Poop samples - how do you do it?!

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deedee

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poop samples - how do you do it?!

I have to provide stool samples for calprotectin tests pretty regularly. I can NOT figure out a way to do this that is not disgusting and that works well. The little tube they give me is really skinny so I can't go directly into that. Plus it comes with a spoon and the directions say to scoop out poop from the middle of the piece. ewwww. I couldn't figure out how to get a sample if I poop into the toilet, so I had to put several layers of newspaper down on the floor next to the toilet, cover it in plastic wrap, squat and poop on there, collect the sample, dump the rest into the toilet, and throw everything out right away. nasty!

So is there some secret method out there that I haven't discovered yet? What am I not thinking of? How do you guys do this? There must be something I'm missing!
 
Lots on here recommend the clingfilm method, where you coat the top half of the toilet bowl in cling film.

I tried this and have decided to go back to my previous method. As the first time, the poop just fell off the film into the toilet. So I covered the whole seat but that wasn't so good for me.

My old method is sterilising an old plastic tub (with boiling water from the kettle, then allow to air dry), which I then poop into.

As i always have difficulty not peeing at the same time, I can angle it to only catch the poop.

I always have latex gloves on and a window open. Plus, I think one of those mouth/nose masks would be a good idea!
 
You can also get a special plastic device (it looks similar to a pilgrim's hat, but I wouldn't suggest wearing it on your head) that you put under the toilet lid. I got mine from my doctor. I threw mine away after each time. I WOULD NOT save it. Call your doctor or the lab you will need to take it to and ask them if they have any. I think it's the least they could do. It's pretty disgusting.
 
Like Lisa, I've always been supplied with a "hat" as they call it when I have to supply samples. I wonder if you can get a a pack of disposable "hats" from a medical supply company? Hmmm... I suppose they'd all be disposable wouldn't they:ytongue:

Good luck!
 
just ask your lab for the "hat". Sometimes they forget to hand them out but you can just ask for one! I work at the hospital and that's how we collect all "samples" wet or poop!
 
Yeah and if you are ever in a bind you can cut the top off of an old 1 gallon milk jug, it floats on the water and is such a big target it is difficult to miss....
 
Yep, I use the bucket and "Pilgrim hat" they give me. Last time, the doctor's office even gave me gloves, wipes and a cool black bag to carry it in. Fancy Shmancy hahahaha!
 
I don't get the paper plate thing. Where do you put it, just in the toilet bowl? And it's easy to scrape enough off for the sample?

I will ask about the pilgrim's hat next time, that sounds like a good invention!
 
I used a short plastic cup. I could hold it around the back, so I could still pee out the front. No mess at all.
 
I've only had to do this once. And when I went to the collection place to pick up the cup... I gave the lady this look like "Are you serious?"

She then turned around and grabbed a hat for me and winked. Love that there are nice people in the world.

<3
 
My own method is Place a lot of tissue inside the toilet bowl so the poop don’t “PLUNGE” and it never goes to the water then I use the scoop to take some sample.
 
One of the good old fashioned plastic grocery bags from the supermarked. Just drape it over the toilet, set the seat down and do my thing into that, then scoop from the bag.
 
I just hold the cup underneath and go for it. Although I was extremely upset last time to find out that I had missed the cup entirely and had to wait to do it again.

I've never been offered a pilgrim hat.

What do you do with the plates, jugs, hats, etc. when you are done? do you just toss them in the trash or clean them out?
 
I know it has been awhile for this page, but it is still so helpful! I was given a cup and spoon-thing on Thursday and was sent home with it (I had diarrhea in my doctor's office and had to step out of the appointment--she sent me to give a sample after the visit and of course, nothing happened.)
Anyway, the tech's best suggestion was a styrofoam plate which sounds excessively messy. These suggestions are much better: thanks very much!
 
I make a cone out of tin foil and poo into that, then I take out what I need to put in the tube and tip what I can of the "left overs" down the toilet. The advantage of tin foil is you can then seal the top of the cone before putting it in the bin so there's nothing yucky exposed.
 
Alley2231 said:
They didn't give you a hat for this to put in your toilet?
Click to expand...

Alley2231, I asked for one and they said they didn't give them out anymore. I also checked at the pharmacy and they didn't have them either.

I ended up using a *clean/unused* garbage bag and attached it to the back half of the commode--like putting it over a trash can and put the seat back down. It actually worked out really well. I don't know how they expect you to aim that into a cup. Gee whiz.
 
They don't expect you to aim for the cup, that's just for putting the sample into :) The spoon is for scooping and the cup for storing.

I did a plastic tub (newly unwrapped from a pack) for my last sample and scooped it from there. Yuck but it did the job!
 
I use an empty ice cream tub, line it with cling film, do my business, scoop what I need out with the little spoon, chuck the rest in the toilet, remove the cling film and throw it away then give the tub an extremely good scrub.
 
I usually get given a disposable bowl. But sometimes I get given these nifty little collection packs.
It is like a collecting bag made out of thick toilet paper, it has two sticky sides which you attach to each side of the toilet seat and it catches your poop for you. then I just have to scoop a bit up and when you are done you detach the sticky bits and it all falls into the toilet to be flushed

Not sure how well i described that but it was one of the most sophisticated poo sample I've ever done! Shame they don't give them out that often!
 
Very Cool, Lottie93!

We have a "hat". We clean it out after each time we have to use it, because we keep hearing they don't give them out anymore!
 

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