Slow transit scan : Can anyone tell me what this... - IBS Network

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Slow transit scan

Gardenlover2020 profile image
19 Replies

Can anyone tell me what this involves please ?

I’ve stupidly looked it up online & read that you have to stop taking laxatives for 6 days whilst doing it & takes different coloured pills each day ??

I hope this is not the case as the thought of not taking laxatives for 6 days fills me with horror , I’m already stressing about it . Please tell me this is not the case 😬

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Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020
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19 Replies
Meleber profile image
Meleber

Hi, I have had this test (in the Netherlands) and asked my gastroenterologist if I had to stop taking the laxative temporarily. Fortunately he told me I didn't had to so I suggest you talk to your doctor / gastroenterologist.

Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020 in reply toMeleber

Thank you I’m going to speak to the doctor tomorrow, so I’ll ask her & try & find out exactly what kind of a scan I’m having .

I may have to wait for the letter to come from the consultant, I wish I’d never looked it up online , I couldn’t possibly manage without laxatives for 6 days

Meleber profile image
Meleber in reply toGardenlover2020

Hi, did you talk to your doctor and what did she/he say?

Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020 in reply toMeleber

I spoke to my doctor , she didn’t know 🙄

So I spoke to the consultant via his secretary & he said it’s fine to carry on taking the laxatives, the test can still be done , thank goodness!

Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020 in reply toMeleber

Thanks for suggesting I’m glad I asked now

Meleber profile image
Meleber in reply toGardenlover2020

👍🏻

AmandaJW profile image
AmandaJW

Hi, I've has the this test done and I had to stop all laxatives and medication that speeds up or slows down the bowel for a week before the test. Also you can't take any medication until after all the scans have been completed, in my case it was day 6 after the initial scan. In total I was off all bowel medication for 13 days. I know this sounds daunting but stick with it, it will all be worthwhile in the end because the results of the test will determine the next course of treatment that you might need. The very best of luck and don't forget stick with it no matter how hard it might get.

Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020 in reply toAmandaJW

Oh don’t tell me that it makes the thought of it even more daunting ! I’ll have to wait & see what he has in mind , I believe a camera capsule scan also shows slow transit , it’s just that it’s more expensive, I imagine , but a lot more comfortable for the patient .

I had to take transit-pellets radiopaque markers for 6 days before an x-Ray. I think that if you use laxatives or assist your bowels in any way the ‘natural’ transit speed of the bowel can’t be measured. It’s far from easy to do but it’s probably the only way you’ll ever definitely know if you have slow transit.

Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020 in reply to

I totally understand what you’re saying , it’s just the thought of it , it’s sending my anxiety sky high ! How did you manage to do it ?

Did they give you laxatives as soon as you’d finished the treatment ?

in reply toGardenlover2020

It wasn't easy but I needed a diagnosis. Gordon's was helpful! No they didn't it's very quick and you go home straight afterwards.

Orchid99 profile image
Orchid99

I just completed my transit study although mine was a nuclear study which meant my radioactive tracer was put in water and I had to drink it. I also had to stop all laxative and spasmodic meds for over a week, despite how hard it may be I wanted the test to be accurate so just beared with it. I suffer with overflow diarrhoea with my slow transit and did flare once half way through the week and then got really constipated for 8 days after until my laxative took effect again, but you can get though it, its just 1 week 🙂

Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020 in reply toOrchid99

I don’t know how you did it ! I’ve spoken to my consultant today and he said it’s fine to carry on taking the laxatives , thank goodness 😅

What treatment did they give you following the scan to help with the slow transit ?

Orchid99 profile image
Orchid99 in reply toGardenlover2020

I'm still waiting for my treatment options, had my test in July not got my gastro appointment until October 😒

Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020 in reply toOrchid99

That’s a long time for you to wait , it’s tedious isn’t it 🙄I wish I’d got loads of money I’d get it all done privately , it’s so much quicker

Orchid99 profile image
Orchid99 in reply toGardenlover2020

Totally agree, I even emailed him to ask of there was anything I could take in the mean time for pain because my gp won't do anything because I'm a complex case apparently and they don't know much about slow transit and I've had no response. I believe I will be asked to trial prucalopride or linzess.

Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020 in reply toOrchid99

I think Prucalopride would be a good idea to try , I take it and although it’s not as effective as it was in the beginning, it still works along with the Bisacodyl. I asked my doctor to prescribe it for me & she had never heard of it 🙄so she wrote to the gastroenterologist & he said I could have it as I’d been on the over the counter laxatives for a while , 9 months

I’ve got Linaclotide in the cupboard as well but that didn’t help , I’m like a chemist I’ve got that much stuff I’ve tried & my doctor is like yours , she has her limits on what she can do , but she’s good at handing out meds 👍😂

casares8 profile image
casares8

How do you get this slow transit test? I am sure this is a problem for me but do not have access to a gastroenterologist. Can normal doctor ask for this?

Gardenlover2020 profile image
Gardenlover2020 in reply tocasares8

If you ask your Gp about it , could they refer you to a gastroenterologist?

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