TB test & CIDP?
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December 5, 2010 at 2:21 pm
To make a very long story short…
Emily’s best friend tested positive for TB infection. She is being treated with antibiotics for 9 months. Since Emily & her friend have spent so much time together I am slightly concerned that they may have both picked up the TB from the same place.
I contacted Emily’s pediatrician about testing for TB. Originally I wanted the TB blood test but the dr researched it & there hasn’t been any testing on IVIG & the TB blood test…so that leaves us the with skin test.
I’m wondering if anyone has researched the 2 together or if anyone has had the skin TB since being dx’d with CIDP. I’m worried about Emily having it done. She’s been doing so well & I worry it will send her into a relapse. I also worry that maybe someone who donated plasma may have the TB antibodies & that could cause a false positive.
I plan on having it done over Christmas break from school & as close to her IVIG treatment as possible.
Thanks.
Kelly -
December 5, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Hi Kelly,
How about Emily getting a chest xray instead? Sorry that you are facing another glitch.
Laurel -
December 5, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Hey Laurel – So this is what makes the story long…
Her friend tested positive via skin test but has a negative chest x-ray. She was adopted from Guatemala as an infant & was given the BCG vaccine (for TB). Some people who receive the vaccine report having a false positive w/a reaction less than 3 mm. The friend’s reaction was 3 inches – therefore being dx’d with TB infection NOT TB disease. Apparently a TB infection doesn’t always show up on an x-ray.
It’s all very complicated & confusing.
I discussed all of this with Emily’s pediatrician & he believes it’s worth looking into for Emily, just to be sure. And if the friend’s chest x-ray was clear then we can’t just rely on a chest x-ray for Emily.
And believe me…I brought up just doing the chest x-ray.
Kelly
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December 5, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Check out the NIH? urlhttp://report.nih.gov/nihfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=31&key=Turl
As I believe they are very up to date on this one!
TB is a peculiar illness…. no one knows reallly why some ‘get’ it and others don’t.
I had to do a tb skin punch test ages ago because someone who worked there [and was on extended sick leave] had it. The affected person recovered after about 2-3 years and was just fine afterwards tho.
I admire your diligence about testing Emily! I’d do the exact same thing if she were mine.
As for doing the test? I’d ask your neuro….. My own has suggested flu shots and surgeries be done about 10-14 days after an infusion if on a 28 day schedule. That way, you get the best of the peak effects and don’t wipe them out rite after an infusion. Kind of like being as ‘close to normal’? as one can be? And, some of my surgeries were MAJOR. You get my gist, I hope.
For this kind of thing? I’m gonna hope for NEGATIVES all the WAY! Hope and hugs! -
December 5, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I’m not a big BCG fan. I had one in nursing school and then several years later had a positive skin test (huge at least a couple of inches), had xrays etc. It turned into a big ordeal and I did not have TB or TB infection. In the end they concluded it was me being very sensitive as a result of the BCG. I agree you can’t be too careful with TB and it is rearing its ugly head again.
Laurel
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