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Pillcam? Has anyone done it?

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Posted 6/17/2010 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone used the Pillcam vs a scope? How was it and the results? I wont consent to a colonascopy but am considering the Pillcam, if my insurance will pay for it. The last scope I had via upper with ERCP caused a perferation in my duedenum so wont go there. Thoughts and why arent more people using the Pillcam? I have possible crohn's or IBD with IBS.
Posted 6/17/2010 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
I think pill cam is not something you use instead of a scope its used to see things where the scope can not reach like the small intestines

I have done the pill its very easy you just have to drink a little bit of golytly and liquid diet.

Then you swallow the pill and they connect sensors to you and you must have them for 8 hours.

The pill is small so there is not hard to swallow it.
Posted 6/17/2010 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I had a capsule endoscopy about 7 years ago. It was a very easy test. Mine was inconclusive because the pill passed too quickly through my small bowel and colon. The necessary number of pictures were not taken and many areas were missed. Since the time I had mine, I believe they are giving medication to slow those with rapid transit times to prevent what happened to me.

I would check with your insurance. It is possible that they might not pay for a capsule endoscopy if you haven't had a colonoscopy. Not sure about that. I'm sorry that you had such a horrid outcome from your upper scope.
Posted 6/17/2010 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
My personal experience is.................insurance probably won't allow the pill cam until you jump through their hoops.  Or your doc can prove conclusively that it is the only way to go.  It must be fairly expensive because I had to do an ultrasound and CT first before my insurance would pay.

The prep for me was easy.  Fast something like 10 hours prior.  That was it.  Show up at 8am, strap a pack on, swalled the biggest pill I've ever seen and go back 8 hours later to give the pack back.  I work nights so being there at 8 am was tough, but I went home and slept most of the day.  Partly due to being tired and partly due to fighting being hungry.

It was a piece of cake.

Thoughts about why not on the pill cam.................money, plain and simple.  I also think the stomach and large intestine are too big for the pill cam to get pictures on all sides.

Posted 6/17/2010 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I've had Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series with small bowel follow-through, Upper endoscopy, Colonoscopy, CT Scan. When you say pill cam I'm guessing the Capsule Endoscopy? I have had that done and I would highly recommend it. All the other tests listed above are a PITA. This was so simple went into office swallow the pill and they attach things to your stomach for 8 hours or so not even. Got the results within 3-5 days. All of the tests I've had have been covered by my insurance. I have blue cross blue shield PPO. So as long as you have insurance I would think they would cover this if not all of it most. I would have this test done a million times before the other tests. Results are just like the others but sounded like the Dr can see more with this test. I would definitly look into it with your insurance and have it done. It's painless and you don't have to be put under any medicine and can go on with your day during and after the test.
Posted 6/17/2010 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys. My doctor said it was a good idea. better then a scope for me since I have had two perferations now ansd did not want to chance another. I started Asacol three days ago and hydrocort oitment for the bottom side. Let's see what happens.
Posted 6/18/2010 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
pill cam is awesome!
Posted 6/18/2010 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Pill cam is easy--- it is the test that found the ulcer on my terminal ilium.
I had colonoscopy, endoscope, and small bowel series prior to the pill cam.

I think you need to cover all bases?

Kim in FL
Posted 6/18/2010 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
I had this test done a few years back prior to my perforation. It was one of the easiest tests I have ever had done. The worst part wasnt swallowing the cam but the flavor of the gas ex drops I was made to take to aid with air bubbles in the pictures. The issue the nurse has was that I am very tioney so finding room for all the sticker things that connected me up to the pack for transmission of the pics
Posted 6/18/2010 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
The one I had last week- they didn't use stickers, they used a belt that transmitted to a video card connected to the belt, about the size of a blackberry phone?

Kim In FLorida

Posted 6/18/2010 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Would have had pill cam but they can't use it if strictures are suspected (which in my case I have) the cam is likely to get stuck.
Posted 6/18/2010 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
They did do a "dummy pill" first and then xrayed to make sure it would pass.
Kim
Posted 6/26/2010 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Well, the doctor would not go for the Pillcam. He wanted todo a scope and/or at least do a sigmoud oscopy and I siad no. He did agree to do a Prometheus 7 and ciliac blood work. He "doubts" I have either CD or UCF or Celiacs. He thinks its more the complications of the many surgeries I have had, 5-6 last year, due to the obstructions and adhesions and sepsis I had that scarred the intestines. He did not seem to think that I have IBD either. Uggggg! He treated me like I did not know what I was talking about and that it is something I will just need to live with. He is a GI doc and the last time I went to him I didnot like him then either. I swore I would not do anyother scope. I went therer with a goal and a plan. So I will see what the blood work shows. Not sure how accurate the "marker" tests are for this prometheus. Anyone had it and what kind of results? Frustrated and want appropreite treatment. I started the Asacol and stopped the pred, which was helping.

 

Posted 6/26/2010 11:23 PM (GMT 0)

I have had this test done.  It's very expensive.  I have a high deductible plan (I live in the US) and it was about $1100 out of pocket for me. 

Results came back consistent with Crohns, but to date, no other test has shown any Crohns.  Upper endo showed gastritis and esophagitis, but colonoscopy biopsies were normal and so was the pill cam.  I am having a CT scan on Monday, but I doubt that will show up anything. I am one of those "probably has IBS but has to have other stuff ruled out" people.  The Prometheus test definitely added to the amount of testing I have had to undergo and served to complicate matters (in my head, if nothing else!!), if indeed I am one of those who got a false-positive. 

I thought this was a good article.

http://www.uchsc.edu/gastro/document...n/Austin_3.pdf

I know a lot of people on another board have taken it and sometimes they get negative results, even though they are confirmed Crohn's sufferers.  So it can go either way.  My doc apparently uses it up front to aid with diagnosing, and I'm not sure that's the best use of it.  May be better in differentiating UC from Crohns colitis. 

Posted 6/27/2010 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Interesting. Thanks MayOK. I still feel the best route for me is to have the PillCam at some point. I know it is expensive and I may have to pay most of it out of my pocket but since I cannot have a scope done, it would be my best option. I might need to find someone who will do it????!!!!!???? I do have an active ulcer or fissure possibly at this point. I have medicine to see if it clears up. but wish the doctors would get it right. I hate this "probably" or "probably not" crap. I can make the same kinds of guesses they make. I need some long term treatment, whatever it is. Frustrated!
Posted 6/27/2010 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
my 16 year old had the pill cam done. it was no big deal hardest part was for him to swallow it. its like a horse pill lol but yes to see places that the scope can't see and much closer as it goes down. my son hasn't had problems with the scope but his doctor just wasn't seeing much on the scopes and wanted a closer look.
Posted 6/27/2010 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
I'd be inclined to find a new gastro. I'd explain WHY I could not agree to a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy and ask right up front, first visit, to have a Pill Camera procedure.

Another procedure that you might want to consider if you haven't had one is the CT Endoscopy. No scope, lightweight type of barium and CT scan. I don't know that there is a CT Colonoscopy yet or not but there may be.

And whilst the Ceretec WBC Scan can't Dx Crohn's disease it CAN indicate WHERE there is inflammation going on in the intestines. They draw 50 ccs of blood, send it to the lab where the red blood cells are removed and the remaining white blood cells mixed w/a marker dye. The marked WBCs are then infused back into your draw site and scans are done on a periodic basis thru the day out to, if I remember correctly, 4 hours after infusing the marked WBCs. They have you empty your bladder thoroughly before each scan. WBCs rush to the sites of infection and inflammation and accumulate there to fight the cause. The marker causes them to show up well on the scan images.
Posted 6/27/2010 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Do it, do it!!! I was positivly diagnosed by pill cam after years of symptons when notihng else gave a diagnosis. It really was the only way for me as my issues are in the small bowel. Hope you do it and come back no issues David
Posted 6/27/2010 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
I did pillcam when I was 14(I am 20 now) it wasnt to diagnose but to see where the new pain was coming from that couldnt be seen with an endoscope or colonoscpy. It was easy. My doc had my practice swallowing whole grapes(which hurt my stomach but were worth it) then I went in in the am, swallowed it and got all hooked up and went back to school. just wore the belt all day and went back when I was done. Then had to scope out my poop for the next few days, why they want that thing back i DONT know. but it was easy and helpful. Hope all goes well with you. and you get a diagnosis soon.
Posted 6/28/2010 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
BTW - I had promethus 7 also. It came back with a something that meant "there is no indicator of crohns" yet the pill cam should crohns clear as day. My issue is small bowel and I am now convinced that if there are questions, pill cam is the best and potentially the only way to get a 100% diagnosis. David
Posted 6/28/2010 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
I've heard of a barium enema. Is that a CT scan procedure?

If your current GI can't understand your reluctance to get scoped, I'd go to another one who will do the capsule endo.

Hope you find someone.
Posted 7/12/2010 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
I had my lab work done on the 25th of June. I have called the GI doc 3 times since and knew he had the results bvut he has yet to call me back. I am sick and miserable most of the day. Aperently he could care less. So I went there and signed releases for my records to go to my primary and just happend to ask for a copy. It looks negitive to me for Celiac and it was only suppose to check for that if everything else was negitive. So....Not sur ewhat he wants to do or what my primary will do. I finally got a hearing date for SSA on Aug 9th to see if I qualify for beneifits. Been almost 2 years now sine I got sick. GI doc said it might just be something I have to "just live with". His bedside manner sucks too. I will ask both the docs what to do but I think they are unconcerned with it. Also my surgeron was a great guy but stated I should go back to work soon after I got out of the hospital last year. UUGGGGG!!! I will not do a scope of any kind. My inflamation markers where high sio primary was thinking IBD but not supported at this point. I got better with the steriod. I just want to feel better. Oh and the Asacol came out mostly whole and unbroken today after I had a BM. Not sjure what that means. But it does seem to have helped some. I am now taking  2 pills 3 times a day.
Posted 7/12/2010 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
That was a great article on the IBD Prometheus blood tests, btw. I think they are not going to diagnose crohn's from an IBD lab test. They would probably prefer a pill cam. Sounds like you need a new GI doc too. It sucks having a bad doc. Good luck to you.
Posted 7/13/2010 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
There are only 3 GI docs here and I dislike all of them and have gone to all of them. He is the inly one that does pill cam. Not sure why he wont. Hell he wont even call me back......LOL I am goin g to call me doctor tomorrow and tell him and see if he can talk doc to doc to him and see why he wont do pill cam.
Posted 7/13/2010 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
I've had one resection. I have a known high grade partial obstruction at the resection site. Both my gastro and I really wanted to do a Pill Cam but I would not agree to it until she was able to get the Agile Patency Capsule for me to swallow first. The APC is the same size as the pill cam. You swallow it early one morning at your gastro's office and 24-26 hours later you go to an imaging center and have a simple abdominal xray. If the APC isn't seen you are good to go for a PCE. If the APC is still in your intestine, forget it. No PCE for you. It won't pass thru. The APC dissolves w/in 2-4 days.
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