Has anybody had a capsule endoscopy (swallowed micro camera)?

Hi everyone,

Has anybody out there ever had or been offered this and, if so, did it prove to be useful?

Would be grateful for any first-hand info.

Thanks,

Cat

[Hidden]

I had an Endoscopy about 21 years ago and it came back clear as well as the Colonoscopy came back clear, that is when I was diagnosed with IBS.

The Endoscopy was a little uncomfortable for a few seconds and then I don't remember a thing about it.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi and thanks very much for your reply, however, I should have made my question clearer as a capsule endoscopy is completely different to gastroscopy/colonoscopy (both of which I had done some time ago).

You actually swallow a camera which is contained in a capsule about the size of a vitamin pill. As it passes through your digestive system it transmits images of your insides to a data recorder which is strapped to your body; these are then transferred to a computer which allows them to be displayed and reviewed. The procedure is available on the NHS but doesn't seem to be offered very often..

Here's a link:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsu...

Sorry for the confusion.

Cat

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi there Cat, it was just called an Endoscopy when I had mine but I definitely had to swallow a camera, that is the bit I didn't like but I wasn't uncomfortable for too long. I had mine done in 1996/7, can't remember exactly which year, so I expect things have changed a fair bit.

Best wishes

Alicia

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Alicia,

Thanks very much for replying, but I'm not really sure we're singing from the same song sheet here.

Having swallowed the pill-camera, did you have to leave the hospital wearing a data recorder and go back to have it removed 8 hours later?

Best wishes,

Cat

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Cat

Ah, that's how much things have changed, no I didn't. I had to stay in a bed until I was awake enough to leave with someone from the hospital.

All the very best.

Alicia

[Respo in reply to Hidden]

Swallowing the capsule is the goldstar service

[Juggins1978]

Hi Cat,

I had both in Jan. An endoscopy and colonoscopy. They weren’t very nice procedures, but it was quick. It was comforting to know there’s nothing serious going on. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Juggins1978]

Hi and thanks very much for your reply, however, I should have made my question clearer as a capsule endoscopy is completely different to gastroscopy/colonoscopy (both of which I had done some time ago).

You actually swallow a camera which is contained in a capsule about the size of a vitamin pill. As it passes through your digestive system it transmits images of your insides to a data recorder which is strapped to your body; these are then transferred to a computer which allows them to be displayed and reviewed. The procedure is available on the NHS but doesn't seem to be offered very often..

Here's a link:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsu...

Sorry for the confusion.

Cat

[Juggins1978 in reply to Hidden]

Wow! That sounds amazing. Thanks for info. X

[nfun]

Hi Cat. I had one of these just recently. It is very simple and painless. The camera pill is easy to swallow and it sends images wirelessly to a unit you wear on a belt. It takes one photo every 0.5 seconds , so over 50,000 images over the 8 hours you wear the receiver.

You can do normal (non energetic) activities during the day and you don’t generally have to be an inpatient for the capsule endoscopy.

The pill just passes and you don’t have to retrieve it. All very simple, and a great way to image the parts of the bowel that can’t be reached by a normal colonoscopy or endoscopy.

[Barnclown in reply to nfun]

Hi nfun:

I hope things have improved for you. Am in the UK. am booked to have NHS capsule endoscopy in early june because my whole GI tract (mouth to ass) is too hypersensitive for Barium followthrough or MRI with contrast.

The aim is to examine small intestines (i’ve had a lifetime of routine gastroscopies & colonoscopies, resulting in helpful diagnoses).

Am wondering how much your capsule endoscopy helped you & your consultants better understand & treat your GI issues?

[nfun in reply to Barnclown]

To be honest all it did was provide peace of mind that I do not have a “known” serious medical condition, as the capsule endoscopy was all clear. I do still suffer from IBS, but I feel like I have done all the tests I can at this stage based on current medical knowledge.

[Barnclown in reply to nfun]

I like the way you’re thinking! Thanks for your reply

[Hidden]

Thanks very much for your reply. I was wondering about asking for this type of endoscopy as I got no real answers from the more traditional procedures. I also had a defecating proctogram which revealed a rectocele where, so I was told, 'stool could possibly become stuck' thereby causing my symptoms. It doesn't seem that the capsule is offered to enough of us who get dropped under the 'IBS' umbrella.

I hope you got some answers.