Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Celiacs Who Work In A Hospital/or The Healthcare Field

alamaz

By alamaz
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

alamaz Collaborator
alamaz
Posted

Ugh! I just recently started a new job at a hospital. I was dx'ed with celiac in late February of this year and am just now starting to feel REALLY good so it's taken some time to start to heal. Of course, TB testing is required for this job and I keep reacting positively or "inconclusive" to the tests except my chest x-ray is clear. The Quantiferon Golf test was inconclusive and the skin tests are all coming back positive. They are trying to tell me that they will have to treat me for latent TB which I don't believe is possible that I have latent TB because I have a history of having positive reactions to the TB skin tests all with clear chest x-rays and I've not been out of the country since 1995. In fact, when I lived overseas in the early 90's I was treated for a year for TB even though the chest x-ray was clear but I had reacted to the skin tests. At this rate I will be treated for TB indefinitely because I react positively to the skin tests.

I recall a post a few weeks ago about this same thing and several of you also react positively to the TB tests. What happens next? Is this just a matter of documenting the positive reaction? How does your hospital/workplace handle postive TB reactions?

As a side note, they just did the bubble test and I'm starting to get a severe headache. I'm not sure if it's celiac related or just stress but I never even thought to wonder if the bubble test has to be gluten free also......

Amy

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

Hi Amy,

I work in a Hospital and I get a TB test every year, I always test negative.

Guest j_mommy
Guest j_mommy
Posted

Amy....

I was that poster a few weeks ago!!! Are you getting it read by a nurse or DR????? My nurse thought it was positive but it was not.....raised area is what counts not redness...which was what was happening to me....I had a huge red area,slight bump and itched like crazy!!! So I went to a DR and he said it was negative but wrote me a prescription saying that due to some type of allergic reaction I am to have chest xrays from now on and that I have not had a positive reaction and do not need to be treated!!

I hope this helps!!!

PM me if you have more questions!

little d Enthusiast
little d
Posted

Hi Amy

I work in a hospital and I just got my TB today and mine is just red around the site and I don't think that it had anything to do with it but right after I got really sleepy when I was fine before, but then again i did just work my 12 hr night shift. I will get mine read on thursday morning and I am usually negative but I feel like that this time I am having more of a reaction more redness this time and It itched some today.

donna

Worriedwife Apprentice
Worriedwife
Posted

I work in the healthcare field, and have not had a TB skin test done for about 13 years. I am allergic to the serum they use to test for TB. I only have chest X-rays done now.

I agree with I_Mommy, make sure you have a doctor read the results, not just a nurse. If it just red and/or itchy, that is not necessarily a positive reaction. You have to have a noticable bump from the test for it to be a positive reaction.

Good luck!

uclangel422 Apprentice
uclangel422
Posted

Before I was diagnosed with Celiac, I took a TB test at work in the hospital and it was read as positive. I had to have an X-ray and it came back negative so i was allowed to remain at work. My doctor did end up putting me on INH for TB because he wanted to be on the safe side. I was miserable on that medication.

From now on, tell them that you are prone to false positives on the skin test and just ask for an X-ray of your lungs yearly. My hospital has that option instead of the skin test.

alamaz Collaborator
alamaz
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the responses. The irritating thing is, I told them up front about my history of reacting positively so they did the chest x-ray and the blood test. the chest x-ray was clear, the blood test was "inconclusive". The last thing I want is to be treated for a disease I know I don't have and that's honestly my biggest fear at this point is they will try to tell me i need to go on meds. So far the bubble test is looking okay that i got yesterday afternoon (so i think, it looks like a mosquito bite). i will definitely request that the DR. look at it on Thursday instead of just the nurse who is actually really nice and just doing her job.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Rogol72
      - Rogol72 replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      3

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough...
    2. ShariW
      - ShariW commented on Scott Adams's article in Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
      4

      What are Celiac Disease Symptoms?

      In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, I had gastroesophageal reflux that was becoming intolerable despite treatment with PPIs and antacids. When I went gluten-free, the GERD lessened tremendously (as did the other symptoms).
    3. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      3

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      Thank you so very much Scott. Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful. If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      3

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to ...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,911
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Cici123
    Newest Member
    Cici123
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      My only proof

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.