Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases QUANTIFERON(R)- TB Gold.

Hi,

Tested positive for above test. I do not have confirmed active TB yet. Does that mean biologics can never be used in my case? I was recently diagnosed.Has anyone gone through same tests.

Thanks

Also

Hepatitis B Surface Antibody QL: Reactive

It is a standard recommendation to test for TB before beginning biologic therapy. Patients should be retested annually. Several people here have tested positive for latent TB before or during treatment with anti-TNF medications. After treatment with isoniazid or a similar antibiotic, most patients can safely begin or resume biologic therapy. Generally, antibiotic treatment is for 6 months and you can begin/resume biologics 3 months into treatment.

I had been on biologics for a number of years when I suddenly tested positive for latent TB. My doctor took me off Remicade for 3 months and began a 6 month course of isoniazid. I have been back on remicade for years with no issues or problems.

Best of luck to you.

I think if you test positive for TB, you have to go through TB treatment before you can begin biologics.

I think with hepatitis B, just being a carrier won't keep you from taking biologics, but if you develop active disease you will need to stop.

In either case, your doctor should closely monitor your blood work and your overall condition.

I'm not sure if testing positive for both would keep you from taking biologics or not.

This is something that you really need to talk to your doctor about. There may be other factors in your health picture that need to be considered along with these two tests.

Hi notmetoo. I haven't visited for a while but hadn't heard those on biologics should be retested for tb each year! I've been on biologics and methotrexate for 3+ years and have developed a chronic dry cough so might follow up with my rheumatologist. ...

Thank you all.
It is latent TB and I am on isoniazid for 1 month before beginning Humira.
Meanwhile, I took Celecoxib 200mg for around 12 days before it became ineffective. My rheumy then gave me Zorvolex, which again was effective for around 2 weeks and now works a little. I tried going back to celecoxib but it does not seem to be working as well. Also tried Nebumetone once or twice.
Any suggestions please? My rheumy is very helpful in changing my medication if needed, but I do not know what will work for me.Have tried 3 NSAIDs so far, each one becomes ineffective after some time. Is there certain schedule I should stick to? Like
1. Celecoxib : 2weeks
2. Zorvolex :2 weeks
3. Celecoxib: 2 weeks
--
So on

Or should I increase my dosage of medication? The recommended dosage says 1 tab for celecoxib 200mg daily, and 2 tabs for Zorvolex 35mg daily.

Thanks

Thats a low dose of celecoxib. I am on 200 mg twice a day. Generally an NSAID trial should be 30 days long according to my rheumy and many socialized medicine systems as well. 2 weeks is not enough time as many NSAIDS build up in the system over time. ANd lets not forget NSAIDS are not used for pain relief, they are used to reduce inflammation. Two different things....