Pillcam stuck?

[NatalieMT]

I haven't posted here in a good while, I've been reading the forums on and off though - I do hope everyone is okay!

I had a capsule endoscopy a week ago and I do believe, 99.9% sure, that I have not passed the capsule/pillcam. I'm still going to the bathroom and I have passed what I have eaten after swallowing the capsule but no capsule. I have vomited a couple of times unexpectedly but given I am obviously not obstructed it could just be coincidence. I have had some unusual sharp pains on my right hand side but again could be unrelated. I haven't had the results of the test as yet however I was told at the end of the test they thought the capsule had passed through my small bowel but weren't sure. Surely if it had gone through my small bowel it wouldn't get stuck in my large bowel/colon etc. Prior MRI had confirmed no strictures in small bowel anyway.

This happened to anyone else? I must admit I am slightly worried given it's been a week and plan to call the hospital tomorrow. The risk of retention seemed absolutely minute but it's just my luck that this would happen.

 

[Minxy]

From what I have been told in the past by my GI doctor, it is not unusual for patients to be unaware they have passed the pillcam after a capsule endoscopy.

However, there have been instances of the pillcam being retained in the colon for various lengths of time, without any apparent harm at all being caused.

As I understand it, it is only if the pillcam were to get stuck in the small intestine that it would be a problem. If this was the case I am sure you would know it, as you would be in pain from the partial obstruction, and food would not be passing through easily.

 

[NatalieMT]

Thanks for the response!

Without going into hideous detail I've checked what has come out since the day of the test and no pillcam has been there. Obviously I may have missed something but seems unlikely to me.

I did speak to the hospital this morning who said the only way to know if it was still there or not was to send me for an xray. Initially they suggested I go to A&E which I really didn't want to do because this doesn't seem like an emergency. So they told me to ring consultants secretary who told me if it was inside me I shouldn't just leave it and that my GP could arrange an xray on an outpatient basis. So will go with that to be safe!

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I had the pill cam about a month ago and I never saw the capsule come out. Now I'm scheduled to have an MRI next week. I had called my GI's office to see if they thought I should have an x-ray before the MRI, to make sure that it isn't still in there somewhere, but they said that the pill cam had seen "everything" so I shouldn't worry, it's been expelled and I apparently just missed seeing it. So they may be able to tell you from the pill cam results whether or not you've expelled the capsule.

 

[NatalieMT]

They disconnected the test after 7 hours, so filming ceased then. They said at that point they would just check it on a monitor and looking at the screen they thought the capsule had left the small bowel but that wasn't for definitine. So they don't even have a film of everything.

I will just go for the xray and hope for the best!

 

[fairy]

I am going on 1st of november for my dummy camera pill and i am now

scared. . i have to go the following day for an xray to make sure it has

passed and then they will make appointment for me to have the real pill at

the end of the month. They said i don't need to go for xray after real pill as

the dummy pill will show if there are any problems.

Love Dawn

 

[fairy]

Natalie which hospital in london did you have it done? I am under Royal Free at Hampstead.

Dawn

 

[NatalieMT]

Sorry I didn't have it done in London - I live in the North West. Unfortunately I didn't have the option of the dummy pill, so you should be absolutely fine Dawn. I really wouldn't worry the test was fine for me apart from this slight hiccup! If the dummy pill does get stuck it's designed to just naturally dissolve away so it won't create any problems. Good luck for the 1st!

Good news is it looks like the pill has now come out of my body. I went for an xray today and although results still need to be confirmed by a doctor they said on face value they couldn't see anything worrying.