Scar on my lungs whenever I have my chest Xray

[WinzFred]

When I graduated last 1998 in a Bachelor's Degree, I was diagnosed to have a PTB Minimal Right when I had my Chest Xray. I undergo medication with streptomycin but not completed it because of poverty. On 1999, I repeat my medication with oral medz for TB but still not able to complete it because of the same reason that time minimal PTB was not sponsored yet by the government. In 2001, that's the time that I completed my medication for six months with complete DOTS theraphy but oral medz only, complete with rifampicin,isoniazid,pyrazinamide. But, when I had my chest xray again last January 2012, the result is PTB minimal bilateral but sputum smear is negative. So, I became a PTB Category II patient, medicated for 8 months with 56 vials of streptomycin and oral medz. Last October 2, is the completion of my treatment because the government has now sponsored it.  

My question goes like this? Is it possible that I am totally healed with my PTB since my medication is not stable the first time I was infected. I'm afraid that I will go far as MDR patient, please help me. It is really difficult when your problem is your health. As of now, I was not able to undergo the chest xray because I am 6 months pregnant. There is an opportunity for a regular position on my career but since this is my situation, a great hindrance to my success.

[jumanamer]

I just wanted to know about the chest x ray policy of gamca.

Recently i got a job in Saudi Arabia and my visa arrived in Pakistan through agency. Agency sent me to the gamca clinic everything is normal all blood test and other things are good. But, my chest x ray was not considered good the doctor said you have a chest infection due to cold and flu and your x ray is not normal. I do not have any TB history or Pneumonia either.

The gamca officials said that come back in 15 days and they will redo my medical. But i do not have much time please tell me what should I do. I know and confirmed from other chest doctors that the x ray result never shown any problem regarding TB or Pneumonia or fibrosis.


Please post the answers as soon as possible.

[fiyore]

before you make the x-ray drink a lot off milk or soya milk i hope this will help you.

[mr_go]

How can i hide my lung scar in my chest xray?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. Irregular treatment can lead to multidrug resistant tuberculosis. Like I said, it depends on what your present status is. If there is evidence of active tuberculosis, it may create a hinderance for your job. As you cannot take an X ray now and since you do not have any symptoms now, correlate with blood counts and an ESR, this is likely to show an active infection. Also, in the chest X ray, the old healed lesions will persist, its scar tissue.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[WinzFred]

Thanks Doc for your medical advice, it uplifts me. Truly, I did not feel any symptoms thank God. Another question doc, it is possible for me to pass the medical test, if I will be hired for a teaching position? This is my great fear actually because I may be rejected and did not find stable job at all because of my condition.  

[WinzFred]

Yes sir, it is 14 years!

Fortunately sir, I'm okay with my physical profile becuase I'm getting big now I am 58kg and my breathing is okay. Sometimes, I experience backache due to longer stay in the computer.

Thanks! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament.
Imaging studies can help determine if the lesion is a healed lesion if it shows fibrous tissue. Also, the PPD could be positive due to an old infection. This is correlated with clinical symptoms , like cough, evening rise of temperature, weight loss and blood tests, which will show a raised ESR and increased lymphocyte count, if it is an active infection. In the absence of which it is an old lesion.

So, a combined approach can help determine if you have persisting infection. To conclude, if you do not have any symptoms now and are in good health its unlikely you have developed resistant tuberculosis. So, please don't worry.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[Jerry_NJ]

I have some difficulty following your description, perhaps because it cover a large expanse of time, 14 year?  

Do you have breathing problem, difficulty getting enough air (oxygen)?  I'm not a doctor, but my reaction is a stable scar in the lungs that does not interfere with getting sufficient oxygen should not be a problem.

Perhaps my response will stimulate someone more helpful to respond.

Wish you a good outcome this Christmas