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CAMERA PILL

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 10/1/2005 11:35 AM (GMT -7)
i have seen these on the telly , just wondering if there is any way of getting them , do you have to go privatly , i am awaiting an ultrasound , and fromg what i can gather from others and on here , after i will be sent for an endoscopy and other invasive examinations , which to be frank all completly frighten the life out of me , and if i could get thecamera pill you could swallow i would be a million times happier even if i have to pay for it, i dont care , i would rather live with the pain and discomfort than get the test , i know this must sound incredibly silly and chilidsh but just the thought of anything like that makes me feel sick sad
Posted 10/1/2005 12:36 PM (GMT -7)
Lila, you get the camera pill from your GI doc. Mine had told me that unless you do a colonoscopy first insurance WILL NOT cover it. I heard it was a few thousand dollars. Try not to worry about the scopes, they really aren't as bad as they seem. If you're only doing the upper scope (not colonoscopy) then all you have to do is go hungry for a some hours. If you're having your colon checked then you sit on the pot all night and clean yourself out. I tried to look on the bright side - AT LEAST NOW I HAVE A CLEAN COLON TO WORK WITH. It's actually kind of healthy.
Posted 10/1/2005 1:32 PM (GMT -7)
Welcome Lila. I live in Canada and am going to swallow the pill camera when the dr. phones and makes my appointment. I have been through all the testing and everything has come back negative which is good except that I suffer from daily abdominal pain. Since my tests have come back negative and the camera pill is a recent tool not used specifically for diagnosis (I think?) I have to pay out of my pocket. It will cost $1500. but at this point I'm desperate. 7Lil is correct, a GI has to order this for you.
Posted 10/1/2005 2:18 PM (GMT -7)
I agree. The pill is very expensive and insurance companies are not always keen on approving this testing method. Another thing to consider, at least with my insurance, is that if your problems are in areas that can be seen with an endoscopy or colonoscopy , the insurance company will almost never approve it the pill. It is mostly used to get views of areas like the small intestines that the scopes can't reach. The camera pill does have some drawbacks also because it isn't able to get a 360 degree view so it may miss areas. Just something to consider.
Posted 10/1/2005 5:25 PM (GMT -7)
The camera pill will only be approved after EGD/colonoscopies are done.  The thing about the pill is that it can't take biopsies, and those are often the most effective in getting to the root of people's problems.  The scopings really aren't that bad.  They put you out for them.  I've had two of each and never had any problems during or after them; it's just the colonoscopy prep sucks, but if you have a friend with you it can actually be kind of amusing.  Make poop jokes all night.  Good luck!

Posted 10/2/2005 3:52 AM (GMT -7)

i really cant get over how brave all of you people , i am just not brave enough , i am a great big woos e, and would never cope i would have a nervous break down , it tool 6 month for me to be persuaded to go to the doctor. and that was only really cos i was losing weight and was frightening poeple into thinking i had anorexia which i knew i didnt.

my mam has colonoscopies and  another one i cant remeber the name of so i know all about the lead up to and the procedure . my pains and things arent to bad at the minute , i am just having aches on a morning , and i am acctually putting on weight know , and am back to what i wasb4 i lost a lot of weight at xmas , so i think after the ultrsound , i will just say no thankyou to any futher examinations sad

Posted 10/2/2005 10:40 AM (GMT -7)
Lila, your health is the most important thing you have. You may think we are all braver than you but we are just doing what we NEED to do. You can do it too.
I am glad you are feeling better... for now. But what if down the road your troubles start up again? Your family loves you and will for sure try and persuade you to seek help once again. Please see that you are worth it.
Posted 10/3/2005 10:26 AM (GMT -7)
Check out the new recent advance in camera pills

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8081
Posted 10/3/2005 10:30 AM (GMT -7)
EEK... it has six legs LOL...Sounds like a bug... No really, it does sounds like they are making improvements to this option of the capsule endoscopy which is wonderful to hear. Thanks whoa for sharing the article. :)
Posted 10/3/2005 2:27 PM (GMT -7)
If you live in the Cleveland area. A doctor offers it at the Cleveland Clinic I believe. There was an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer Magazine 9/11/04 issue.
Posted 10/3/2005 2:28 PM (GMT -7)
Also I thought this article said it was on several hundred $s. Just like a scope. Which is about $700-800 depending on if it with reflex/bxs/ect
Posted 10/3/2005 2:29 PM (GMT -7)
Dang, I need to go to your part of the country where procedures are cheaper. Here in Cali (the bay area) I am in major debt with all my doctor bills.

Post Edited (7Lil) : 10/3/2005 3:32:52 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/3/2005 2:42 PM (GMT -7)
Really - I have excellent insurance that covered all but $250 deductible. But I also work in the medical field - so I need good insurance. However if I paid Cash my colonoscopy would have been $750
Posted 10/3/2005 2:53 PM (GMT -7)
I have the best insurance my company offers (Blue Cross PPO) and my deductible is $2K. I hit that easily. My scopes (upper & lower combined) cost $3K, of which I paid $800. Then I had all the other tests, etc., etc. I have a gigantic file with all my medical related bills/records that weights a few pounds. Health care is tooooooo expensive.
Posted 10/4/2005 5:58 AM (GMT -7)
Hey all! I hopped over here from the UC forum and saw this topic. I have had the camera pill testing to rule out Crohn's. It is painless, the only thing that causes any discomfort is the monitor you must wear around your waist for several hours as it records the images from the pill, it is very minor, nothing really besides a bit itchy at times. :)

I also have BC/BS PPO (I live in Texas) and coverage is different from state to state. I know this because of back surgery I need and it is not covered in Texas only in a couple of other states, go figure! At the time I had met my deductible, thank goodness as the bill for the camera was over $3000.00! UGH!!

Thanks for letting me jump into this conversation, it really is a interesting test...amazing what they can do now days!

Be well
Posted 10/4/2005 7:31 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks for your input Teena... you are always welcome!!! :)
Posted 10/5/2005 3:06 PM (GMT -7)
Hmmmm I live in Ohio but I work for a company in Michigan. SO I have BCBS of Michigan. I have the best plan available for them Like plan 3 or something like that. Its really good. Lots of things are only $20 copay (if they are by a in network doc)
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