Wellness

[hckynutjohn]

 Havarti wrote:

So, let me ask the dumb but obvious question...since cameras are expensive, do they reuse the same camera that has passed out of someone else? 

Removed by "hckynut(john)"

[Justholdingon]

Hi..my husband was part of the original clinical studies when they first came out . He had total intestinal cancer from all upper to lower intestine, his intestines had so many dips and pockets in them, so an endoscopy and colonoscopy could not see everything the doctor wanted to in between.this was a big risk as the pill was likely to get stuck in all the pockets, but he wanted to take the chance since many doctors and hospitals had given him 6 months anyway.  I believe the trick to these pill cams is to stay on your feet and keep walking for the majority of the time ( or at least 4-5 hrs) after the camera is swallowed until it gets past the part where the the scopes can't get to. Thereafter ,it's in the larger intestine. My husband has had at least 8 of these done so far.   

Usually we go to the mall, go on long walks, etc..  

The funniest thing happened on the very first one ,! The doctors were looking at the CD of the pictures of his very first pill cam and near the end of it they couldn't figure out what the white splotch was that suddenly appeared ... They finally figured out that it was the toilet !! 

I hope this put you at ease...  😊

[Havarti]

hooty: Since endoscopes are sterilized and reused over and over it would seem possible that a pill camera could be removed from the sealed capsule that passed and placed in a new sterile capsule for reuse. Retrieving a capsule is no different that the procedure for a fecal occult blood test, which is done routinely. Neither sounds pleasant to me, but lots of stuff in medicine is gross but necessary.

I’ll never understand why some people like to put down other people for an honest comment or question.

hckynutjohn: I would have thought the quality of a medical camera would be of higher quality than one found on a $50 toy drone, but I do not know that to be true.

Mine was a simple honest question looking for a simple honest answer.

[Justholdingon]

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@Havarti wrote:

hooty: Since endoscopes are sterilized and reused over and over it would seem possible that a pill camera could be removed from the sealed capsule that passed and placed in a new sterile capsule for reuse. Retrieving a capsule is no different that the procedure for a fecal occult blood test, which is done routinely. Neither sounds pleasant to me, but lots of stuff in medicine is gross but necessary.

I’ll never understand why some people like to put down other people for an honest comment or question.

hckynutjohn: I would have thought the quality of a medical camera would be of higher quality than one found on a $50 toy drone, but I do not know that to be true.

Mine was a simple honest question looking for a simple honest answer.

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Good question,Havarti. Each of my husband's pill cams have been individually sealed and new for each test,though. The pill cams  have to be programmed to be started to begin taking pictures as soon as the patient swallows it and it takes pictures for approximately 6-8 hours and then it goes dead,so it cannot be used again. 

[Stray]

It would depend why your doctor selects that option.  The prep is the same so why not a colonoscopy as it is more accurate.   Also, some insurance companies do not pay for the camera option, so be sure yours does.  All insurers pay for a colonoscopies.  Every procedure has risks and the risk with a camera is low but problems can occur as a poster described and the cameras are disposable. 

[June222]

@Stray  I had both a colonoscopy and endoscopy....the PillCam can view the part of the intestine that the scope can not reach. Thus the reason for them suggesting the pill cam.

 I have done  homework and research  and decided NOT  to proceed with the PillCam. I do not want to do the prep AGAIN so soon....and their is always risk  with any procedure.  My insurance will cover it 100 percent, but, I just do not want to go through with it at this time. 

Thanks for for your viewpoint!  It is appreciated!