

I find it interesting that you *never* mention which country you're from. However, to answer your questions... you and your doctor are the only ones who can answer the question of whether you really need the treatment. However, what are you going to do if you get to CA and the doctor there says the same thing? Are you going to complain that every doctor in the US is somehow against you? You can go to any doctor as long as they are on the approved list - start here: http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/exec/cs/index.asp. It will not look suspicious... you are, after all, attempting to comply with the rules. Personally, I believe that any medication you take is a private matter between you and your doctor but, even so, this may be mentioned on your medical certificate... so what?

You *always* have the choice to go to another doctor and to not take the treatment. It might mean abandoning your application for permanent residency... but you do have a choice.

Ian

Rete

The USCIS panel doctor should not just take your word that you have had a positive reaction to a tine test for TB. That is the purpose of the xray. It is used to determine that your lungs are free of the disease. Having latent TB is not a cause for rejection. Find another doctor, either in your city, state or California and have the medical all over again. Sounds like you have found a scam practice and the only way to truly ascertain that is to get a second opinion. In fact, why not see your primarily personal physician and have then do the xray before you go to another panel physician.

Ray

Go here and find another Civil surgeon in your area ....

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/exec/cs/index.asp

Folinskyinla

Hi:

Time for an attitude adjustment. The health ground of TB has been in the law for over a century.

Your attorney is being quite practical IMHO -- as with ANY medical opinion, it pays to get a second opinion. Nothing wrong with that.

Also, who is to say that the earlier medical opinions were correct?

Just take your attorney's advice for now, please?

Nilda

When I had my skin test on 2004 I came out positive which is not so surprising for me coz I came from a 3rd world country but that doesnt mean we have TB... According to the doctors it is just mean that I have come near or contact with someone with the desease or I came from a place where its present in the air and it will stay with your skin forever. My doctor advised me to have a chest x-ray and I was negative. After 2 years I was asked to have a TB test again and I brought my positive skin test with me so they just did me a chest x-ray again which comes to negative again. Heres the thing...when my sister had her skin test it was positive and when she had her chest x-ray the doctor saw a spot in her left lung which they thought is TB but my sister told them she never had a fever or cough so she requested a sputum test and guess what according to the test she has no TB. They said SPUTUM Test is the best test to know if you have a TB

What I dont Understand is whats your doctor's basis of telling you that you have a LATENT TB? Maybe he saw something in your x-ray?

Anyway, I think you can always have a second opinion...thats your choice.

Goodluck! .

---
posted via:
http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/

AdobePinon

This is quite common among US docs. There is a civil surgeon near here who always prescribes the nine month pills for positive skin tests. He is well known for being very nasty about it (the listserve at work is full of complaints) and hence most people go see someone else. I'd suggest that the OP do likewise.

Mh

In article <[email protected]> ,
AdobePinon <member31685@british_expats.com> wrote:
    >> When I had my skin test on 2004 I came out positive which is not so
    >> surprising for me coz I came from a 3rd world country but that
    >> doesnt mean we have TB... According to the doctors it is just mean
    >> that I have come near or contact with someone with the desease or I
    >> came from a place where its present in the air and it will stay with
    >> your skin forever. My doctor advised me to have a chest x-ray and I
    >> was negative. After 2 years I was asked to have a TB test again and
    >> I brought my positive skin test with me so they just did me a chest
    >> x-ray again which comes to negative again. Heres the thing...when
    >> my sister had her skin test it was positive and when she had her
    >> chest x-ray the doctor saw a spot in her left lung which they
    >> thought is TB but my sister told them she never had a fever or cough
    >> so she requested a sputum test and guess what according to the test
    >> she has no TB. They said SPUTUM Test is the best test to know if
    >> you have a TB
    >> What I dont Understand is whats your doctor's basis of telling you
    >> that you have a LATENT TB? Maybe he saw something in your x-ray?
    >> Anyway, I think you can always have a second opinion...thats
    >> your choice.
    >> Goodluck! .
    >> ---
    >> posted via:
    >> http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/
    >This is quite common among US docs. There is a civil surgeon near here
    >who always prescribes the nine month pills for positive skin tests. He
    >is well known for being very nasty about it (the listserve at work is
    >full of complaints) and hence most people go see someone else. I'd
    >suggest that the OP do likewise.

The doctor I went to for my "supplemental" I-693 wanted to give me a few
immunizations (TB or flu shot, IIRC), but when I finally showed him that I
didn't need it due to age, and that I had an up-to-date immunization list,
he agreed to do just the supplemental report for $35. I'd JUST spent $180 a
few months before, so I wasn't going to spend another $150-200 for these
immunizations. Especially when I was already paying for Kaiser health
insurance, and I'm sure I could have had it cheaper there.

Bottom line: call around. Try multiple doctors on the list. Can save you
LOTS of trouble in the end.

MH

pinkimomoko

AdobePinon wrote:
    > > When I had my skin test on 2004 I came out positive which is not so
    > > surprising for me coz I came from a 3rd world country but that
    > > doesnt mean we have TB... According to the doctors it is just mean
    > > that I have come near or contact with someone with the desease or I
    > > came from a place where its present in the air and it will stay with
    > > your skin forever. My doctor advised me to have a chest x-ray and I
    > > was negative. After 2 years I was asked to have a TB test again and
    > > I brought my positive skin test with me so they just did me a chest
    > > x-ray again which comes to negative again. Heres the thing...when
    > > my sister had her skin test it was positive and when she had her
    > > chest x-ray the doctor saw a spot in her left lung which they
    > > thought is TB but my sister told them she never had a fever or cough
    > > so she requested a sputum test and guess what according to the test
    > > she has no TB. They said SPUTUM Test is the best test to know if
    > > you have a TB
    > >
    > > What I dont Understand is whats your doctor's basis of telling you
    > > that you have a LATENT TB? Maybe he saw something in your x-ray?
    > >
    > > Anyway, I think you can always have a second opinion...thats
    > > your choice.
    > >
    > > Goodluck! .
    > >
    > > ---
    > > posted via:
    > > http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/
    > This is quite common among US docs. There is a civil surgeon near here
    > who always prescribes the nine month pills for positive skin tests. He
    > is well known for being very nasty about it (the listserve at work is
    > full of complaints) and hence most people go see someone else. I'd
    > suggest that the OP do likewise.
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

OH, My! Thanks for all the opinions you guys give me. I really
appreciate it.
I am from Taiwan, and everyone in Taiwan get BCG as a child.

Anyways, I went to the specialty doc yesterday, which my private doc
strongly recommended me to go to. (My private doc made this appointment
for me w/o asking me beforehand. She also said she had discussed my
situation with the specialty doc.) Long story short. The specialty doc
had no idea why my private doc refered me to her. She doesn't even have
my med record (which the private doc said she would fax it to her!) so,
i told her about my situation all over again. At first she said I am
okay, and just have to get annual chest x-ray. Then she said she wants
to know if my +ve reaction is due to BCG or TB infection and, again,
"strongly" recommended me to get QFTB blood test. I told her I don't
want to do the blood test at this point, but it would be nice if she
can write a letter to my surgeon stating that i only need annual chest
xray. She then said she isn't familiar with immigration regulation and
she needs to call my surgeon and ask about it. After she and the
surgeon talked on the phone, she said that it's okay if I don't want to
take INH or do the QFTB test, it's my choice. But they will assume that
I have latent TB. She also said that she can write a letter to the
surgeon about her recommendation (either take QFTB test or Annual xhest
xray). I told her, no thanks. I am going to find another doc and get
second opinion. She freaked out and asked who i am going to see. I said
i don't know yet, and paid and left the clinic.
What is more interesting is that, at first she siad she would not
recommend INH because sometime it could be toxic. However after she
talked to the surgeon and knew that INH is strongly recommended to
postive TB applicants, she then said that "oh, INH is fine, it's not
that bad." My husband then asked her how I will be monitored while
taking INH. She said "I don't know how to monitor it." Oh, what's more
is that I guess i lost a few pounds lately. She said to me, "that's a
sign of Active TB!!" Hello! I have been stressed out and not had very
good appetite, OK? Gee!
P.S. my husband and I found that my private doc and the specialty doc
all work for the same clinic (just in different building).

    > > What I dont Understand is whats your doctor's basis of telling you
    > > that you have a LATENT TB? Maybe he saw something in your x-ray?

All my chest x-rays are crystal clear for the past few years. And the
one I had last month at the civil surgeon was A-OK too.

I came home very upset after seeing the specialty doc. And then I read
the posts here. Most posters suggest me to get another surgeon. I think
that's probably what I am going to do now. Thanks, everyone! You guys
are really helpful!

What I am confused is that, how come I didn't have to take INH while I
was in school, And I have to take it now after I got out of school? SO,
it's all up to the doctors? They can decide who they want to precribe
INH?

Folinskyinla

Hi:

You are discussing medical issues here. Your lawyer gave you good advice -- go to another doc on the Civil Surgeon list. You know you will have a positive tuberculin test. Then you will have X-rays. Then see what that doc has to say. Do NOT mention the other doc.

Templar

> AdobePinon wrote:
> > > When I had my skin test on 2004 I came out positive which is not
> > > so
> > > surprising for me coz I came from a 3rd world country but that
> > > doesnt mean we have TB... According to the doctors it is just mean
> > > that I have come near or contact with someone with the desease or
> > > I
> > > came from a place where its present in the air and it will stay
> > > with
> > > your skin forever. My doctor advised me to have a chest x-ray and
> > > I
> > > was negative. After 2 years I was asked to have a TB test again
> > > and
> > > I brought my positive skin test with me so they just did me a
> > > chest
> > > x-ray again which comes to negative again. Heres the thing...when
> > > my sister had her skin test it was positive and when she had her
> > > chest x-ray the doctor saw a spot in her left lung which they
> > > thought is TB but my sister told them she never had a fever or
> > > cough
> > > so she requested a sputum test and guess what according to the
> > > test
> > > she has no TB. They said SPUTUM Test is the best test to know if
> > > you have a TB
> > >
> > > What I dont Understand is whats your doctor's basis of telling you
> > > that you have a LATENT TB? Maybe he saw something in your x-ray?
> > >
> > > Anyway, I think you can always have a second opinion...thats
> > > your choice.
> > >
> > > Goodluck! .
> > >
> > > ---
> > > posted via:
> > > http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/
> >
> > This is quite common among US docs. There is a civil surgeon near
> > here
> > who always prescribes the nine month pills for positive skin tests.
> > He
> > is well known for being very nasty about it (the listserve at work
> > is
> > full of complaints) and hence most people go see someone else. I'd
> > suggest that the OP do likewise.
> >
> > --
>
>
> OH, My! Thanks for all the opinions you guys give me. I really
> appreciate it.
> I am from Taiwan, and everyone in Taiwan get BCG as a child.
>
> Anyways, I went to the specialty doc yesterday, which my private doc
> strongly recommended me to go to. (My private doc made this
> appointment
> for me w/o asking me beforehand. She also said she had discussed my
> situation with the specialty doc.) Long story short. The specialty doc
> had no idea why my private doc refered me to her. She doesn't even
> have
> my med record (which the private doc said she would fax it to her!)
> so,
> i told her about my situation all over again. At first she said I am
> okay, and just have to get annual chest x-ray. Then she said she wants
> to know if my +ve reaction is due to BCG or TB infection and, again,
> "strongly" recommended me to get QFTB blood test. I told her I don't
> want to do the blood test at this point, but it would be nice if she
> can write a letter to my surgeon stating that i only need annual chest
> xray. She then said she isn't familiar with immigration regulation and
> she needs to call my surgeon and ask about it. After she and the
> surgeon talked on the phone, she said that it's okay if I don't want
> to
> take INH or do the QFTB test, it's my choice. But they will assume
> that
> I have latent TB. She also said that she can write a letter to the
> surgeon about her recommendation (either take QFTB test or Annual
> xhest
> xray). I told her, no thanks. I am going to find another doc and get
> second opinion. She freaked out and asked who i am going to see. I
> said
> i don't know yet, and paid and left the clinic.
> What is more interesting is that, at first she siad she would not
> recommend INH because sometime it could be toxic. However after she
> talked to the surgeon and knew that INH is strongly recommended to
> postive TB applicants, she then said that "oh, INH is fine, it's not
> that bad." My husband then asked her how I will be monitored while
> taking INH. She said "I don't know how to monitor it." Oh, what's more
> is that I guess i lost a few pounds lately. She said to me, "that's a
> sign of Active TB!!" Hello! I have been stressed out and not had very
> good appetite, OK? Gee!
> P.S. my husband and I found that my private doc and the specialty doc
> all work for the same clinic (just in different building).
>
> > > What I dont Understand is whats your doctor's basis of telling you
> > > that you have a LATENT TB? Maybe he saw something in your x-ray?
>
> All my chest x-rays are crystal clear for the past few years. And the
> one I had last month at the civil surgeon was A-OK too.
>
> I came home very upset after seeing the specialty doc. And then I read
> the posts here. Most posters suggest me to get another surgeon. I
> think
> that's probably what I am going to do now. Thanks, everyone! You guys
> are really helpful!
>
> What I am confused is that, how come I didn't have to take INH while I
> was in school, And I have to take it now after I got out of school?
> SO,
> it's all up to the doctors? They can decide who they want to precribe
> INH?

For international students, it's most likely the school policy of choice
between INH or annual X-ray while enrolled in school.

For immigration, I doubt there is a choice, since x-ray every year is
highly unpractical. Besides, even if you do have a choice, choosing
annual x-ray would be a totally crazy idea. The accumulated amount of
radiation exposure on your chest in yearly basis is a lot more harmful
than INH intake of several months in my opinion.

If you are not sure about the health risk of repeated radiation exposure
on your chest, just google it. If I were you, I would just take INH and
be done with it.

--

pinkimomoko

Folinskyinla wrote:
    > > AdobePinon wrote:
    > > > > When I had my skin test on 2004 I came out positive which is not
    > > > > so
    > > > > surprising for me coz I came from a 3rd world country but that
    > > > > doesnt mean we have TB... According to the doctors it is just mean
    > > > > that I have come near or contact with someone with the desease or
    > > > > I
    > > > > came from a place where its present in the air and it will stay
    > > > > with
    > > > > your skin forever. My doctor advised me to have a chest x-ray and
    > > > > I
    > > > > was negative. After 2 years I was asked to have a TB test again
    > > > > and
    > > > > I brought my positive skin test with me so they just did me a
    > > > > chest
    > > > > x-ray again which comes to negative again. Heres the thing...when
    > > > > my sister had her skin test it was positive and when she had her
    > > > > chest x-ray the doctor saw a spot in her left lung which they
    > > > > thought is TB but my sister told them she never had a fever or
    > > > > cough
    > > > > so she requested a sputum test and guess what according to the
    > > > > test
    > > > > she has no TB. They said SPUTUM Test is the best test to know if
    > > > > you have a TB
    > > > >
    > > > > What I dont Understand is whats your doctor's basis of telling you
    > > > > that you have a LATENT TB? Maybe he saw something in your x-ray?
    > > > >
    > > > > Anyway, I think you can always have a second opinion...thats
    > > > > your choice.
    > > > >
    > > > > Goodluck! .
    > > > >
    > > > > ---
    > > > > posted via:
    > > > > http://www.visaforyou.org/eng/
    > > > This is quite common among US docs. There is a civil surgeon near
    > > > here
    > > > who always prescribes the nine month pills for positive skin tests.
    > > > He
    > > > is well known for being very nasty about it (the listserve at work
    > > > is
    > > > full of complaints) and hence most people go see someone else. I'd
    > > > suggest that the OP do likewise.
    > > > --
    > > > Posted via http://britishexpats.com
    > >
    > > OH, My! Thanks for all the opinions you guys give me. I really
    > > appreciate it.
    > > I am from Taiwan, and everyone in Taiwan get BCG as a child.
    > >
    > > Anyways, I went to the specialty doc yesterday, which my private doc
    > > strongly recommended me to go to. (My private doc made this
    > > appointment
    > > for me w/o asking me beforehand. She also said she had discussed my
    > > situation with the specialty doc.) Long story short. The specialty doc
    > > had no idea why my private doc refered me to her. She doesn't even
    > > have
    > > my med record (which the private doc said she would fax it to her!)
    > > so,
    > > i told her about my situation all over again. At first she said I am
    > > okay, and just have to get annual chest x-ray. Then she said she wants
    > > to know if my +ve reaction is due to BCG or TB infection and, again,
    > > "strongly" recommended me to get QFTB blood test. I told her I don't
    > > want to do the blood test at this point, but it would be nice if she
    > > can write a letter to my surgeon stating that i only need annual chest
    > > xray. She then said she isn't familiar with immigration regulation and
    > > she needs to call my surgeon and ask about it. After she and the
    > > surgeon talked on the phone, she said that it's okay if I don't want
    > > to
    > > take INH or do the QFTB test, it's my choice. But they will assume
    > > that
    > > I have latent TB. She also said that she can write a letter to the
    > > surgeon about her recommendation (either take QFTB test or Annual
    > > xhest
    > > xray). I told her, no thanks. I am going to find another doc and get
    > > second opinion. She freaked out and asked who i am going to see. I
    > > said
    > > i don't know yet, and paid and left the clinic.
    > > What is more interesting is that, at first she siad she would not
    > > recommend INH because sometime it could be toxic. However after she
    > > talked to the surgeon and knew that INH is strongly recommended to
    > > postive TB applicants, she then said that "oh, INH is fine, it's not
    > > that bad." My husband then asked her how I will be monitored while
    > > taking INH. She said "I don't know how to monitor it." Oh, what's more
    > > is that I guess i lost a few pounds lately. She said to me, "that's a
    > > sign of Active TB!!" Hello! I have been stressed out and not had very
    > > good appetite, OK? Gee!
    > > P.S. my husband and I found that my private doc and the specialty doc
    > > all work for the same clinic (just in different building).
    > >
    > > > > What I dont Understand is whats your doctor's basis of telling you
    > > > > that you have a LATENT TB? Maybe he saw something in your x-ray?
    > >
    > > All my chest x-rays are crystal clear for the past few years. And the
    > > one I had last month at the civil surgeon was A-OK too.
    > >
    > > I came home very upset after seeing the specialty doc. And then I read
    > > the posts here. Most posters suggest me to get another surgeon. I
    > > think
    > > that's probably what I am going to do now. Thanks, everyone! You guys
    > > are really helpful!
    > >
    > > What I am confused is that, how come I didn't have to take INH while I
    > > was in school, And I have to take it now after I got out of school?
    > > SO,
    > > it's all up to the doctors? They can decide who they want to precribe
    > > INH?
    > Hi:
    > You are discussing medical issues here. Your lawyer gave you good
    > advice -- go to another doc on the Civil Surgeon list. You know you
    > will have a positive tuberculin test. Then you will have X-rays. Then
    > see what that doc has to say. Do NOT mention the other doc.
    > --
    > Certified Specialist
    > Immigration & Nat. Law
    > Cal. Bar Board of Legal Specialization
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com


Hi, Folinskyinla

OK. Thank you ^^

Cookie