Sputum culture results are now available

[lloydegbrick]

Hello all,

I'm sorry for not being on here as often as I would like to be.

I hope you all are doing ok?

All this waiting is very nerve wracking upon us both.

Her sputum test shows that she is in the clear and no sign of any TB in her lungs.

My wife is still undergoing medication for the TB.
She has to finish the course, which altogether will be 6 months by the end of August.
She went to the clinic 25th June.
Her next appointment is 27th July.

We carry on with this until the end of August. Hopefully this will be the last appointment, then we will get the certificate at that time time.

Fingers crossed, and touch wood!

The last time we met was almost a year ago come July 14th 2014.
We have been constantly in touch with each other almost every day now, plus phone calls, emails, texting, every day.

Do you think I should go over there again to show the visa people that we are still in touch and that we are as keen as ever?

Thanking you all for this invaluable site that you have here - keeping up to date with what is going on in the visa application world - as I'd be totally at a loss on what to do next without it.

Regards

[lloydegbrick]

I almost forgot to mention that my wife has to go back to the clinic each month until the end of August, her next trips is for the 25th of May for further X-rays

Dear all
Correction here
The date of my wife's next appointment is on the 17th August at the TB clinic in Manila
After being on medication for 6 months I hope her next X-Ray will show that her lungs are clear

Thank you
LG

[jonn23]

Hello all,

I'm sorry for not being on here as often as I would like to be.

I hope you all are doing ok?

All this waiting is very nerve wracking upon us both.

Her sputum test shows that she is in the clear and no sign of any TB in her lungs.

My wife is still undergoing medication for the TB.
She has to finish the course, which altogether will be 6 months by the end of August.
She went to the clinic 25th June.
Her next appointment is 27th July.

We carry on with this until the end of August. Hopefully this will be the last appointment, then we will get the certificate at that time time.

Fingers crossed, and touch wood!

The last time we met was almost a year ago come July 14th 2014.
We have been constantly in touch with each other almost every day now, plus phone calls, emails, texting, every day.

Do you think I should go over there again to show the visa people that we are still in touch and that we are as keen as ever?

Thanking you all for this invaluable site that you have here - keeping up to date with what is going on in the visa application world - as I'd be totally at a loss on what to do next without it.

Regards

I just wanna ask why despite the sputum test result is negative, your wife has still to undergo TB treatment? Isnt that bad for your health if you are taking medication for a disease that is not existing? Was your wife referred to a pulmonologist in Makati Med?

Thanks

[lloydegbrick]

Hi all
My wife has had 2 sputum test and the both showed negative
Today 17th August in the TB clinic in Manila my wife had her chest X-Ray taken
She has been on the medication for the last 6 months
Even after 2 sputum test which showed negative ?
The X-Ray today showed that she has something in her right lung
I ask my wife to ask the doctor if the sputum test showed negative?
Then why does it show it is not clear in the X-ray?
I am confused and I'm wondering what is going on at this clinic?
I know that most of us have some mucus in our body and some have more than others?
Something does not feel right and I am blow if I know what it is?
does anyone have some suggestions? Thanks
LG

[Doc Alan]

Unfortunately TB case-finding and diagnostics are not perfect. Pre-entry screening is an attempt to diagnose active TB, which of course remains relatively common ( but not always diagnosed ) in the Philippines and needs treatment.


Sputum smear microscopy alone fails to detect TB bugs in up to half of cases, as a very large number need to be present to actually see them. " Culture " of the sputum sample – attempting to grow the TB bugs in special media over several weeks - may then be needed to confirm a suspected TB diagnosis.


The X-ray " mucus "/ " shadow " seen originally was likely to be an area of inflammation and scarring which the specialists concluded was due to TB infection. Even after successful treatment, changes may persist which don’t necessarily mean active infection. To describe these as " mucus ", which we do all produce, may be unhelpful.


X-rays, other imaging techniques, and sputum tests ALL need to be interpreted in ADDITION to clinical examination, before active TB is either ruled out or diagnosed with enough certainty to justify treatment. There may be general symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, night sweats, fever, tiredness, persistent cough, and chest pain. Of course specialists are needed to interpret ALL these signs and symptoms to reach a diagnosis. If someone feels healthy with none of these symptoms that’s clearly reassuring ( but screening is still a requirement ).



I understand your worry and confusion. The BEST people to explain " what is going on at this clinic " are the doctors who work there, who should be able to answer all questions that your wife ( and yourself ) may ask. These doctors, at the one clinic in the Philippines approved by UKBA, are specialists who have to regularly prove they’re up to date. Patients should ALWAYS ask questions that trouble them, and not leave the clinic until they have answers which they understand.

[lloydegbrick]

The BEST people to explain " what is going on at this clinic " are the doctors who work there, who should be able to answer all questions that your wife ( and yourself ) may ask. These doctors, at the one clinic in the Philippines approved by UKBA, are specialists who have to regularly prove they’re up to date. Patients should ALWAYS ask questions that trouble them, and not leave the clinic until they have answers which they understand.

Thank you for this Doc Alan

[lloydegbrick]

I just wanna ask why despite the sputum test result is negative, your wife has still to undergo TB treatment? Isnt that bad for your health if you are taking medication for a disease that is not existing? Was your wife referred to a pulmonologist in Makati Med?

Thanks

Hello Jonn
Yes it is a bit strange and I ask my wife to make sure she gets a good reason as to why she has to take that medication?
But it now seems to be a done thing if they are not sure if she had TB or not?

[lloydegbrick]

now they tell her that if this 3rd sputum shows negative?
They will give her the all clear certificate
They have also stopped her taking the medications now, thank heavens

[Arthur Little]

now they tell her that if this 3rd sputum shows negative?
They will give her the all clear certificate
They have also stopped her taking the medications now, thank heavens

GREAT news, Lloyde ... after ALL the time they've taken, you're bound to be so~o relieved!

[lloydegbrick]

GREAT news, Lloyd ... after ALL the time they've taken, you're bound to be so~o relieved!

Hello Arthur
Thank you but yes fingers cross she will get through this last test

[lloydegbrick]

Hello to you all
we finally have a date to visit the TB clinic in Manila
on Thursdays 12th November 2015 It's been about a year since her 1st check up
This is for the sputum results
Each time they have shown negative but they were not totally satisfied so for the 3rd time we will see what they have to tell us?

They did tell her on her last visit back 18th August, that if it still all clear this this time? They will give her the certificate....
It is all in the hands of the Gods now....
Regards to you all
LG

[lloydegbrick]

Hello to you all

Today my wife got her all clear TB test certificate
Many thanks for your help and guidance

Regards
LG

[Doc Alan]

Good news and thanks for updating us

[Terpe]

Hello to you all

Today my wife got her all clear TB test certificate
Many thanks for your help and guidance

Regards
LG

At last. What wonderful news.
Full steam ahead now with the visa work

Onwards and upwards