SeHCAT test

[Katie98]

Hello everybody. For those of you who know my situation and for those who don't I've been recommended to have a seHCAT test for malabsorption for frequent pale BM, urgency and lots of clear bile accompanying BM or sometimes alone. I am awaiting biopsy results for a second colonoscopy as my first was indicative of microscopic colitis 12 months ago. Currently I'm not on any medication for malabsorption or microscopic colitis nor have I ever been as they've been treating it as IBS.

My specialist has said he wants to wait for the new biopsy results until he checks about the malabsortion issues and do the seHCAT test. But this is another 6-8 weeks and will exams looming, university and work looming I need to try and get these out of the way sooner rather than later.

I'm stuck in the house 90% of the time with needing to be close to the loo and I'm really worried about some of my symptoms. I understand my doctor wanting to get the biopsy results before giving me medication so he has a full picture but I don't see why I can't have the seHCAT test whilst I'm waiting rather than waiting 2 months?

Has anyone in the UK ever paid for a seHCAT test done at the hospital and how much was it? I'm hoping to get it done privately because of how bad its getting but as a student who has had to miss job opportunities this summer its going to be difficult. Does anyone know how much they are?

[Briggsy0304]

Hi Katie,

I have a SeHCAT test done on the NHS. It's actually very pleasant (at least in comparison to tests like colonoscopy's!)

Basically, you lay on the floor for about 30 minutes while they do their thing, then go back a week later and do the same thing.

My SeChat was negative which of course I was disappointed with. Waiting for the test doesn't really make much sense. Perhaps you need to go back to your GP & really explain the physical issues you are experiencing, as well as the not being able to leave the home.

If you don't have any success, then you just need to weigh up the pros & cons of the private treatment. As long as you're ok with spending the money & possibly receiving a negative test then go for it

You could also enquire about taking a Bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid, Flavored Colestid ), and colesevelam (Welchol) which are used to lower cholesterol - but also used to treat choric diarrhea when a SeHCAT is positive.

[Katie98 in reply to Briggsy0304]

Thank you for your reply! I'm glad its nothing like a colonoscopy haha. Honestly not much of my treatment has made sense. For example, I had a positive test for microscopic colitis (MC), and was told that all my biopsies were clear, and 12 months later I was told actually the original biopsies showed MC and I needed another colonoscopy. I was only told this because I complained I was feeling really bad again.

I tried going to the GP about my newer problems and he said he wouldn't interfere with what my specialist wanted. I'm going to try a different GP doctor and see what they say. Its getting horrific and I'm scared that I won't be able to go back to university. I just need to get back on track and I've been waiting for 2 years. Last year I was in hospital for a week hooked up to machines and I still waited another month for a colonoscopy. This time round I had the colonoscopy within a week once they had a look at my previous results.

Some people on the site have also mentioned those medications and I've heard really good things about them. For the time being my doctor won't give any new medication and neither will my GP. Pending the new biopsies for confirm a MC diagnosis. At the moment I take omeprazole, meberverine and amitriptyline. I tried Imodium for a year but I started to react badly to it and it didn't get with the frequent BM. I intend to propose those medications again when the new results come back.

I don't mind if the test is negative because it will help me rule stuff out. I just need to see if I have the means to pay for it.

Thank you x

[Maureen1958 in reply to Katie98]

Hi Katie, I just phoned London Bridge Hospital to see if it is possible to do this privately, you can but it costs £783 according to the man in the acccounts department but he said you would still need a referral from a GP. Also I am guessing that your doctor won't give you any bile acid sequestrants as you would have to come off them again to do the test. I don't know if this is of any help. Maureen.

[sweetsusie in reply to Katie98]

Your doctor sounds like so many who are just like him...close minded jerks...

[sweetsusie in reply to Briggsy0304]

So glad you mentioned these drugs to her, Briggsy0304!!! I'm trying to get the word out about these drugs and I will never understand why the doctors are not "up" on this!

[Briggsy0304 in reply to sweetsusie]

My GP said no to me for a Questran this week, as I've my SeChat was negative

I have NHS gastro in about 10 days time though, so I'm hoping to have more success. I'm going to push hard, if I have no luck then I think I'll have to find some other method to get the medication!

[sweetsusie in reply to Briggsy0304]

I'm so sorry he's such an idiot, Briggsy0304...but it's no surprise as most of them are. I just happened to "luck out" and find a doctor who has an ears and listens to me! Keep up the fight...do not give up...these meds will give you your life back. What would it hurt if he just let you try them!!!??

[sweetsusie]

Wow! That's terrible that you have to wait that long! I take Colestipol for my bile acid malabsorption and have never even been diagnosed with it. After i research my chronic diarrhea (that I had for years and years) my doctor prescribed the Colestipol for me..I now have my life back! Ridiculous that you must wait! Two other drugs will stop chronic diarrhea in it's ugly tracks, too: Welchol and Questran! Doctors should just prescribe this to you and anyone else suffering with this. I wish some of these doctors would have to deal with this...maybe they would be more understanding of how it feels to be chained to the toilet all day!!!

[Katie98 in reply to sweetsusie]

I had a letter through today to say a telephone consultation has been arranged in just less than a months time. Unfortunately that doesn't help me with my upcoming exams and the birth of my niece or nephew. However, its much sooner than I expected because I was originally given a 3 month wait so I have to assume that they have some results. They were checking out my pancreas too and I haven't heard anything back. Usually I'd take no news as a good thing but with how my results have been handled previously, I am on edge lol. Hopefully this time he'll be willing to prescribe one of those medicines you and others have suggested. Otherwise I'm considering making a complaint with how everything has been handled.

[sweetsusie in reply to Katie98]

Yes...I hope you do not have to file a complaint and that your doctor will officially grow his brain! But if not, I encourage you to file a complaint. Good luck..keep us posted!