Medical Exam - X-ray Result Problem

[loveaboo 0]

Hello to all!

My fiance and I are still waiting for our NOA2 but we're planning ahead...

Anyways, I'm nervous about the X-ray test. I had a persistent cough from May to July. It wasn't really so bad. It's just that there were times I had cough attacks especially when it's so warm here. Since I'm not into taking chemically-prepared medicines, I didn't consult a doctor and I've taken herbal medicines only. Now, I'm worried that it might affect the X-ray result when the time comes.

I'm just curious about the people here who had a problem with their X-ray results at St. Lukes...Are you aware of the reason why you had the problem? If so, what was it?

Are there people here who had the same issue as mine? Did it cause a problem in your X-ray result?

I'm thinking of taking a chest X-ray before I take my medical exam though I'm not sure how helpful will it be since I've read in some posts here that the X-ray machine at SLEC is more advanced than the usual X-ray machines being used in others and that it has the ability to see something which other X-ray machines can't.

Thanks

Edited September 11, 2009 by loveaboo

[marriedtomrg 141]

Hi there.

I think it would be more heartbreaking in your case if you leave your peristent cough unchecked, it affects the outcome of your visa application.

If you are taking herbal medicine and you are still coughing...obviously it is not working.

I can understand your decision not to take anything that isn't natural...but it may be time to find other medicines that will eliminate your cough.

There isn't any price tag on peace of mind.

Hope you will consider seeing another alternative specialist very soon, while the NOA2 hasn't arrived yet. Better for you to catch that early than regret it later.

Hello to all!

My fiance and I are still waiting for our NOA2 but we're planning ahead...

Anyways, I'm nervous about the X-ray test. I had a persistent cough from May to July. It wasn't really so bad. It's just that there were times I had cough attacks especially when it's so warm here. Since I'm not into taking chemically-prepared medicines, I didn't consult a doctor and I've taken herbal medicines only. Now, I'm worried that it might affect the X-ray result when the time comes.

I'm just curious about the people here who had a problem with their X-ray results at St. Lukes...Are you aware of the reason why you had the problem? If so, what was it?

Are there people here who had the same issue as mine? Did it cause a problem in your X-ray result?

I'm thinking of taking a chest X-ray before I take my medical exam though I'm not sure how helpful will it be since I've read in some posts here that the X-ray machine at SLEC is more advanced than the usual X-ray machines being used in others and that it has the ability to see something which other X-ray machines can't.

Thanks

[loveaboo 0]

Hi there.

I think it would be more heartbreaking in your case if you leave your peristent cough unchecked, it affects the outcome of your visa application.

If you are taking herbal medicine and you are still coughing...obviously it is not working.

I can understand your decision not to take anything that isn't natural...but it may be time to find other medicines that will eliminate your cough.

There isn't any price tag on peace of mind.

Hope you will consider seeing another alternative specialist very soon, while the NOA2 hasn't arrived yet. Better for you to catch that early than regret it later.

Hello! Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

I don't have a cough anymore. I worry though that the 2 months coughing affected my lungs or something which might become an issue when I do my X-ray test at SLEC. Maybe I just worry too much. I just can't help it...

For those who had an issue with their X-ray result, what caused it (if you have any idea)?

[uniquecouple 0]

Hi there.

I think it would be more heartbreaking in your case if you leave your peristent cough unchecked, it affects the outcome of your visa application.

If you are taking herbal medicine and you are still coughing...obviously it is not working.

I can understand your decision not to take anything that isn't natural...but it may be time to find other medicines that will eliminate your cough.

There isn't any price tag on peace of mind.

Hope you will consider seeing another alternative specialist very soon, while the NOA2 hasn't arrived yet. Better for you to catch that early than regret it later.

Hello! Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

I don't have a cough anymore. I worry though that the 2 months coughing affected my lungs or something which might become an issue when I do my X-ray test at SLEC. Maybe I just worry too much. I just can't help it...

For those who had an issue with their X-ray result, what caused it (if you have any idea)?

history of TB and if you had pneumonia month/weeks before you have your medical...however even you dont have these histories st. lukes would still let you do the 3-day sputum test if they found something abnormality in your chest x-ray, regardless...

[Gumbolette 58]

I am in the same boat with you. I do worry as well for my medical. I don't know if I would call it as a cough or something because I really don't have that coughing sound. But sometimes when I happen cough there would be a very small amount of phlegm that comes out from me.. Do I have something to worry? or its just a usual thing that happens? Any feed backs is very much appreciated. Edited September 12, 2009 by LÜvtechwifey

[newlyweds 0]

the only problem that would be a red flag for the medical exam is tuberculosis, as that is highly communicable(meaning easily transmitted) it would show on the X-ray and if there are probs on the X-ray that's the time they will ask the person to do a sputum exam(further diagnostic exam) this is to verify if you have TB.

You do need to consult your doctor about it, he can make a check-up, assess your lung fields, and he'd be able to tell if you have TB or even if he has speculations that you do, because when he uses the stethoscope, there are abnormal breath sounds heard on your lungs, but other than that, it might be pneumonia, or just the ordinary cough being passed around especially since it's been the rainy season, the wind brings in a lot of bacteria.

But as the previous post had said, have yourself checked, you can have an diagnosis if there IS a problem, thus early treatment.. if there are problems on the medical exam, like in the case of a TB case, it needs a total of 6 months treatment then you are checked again if you have been cured or not; so the earlier you have a check-up the earlier you can be sure that there's nothing wwrong

anyway, these are the signs and symptoms of TB:

Fatigue

Night sweats

Chills

Loss of appetite

Persistent cough/ Coughing that lasts three or more weeks

Coughing up bloody sputum

Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing

Progressive shortness of breath

Breathing difficulty

Recurring bouts of fever

Weight loss

[Dakine 26]

I had my wife and daughter tested for TB 6 months before their interview. I suggest you get tested ASAP. Takes 6 months to cure TB and if you have TB you aren't going anywhere until cured.

Edited September 12, 2009 by Haole

[loveaboo 0]

Thanks to all who responded...

Honestly, I'm not worried about having a TB. I know I don't have it. Even from Odessa's symptoms list, the only check will be the persistent cough which I blame on the weather here those times (either too warm or a little cold) and eating too much rambutan (can't help it, it's one of my favorite fruits) which is not good for someone who has a cough.

I'm more worried about having to undergo sputum test which will delay my reunion with my fiance. I've read in some posts here in VJ that some had an issue with their X-ray results which resulted them to undergo sputum test and then turned out they are fine. For those people, can you please share with us what do you think caused the problem in your X-ray result? Was it a cough or whatever before the medical exam?

Luvtechwifey, I'm sorry that we're sharing the same concern. However, I've read that producing phlegm is more of a defense mechanism of our body. It's normal to cough a phlegm ONCE IN WHILE. I think everyone experiences it. If you think it's already abnormal, maybe you should do something about it already.

To someone who sent me a PM, thanks so much. That's comforting to know.

Thanks again and goodluck to our visa journey.

Edited September 12, 2009 by loveaboo

[Loolie 56]

Thanks to all who responded...

Honestly, I'm not worried about having a TB. I know I don't have it. Even from Odessa's symptoms list, the only check will be the persistent cough which I blame on the weather here those times (either too warm or a little cold) and eating too much rambutan (can't help it, it's one of my favorite fruits) which is not good for someone who has a cough.

I'm more worried about having to undergo sputum test which will delay my reunion with my fiance. I've read in some posts here in VJ that some had an issue with their X-ray results which resulted them to undergo sputum test and then turned out they are fine. For those people, can you please share with us what do you think caused the problem in your X-ray result? Was it a cough or whatever before the medical exam?

Luvtechwifey, I'm sorry that we're sharing the same concern. However, I've read that producing phlegm is more of a defense mechanism of our body. It's normal to cough a phlegm ONCE IN WHILE. I think everyone experiences it. If you think it's already abnormal, maybe you should do something about it already.

To someone who sent me a PM, thanks so much. That's comforting to know.

Thanks again and goodluck to our visa journey.

for me if your too worried about anything especially about the xray thing then have a tb skin test or go for xray and have it read to a good doctor...instead of worrying about it so much and not doing anything at all.

[eimen05 0]

well....i just wanna share my experience when i had my medical examinations almost three months ago...

i went to st. lukes (the place where u have to get ur medical exams done) 2nd week of june..i was so confident because i dont feel anything bad...no cough,no cold or anything.

i had my xray that day (n physicals n the rest of the tests too) n they told me to come back the following day for the release of my med so i did.

DAY 2; i was paged to go to the laboratory...n there they told me that they saw a spot on my lung n that i need to take the sputum test,at first i was like,ok but then they told me that the results will take 2 months to get n i was shocked! coz my interview was june 26(supposedly)

so they explained it to me... they said i have to go there 3 consecutive days to give them sputum samples

(phlegm)n then after 2 days they will give me the smear results but then they will also put the sputum on culture...well they will incubate it or something.... n the result takes 2 months to get,they told me that they will be the one to inform the us embassy n that they will just re sched my interview depending on the results of the sputum test.

basically even if the preliminary results come out negative it doesnt mean that the culture will be negative too..thats what they said...

CIRCUMSTANCES ARE:

IF ITS NEGATIVE: U can proceed to ur re sched interview which they will tell you upon the release of ur medical papers.

IF ITS POSITIVE: it means u have tb...u have to undergo their 6 months medication period which sucks because u will have to go there everyday for 6 months to get ur medicines because u have to take it there at st.lukes.although you dont have to pay anything because its included in the package payment u paid them. they are so strict too...

when i had my sputum tests i was surprised to see kids there...like 12 year old girls n a 10 year old boy,they were to take the sputum tests too...that shows how strict st lukes is...

oh n by the way...i passed the exams,it was negative n i had my interview last sept.1 n i passed! thank god!

id say prayer is the only thing u can really hold on to...so good luck to all of us! hope u didn't get bored reading this!

:blush:

[tallcoolone 102]

The Medical Interview is one of the biggest joke that USCIS requires.

Once you get to the USA, you will see millions, Maybe over 25 million Illegal Aliens that crossed the southern border and have came to USA Illegaly, and have set up house in the USA.

They cross with numerous disease, and it's OK.

But if decide to try to come to the USA the legal way, then they want you to jump thru hoops to get here.

[mae232 0]

This happened to me too..St. Lukes said that I have something suspicious in my lungs (I had cough and colds the week I did my medical)...Had to do the 3 day sputum test and wait for 2 months for the result..It was negative!

Guess what, when I got here in the US I had to do the PPD test, x-ray and the culture again..It turned out NEGATIVE as well! That's why I am so irritated at St. Lukes..I don't even know what their basis are..The delay was never worth it!

[loveaboo 0]

Exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks Eimen and Mae for sharing your experiences and congratulations for passing the exams.

This happened to me too..St. Lukes said that I have something suspicious in my lungs (I had cough and colds the week I did my medical)...Had to do the 3 day sputum test and wait for 2 months for the result..It was negative!

Ok, so going to the medical exam with cough and colds is a NO, NO...

well....i just wanna share my experience when i had my medical examinations almost three months ago...

i went to st. lukes (the place where u have to get ur medical exams done) 2nd week of june..i was so confident because i dont feel anything bad...no cough,no cold or anything.

i had my xray that day (n physicals n the rest of the tests too) n they told me to come back the following day for the release of my med so i did.

DAY 2; i was paged to go to the laboratory...n there they told me that they saw a spot on my lung n that i need to take the sputum test,at first i was like,ok but then they told me that the results will take 2 months to get n i was shocked! coz my interview was june 26(supposedly)

so they explained it to me... they said i have to go there 3 consecutive days to give them sputum samples

(phlegm)n then after 2 days they will give me the smear results but then they will also put the sputum on culture...well they will incubate it or something.... n the result takes 2 months to get,they told me that they will be the one to inform the us embassy n that they will just re sched my interview depending on the results of the sputum test.

basically even if the preliminary results come out negative it doesnt mean that the culture will be negative too..thats what they said...

oh n by the way...i passed the exams,it was negative n i had my interview last sept.1 n i passed! thank god!

Just a follow up question, sorry if this may sound stupid to some...If you had no cough and they need a phlegm samples for the sputum test, how will they get one?

[mae232 0]

Just a follow up question, sorry if this may sound stupid to some...If you had no cough and they need a phlegm samples for the sputum test, how will they get one?

This is the most dreadful part of the exam process..coughing out sputum to the satisfaction of the Medtechs in St. Lukes...you will have to produce enough or else they will reschedule you and you will have to do it all again...

Don't worry too much...just drink vitamins and just make sure you are healthy before you go to the medical....

[sasha414 0]

The Medical Interview is one of the biggest joke that USCIS requires.

Once you get to the USA, you will see millions, Maybe over 25 million Illegal Aliens that crossed the southern border and have came to USA Illegaly, and have set up house in the USA.

They cross with numerous disease, and it's OK.

But if decide to try to come to the USA the legal way, then they want you to jump thru hoops to get here.

actually i brought this up at st lukes. i told them that if they are so strict with immigrants entering the USA , then they should also require an xray for those applying for a tourist visa.