Camera stuck for two weeks

[madbee]

My son who is in his early 40's has had crohn's for the last 5 years. Over the years he has had examinations from both ends and bariums. He has had flare ups every now and then which were treated with drugs. So its been a painful journey and learning what not to eat.

Of recent on 13/12/2010 he went for a swallow camera process. The Gastromotist assured my son that he had never had a stuck camera. Since then he has admitted that he has learnt a big lesson? Ever since he has has terrible pain with no camera emerging. Xrays show the camera going backwards and forward just before the crohns section, which is just before the ileum. The photo results showed severe inflammation and was told surgery was inevitable. He went away on holiday just before Christmas, but the pain became impossible so he decided to bite the bullet and is now on the operating table (27/12/2010).

It seems to me that the camera thingy has bought on this flare up and wondered whether others had experienced a stuck camera. I did want to ask earlier on in this site whether there is anything one could do to facilitate the movement of the camera, but had a difficult time getting thro the logon process.

 

[crazycanuck]

Wow thats terrible! God I am sorry for you guys.

 

[crazycanuck]

Oh sorry and welcome to the forums.

 

[madbee]

Well they took out 25cm of intestin. Is that a lot? Tried to do an epidural block but that didn't work. What comes now, specific diets to keep the bogey from coming back.

 

[JeriAnne]

I just had the camera swallow and had to sign this pretty thorough legal document that said the camera could get stuck- and does more frequently in Crohn's patients. Crazy that the doc. didn't think there was that chance! I've even heard about GIs doing a "dummy" camera pill to see if it will go through. If the dummy one gets stuck it will just disolve, but then they know where the problem is. Sorry to hear about all of the troubles. Good luck with the recovery!

 

[madbee]

Thank you JerriAnne. I have read a number of blogs that talk about the dummy camera. It seems quiet a common procedure to test the route. I wonder why some doctors don't do it, perhaps the extra cost and time. They send it through and then xray you after 24 hours to see if it is still there. Apperently there is a small rod which shows up on the xray. As you say after that the bulk just dissolves. My son has has 15cm of small intestine and 10cm of large intestine cut out. He is on day 3 after the op struggling to urinate and still in pain.

Has your camera emerged yet. My son was squatting on the lawn with his dog to catch the camera. They took it out in the op. Quiet a big bomb looking device.

Best wishes with your consultations and God bless you

 

[Sandy]

How awful. And there's a way to check for it and the docs didn't do it.

I've always been afraid of that camera because I think it's just too big a pill.

I hope your son gets well SOON!
Sandy

 

[JeriAnne]

It is too big for a lot of people that have issues with obstructions (Crohn's people!). My GI said that if I didn't see it pass within 2 weeks then they would order an X-ray to see if it's still there. If it gets stuck it can cause all sorts of problems (as you know). I guess mine passed and I didn't even know it- an ER CT showed it was gone. Unfortunately mine didn't work either though- it stopped recording before it got to my erosions. Nice. Now they're talking about doing it again but with one that takes pictures for 12 hours.

I really hope your son's pain goes away very soon. He's lucky to have you care about him so much!
JeriAnne

 

[StarGirrrrl]

So sorry to hear that! Sadly with all IBD tests there is a risk or two of something like that happening. Sounds like the GI wasn't open enough with you. Reading the consent forms usually gives you an idea of what can go wrong, then you can decide whether the risks are worth it.

 

[Astra]

Hi Madbee
and welcome

Gosh that's so awful! Hope your son is ok and wish him a speedy recovery
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[madbee]

Hi Joan. Thank you for the welcome.
I will see you on facebook.

 

[Patrick]

I am a chrons patient who took the pill 32 days ago and it is still lodge in the small intestine. The surgeon is moving very slow. How did his surgury go? how is the recovery ?

 

[madbee]

Dear Patrick, My son had the stuck camera and was operated in December 2010. He has had complete recovery since then. It took some 6 weeks before he recovered. Seems to eat just about anything and has done some hectic cycle events (like 110km rides) As far as I can see he is fine. The intestine was very swollen and that's why it stuck. He was in very much pain before the op and the doctor had no option other than to go ahead even tho it was just before Christmas.

If you are in pain I would bang on the surgeon's door or get a second opinion.
God bless on the way forward