Medical Issue

J

Jharkhandi

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

I am in process of filing my 140/485 concurrently. My lawyer suggested me to take medical tests. I tested positive on PPD test. Chest X-ray however was clear. Now my quesions are:

1. Can I expect any RFE on this issue? Any other issues?
2. I talked to my doctor in India. He says that it is OK to have bump of size 15 mm as I had BCG in India. (Mine was 16 mm.) He says I do not need any medication and I am convinced - he has always been correct in diagnosing my problems. I am yet to talk to my doctor in USA. Now, am I supposed to undergo medication or does it depends on my doctor's advice? What else can be done/people have done?

I am not really sure how big is this issue. Any feedback will be appreciated.

Moderator - can we have a dedicated link for medical issues which stays as one of top 5-10 thread?
 
Don't let it go so easily.....

Jharkhandi,

I was also tested positive in Skin Test my bump was measured to 15mm. Then they did chest X-ray which ofcourse was clear. BUT BUT still per INS medical form and doctor's instructions you need to take medications for 9 months. I don't have that medical form in front of me but Medical examiner did write on my medical sheet that candidate has to go thru the course of medication.

The course is of Isoniazid tablets one per day for 9 months. Pharmacy will give you 30 caps each month till 9 months and it costs about $5.50 every time.

I not only completed that course but also i had to go to a doctor and he checked my blood, billirubin etc twice. Once before medication and once after 1 months of medication. I was also supposed to go after 9 months upon completeion of course but i didn't go. I know from beginning that i don't have TB i mean how can i have it but i did have to fulfill their requirement. :mad:

I will see if i can find more details on that. other members please post ur experience.
 
TB Test

In my case, I told the nurse and the doctor that I tested positive before during university admission medical check and they said once you're tested positive you test positive forever.

So they skipped the skin test and went ahead to have me do chest x-ray and the result was clear. The made no mention of medical treatment.

When I picked up my result I asked the nurse to show me the copy of I-693 form (since they're not allowed to make a copy for us) and the doctor just signed it off ; no follow up required.
 
My experience back in 1996

Amcom just reminded me of my experience during my medical exam for Australian green card back in 1996; I tested positive for TB and they had me do chest x-ray and the result was clear.

And just like Amcom's doctor, my doctor put me in the same course of treatment despite the x-ray result and I just didn't bother to take it.

I think the follow-up treatment is dependent upon the doctor him/herself; some don't think it's necessary and some force you to take it. A lot of my friends tested positive for TB and normal for chest x-ray and their civil surgeons did not put them on medication.
 
sinting/jharkandi,

there are lots of things u can do in this situation...

1. take the full course of 9 months....
2. don't take the course and don't even bother like sinting did.
3. don't take the course but do buy all prescriptions all 9 months and keep the receipts for ur records in case INS issues u an RFE to check on that.
4. i don't know may be you can come up with ..........

BTW even if you complete the course you will still get PPD positive because if its +ve once its +ve always.

You don't have to guess which option i chose..... ;)
 
My wife had the same situation. Her doctor advised (read forced) her to take all the medication and she did. Every three months she had to go for a check up and also at the end of 9 months. One thing that doctor said that kind of made sense was, even though you may not have TB, you are at high risk when you come in contact with someone that has and in asia it is a fact that it is a prevelant disease. This may be true or may not be, so why take a chance.

Another thing that actually made my wife to go through her medication is that in the past some of the folks in her village have had TB and she just didn't want to take a chance.

As for RFE personally I have not heard of anyone getting an RFE for this reason. Few of my friends have tested PPD positive and have got their GC too without an RFE.
 
MXC

MXC,

Your friends who were PPD positive and got their GC approved w/o RFE, did their civil surgeons put them on follow up treatment ?
 
Another issue:

INS doctor did not suggest me any medication. His front-desk assistant showed me the report and there was no mention of follow-up with any doctor. They also gave me a courtesy copy of the same(I had asked for one.). There is no mention of any medication. From GC's perspective what does it means?
 
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