Oh my goodness! You sure don't need another situation to complicate matters. Here's hoping this is resolved SOON along, with everything else.

Thanks for all the support. I truly think it should be part of the camera pill procedure that you have a follow up xray to see if this thing is out of your system. I wonder how many people have had to have procedures to remove the camera pill. I suspect it has been a good procedure except for this one gotcha.

Billye

That's one huge GOTCHA?

I far more like it when docs do say...80% this, 18% that, then the 'other
2%'? And then further take [Dang it why don't they?] into consideration all those other minor [to them] issues? Isn't that what 'informed consent' is supposed to be about? But then, 'mostly' they DO tell you, but you just can't take it in.....I surely wish you could just 'loose' that little devil naturally tho! Gentle 's as well. This is soo well, SOO! - j

And various other expressions.

Considering your history with reactions to foreign substances . . .I'm with Curious on this one--no one thought, when they didn't recover the little widget after a few days, to go looking for it?

And, as has been mentioned, given your medical history, and the probability of slowed gatric transit and insufficient intestinal moisture, nobody thought to make double damn sure?

I think you've got a case here, no matter what the release form said.

I just hope you can get the thingee out without any more invasive procedures than strong laxatives, and that you can feel somewhat better overall.

Glenn,
No, no one even asked for a follow up. I got a telephone call saying the camera did not find anything in the middle GI tract (small bowel). But they don't even look after 8 hours of test. I was assured that it would be no problem to pass this thing. Remember I'm the one that didn't pass the 48 hour nuclear test either. Came all the way home with the nuclear material in me. Who knows, it may still be lurking. They don't even check. I asked how would I know if the camera pill was still in there. I was told that I'd probably be sick at my stomach first. It seems to me that it would be too late then. I probably will be making a case out of this one.

I've gotten to where I just don't know what to think any more. It seems as if there is any kink to a medical procedure, it will happen to me.

We are wAiting to see what Monday brings. Thanks for all your good wishes.
Billye

Oh my God, Billye... This is unbelievable... I sure hope you can pass this and don't end up having to have any surgery. I wonder if this could have anything to do with your PN firing up so badly...

Broken bones, stuck camera, PN flaring up... What next???

Cathie

Billye,
I'm sorry that I haven't kept up here as much as I should have so do not know the history behind the ordering of the Capsule Endoscopy [camera pill].

What I do know stems from having a CE in 2004 and from moderating a Crohn's forum where many of our members have this test. As was probably explained to you, the CE is one of the best tests to look at the intestinal mucosa of the small bowel. People being worked up for Crohn's disease that cannot be seen using a colonoscopy often have a CE.

The problem that some of these people run into is that the inflammation in their small bowel has caused strictures or partial obstructions and the pill becomes "stuck." Also some people with Crohn's do not have the typical Crohn's symptom of diarrhea but have constipation instead. Slow transit time and/or colonic enertia can cause the CE to not pass.

If it is suspected or known that the capsule is not passing because of stricture or obstruction, laxatives are not given. The capsule must be surgically removed. If no stricture is seen or suspected from other tests, then laxatives might be used.

If you did not sign a consent that specified the risk that the capsule might become lodged in the intestinal tract, then you might have a case. However, I have never heard of anyone that did not know this was the largest risk that the CE imposed. Then again, because we "Crohnies" deal with bowel issues all the time, greater emphasis might be placed on this possible risk.

I am sorry that you are having to deal with this along with all of your other problems. My CE was a BUST - it passed so quickly that the $1500 it cost was a total waste. Mouth to **** was 6 hours and 52 minutes so the desired number of small bowel photos was not reached. I saw the little lights on the capsule flashing away in the bottom of the toilet bowel...LOL.

BTW - the battery life on the capsule used to be 14 hours - I don't know if that is still true. No images are sent beyond that time or if the monitoring device is disconnected prior to that. Typically, the monitoring belt is only worn for about 8-9 hours.

OMG...How dumb am I? I had this test done ages ago (about 6 months) and I have no idea if I ever passed the camera
I remember checking the first day after I had the test done...didn't see anything. I remember wondering if I would "feel" it pass...never felt it. My doctor's office didn't tell me much about this! I guess I kind of forgot about it...until now!

I have no pain though (except for that imaginary pain that just started when I realized I might still have the camera inside me )

The part about corrosion...NEVER HEARD THAT FROM MY DOCTOR! YUK.

So...think there's any possibility the camera could still be there after all this time with no problems?

PS...I wish you easy camera removal-by whatever method fate determines! And, I thank you for jogging my lousy memory.

It boggles the mind, that people are told to swallow a camera pill and no one tells them that, "we should do a follow up to see if you pass it", no one phones you up the day after asking "did you pass it??".

And the part where the guy saw the blinking lights in the toilet bowl and he knew that it passed in 6 hours so no viable photos were taken, well, that just blows my mind.

The medical incompetency I am reading about REALLY makes me want to move to France.

Absolutely mind-boggling..

The medical incompetency I am reading about REALLY makes me want to move to France.

France? Why France, Mel?

Cathie