Met with new GI

That's interesting to know...As I am about to start Entyvio Infusions. My first time on anything other than 5ASA. i'm supposed to remain on Mezavant as well...which isn't doing enough. Just got back my latest Calprotectin results @ 1619...up from June @ 900.

Glad you have a promising new GI

Sassy

Interesting stuff! Btw stool tests- there are some companies that make sheets of paper that you stick to the walls of the toilet or wrap around the seat and poop into them... then collect your sample... then when you're done, you just flush them down the toilet. Much less mess and hassle than other methods! Although it is a bit of an artform to poop just the right amount not to make a hole in the paper with the weight of the poop.... I mean it's still not my favourite chore but this makes things easier if you didn't already try it. Calprotectin tests have been really accurate and useful for me but it only became clear how to interpret them when 1. I became consistent in only taking a sample from the first poop of the day which is when calprotectin is highest and 2. My dr decided we should test it every 1-2 weeks for the couple of months when we were considering surgery. Then we really had a feel for how much things were fluctuating (it never went below 900 when i was flaring but it did fluctuate between 1000 and 2000... then suddenly when xeljanz started working at 7 weeks, it went to 400 and then a few weeks later below 50. Mostly it has stayed below 50 but one time i started getting cramps and we tested and it came back 300... I added salofalk enemas and a week later it was 67... then touch wood has stayed low ever since... so for me it has been incredibly helpful... but i have classic UC with always the most severe inflammation in the rectum which also "helps" to deliver meaningful values because calprotectin is most sensitive to rectal inflammation)

Poopydoop -- I have had some tests where it was a paper liner kind of thing. Most times its a plastic bowl that fits in a bracket you lay across the toilet bowl. It comes with a lid so all I have to do is put a lid on the bowl and take it to the lab thankfully.

My problem with stool tests is that I have a difficult time getting a clean sample. I either have it too close to the front and get some urine in the sample or I have it too far back and miss the bowl. One time it took me 3 tries to get the sample. I am uncoordinated lol.

I’m not sure how or why it’s working this way here, but since I started Entyvio and confusing with remicade now, every three months my poop test is delivered to the front door by FedEx in a plain box, the kit includes the paper bowl that was mentioned above, and…. they come back to pick it up when I call! There’s a special freezer pack included and several layers of return packaging. Who knows why this cadilac service for calprotectin, because if I get a C Diff poop test requisition, I’m on my own with just a plastic bottle and no popsicle stick even! And of course taking it back to the lab myself etc.
One trick I’ve used to avoid peeing in my sample is to keep a stash of larger empty pill bottles in the bathroom cupboard and hold one in that area while doing the necessary. Otherwise I’m sure I would spoil the test every time!
The new GI sounds like a good one, congrats! Hope all goes well with this one.

poopydoop said...
Yeah i try to pee first before setting up the paper catcher although not always easy to control. One time i accidentally got poop on the floor then stepped in it then walked around my bedroom before i had noticed 🤢🤮 luckily i don't have carpets but it went onto my list of "100 awful things about IBD that don't make it into the textbooks"

Oooh, that's one for the books for sure, poor you! Yes, it’s a disease of serial humiliations for sure.