Hello, I'm writing because I'm very stressed out and I've found this board very comforting in the past. I just had a TB skin test today, and now there's a slight red swelling. I don't feel too ill, but my chest does hurt a little. It was supposed to be chest wall pain or pleurisy--I had a pneumothorax a couple of months ago. My IBS has gotten much worse. Can the patch of skin swell up if you don't have TB? Like if the nurse gave you the shot more shallowly than usual, as she mentioned? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for calming the nerves, beesides valium? Thank you so much.Shauna
Worried about TB--IBS flare up
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I really don't know for sure what is going on, but I remember that last time I had a TB test there was some slight swelling at first. And again, for calming the nerves, for me what works best is taking my mind off of it by watching mindless TV or something.Sorry I don't have any specific help but wanted you to know that someone is still awake and hopes you find that all is well soon.nancy
I really don't know for sure what is going on, but I remember that last time I had a TB test there was some slight swelling at first. And again, for calming the nerves, for me what works best is taking my mind off of it by watching mindless TV or something.Sorry I don't have any specific help but wanted you to know that someone is still awake and hopes you find that all is well soon.nancy
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Reading, walking, cleaning. Activity can be helpful for calming the nerves.You can have a postive test if you have been exposed, but it is not active. They usually check for swelling, etc at the 48-72 hour mark. Some people will have an initial swelling just because they got injected (why they do postivie and negative controlls for allergy tests. Some people's skin will react right away) and if I remember initially there is a bubble.With all the lung problems you are having it sounds reasonable to do a TB test just to be sure. Being sick is physically and often emotionally stressful so that can increase the IBS all by itself. K.
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Reading, walking, cleaning. Activity can be helpful for calming the nerves.You can have a postive test if you have been exposed, but it is not active. They usually check for swelling, etc at the 48-72 hour mark. Some people will have an initial swelling just because they got injected (why they do postivie and negative controlls for allergy tests. Some people's skin will react right away) and if I remember initially there is a bubble.With all the lung problems you are having it sounds reasonable to do a TB test just to be sure. Being sick is physically and often emotionally stressful so that can increase the IBS all by itself. K.
Kmottus is right; just because the test is reacting doesn't mean it is positive yet and does not mean you have TB. It is common for the skin to react with some reddness which is NOT a positive skin test. Only a trained medical person can accurately evaluate whether there is induration (swelling under the skin) at 48-72 hours after the test. Even if that is positive, a chest xray and sputum cultures (tests on the stuff you cough up) must be done before a diagnosis is made. TB can be treated with antibiotics that you take for 6-12 months. Hang in there and good luck.
Kmottus is right; just because the test is reacting doesn't mean it is positive yet and does not mean you have TB. It is common for the skin to react with some reddness which is NOT a positive skin test. Only a trained medical person can accurately evaluate whether there is induration (swelling under the skin) at 48-72 hours after the test. Even if that is positive, a chest xray and sputum cultures (tests on the stuff you cough up) must be done before a diagnosis is made. TB can be treated with antibiotics that you take for 6-12 months. Hang in there and good luck.
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