Had this done last week, awaiting results. I too had misgivings and, though I never had a problem, if I do it again, I would do the dummy pill first. The cam wasn't that big, about an inch and a quarter long and half inch diameter. It wasn't a problem as I take gram pills of fish oil multiple times daily; and the cam isn't THAT much bigger.
I really question the benefits of this method for colon surveillance as my pill was only recorded for eight hours--I just don't see how this could go through my whole system in such a short time. Also, if the doc finds polyps, they will have to do a colonoscopy to go in and take biopsies, anyway. That's not to say you will have polyps, of course; that's just the reasoning to do colonscopies as opposed to cameras.
However, the wireless endoscopy/camera pill is the only method I know of to keep an eye on the small intestines. Barium xrays don't seem like a good idea, unless absolutely necessary. It seems they zap you continuously, and that can't be healthy. Some of the most radiation-sensitive cells in your body comprise the gut lining. And I won't begin to attempt to describe the torture of drinking glasses full of barium.
I only had to fast after lunch the day before, and that night take a 12oz laxative drink that tasted like bitter, fizzy gatorade. The following morning I took the pill with 3oz of water mixed with some substrate to stop bubbles from messing with the cameras view. From there you were a less than fashionable battery fanny pack and a large belly belt under your shirt. Again, mine was only for 8 hours.
Without insurance, this procedure would cost $2600, so I'm told. All that said, I still highly recommend it. Though I think crohnnies should opt for a dummy pill first, because who knows how strictured the small intestines could be?
