Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Video Endoscopy Capsule


4tomorrow

Recommended Posts

4tomorrow Apprentice

I have posted a few questions on here. I believe that I am at the very least gluten intolerant. I have been living on bananas, turkey/chicken, and rice cakes for days. I am taking librax also. I ate one of those small packages of blueberry muffins tonight and was in terrible pain for hours.

I am trying Heather VanVorous IBS diet to prove to myself and others that I don't have IBS. My pain is about 2-3 in. above my navel.

Enterolab received my kit last Wednesday, so I'm hoping for my results soon but I know that they are busy.

My GI is convinced I don't have celiac but noted that she saw "flattening of the mucosal folds in the duodenum, which are consistent with Celiac disease". My biopsy came back fine as did my blood tests.

So, on to my point. Will there be any evidence that could prove/disprove my theory of celiac by the video capsule endoscopy? I was just wondering if anyone else had had one done.

Disclaimer: I did a search and did not find anything relevant to this.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Nancym Enthusiast

I doubt it because they look at those biopsy slides with a microscope. Are you going to swallow a camera? :D How cool is that!

4tomorrow Apprentice

Yes, it's the size of a large vitamin. I'll have a belt on that it transmits too. It'll take about 55,000 pics of my small intestine. I would love to get a copy of it.

Canadian Karen Community Regular

I found this about it:

Open Original Shared Link

I have heard of it before, but don't know of anyone who has had this done.....

Karen

4tomorrow Apprentice

Thanks for the research. I'll let everyone know what happens with it. It should be really interesting.

Guest nini

one of the ladies in our support group had this done as a follow up to make sure she was complying with the diet. I can't remember exactly what she said they found, but I do remember that it sounded really cool!

jenvan Collaborator

Go here and scroll down to see pill cam images of Celiac: Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link I can't find the article, but I read one on the pill cam being an inferior means to diagnosing Celiac. I would say the endoscopy/biopsy is better. The pill cam is not a microscope and can only show regular images. Sometimes that means showing Celiac, other times it does not. I like the biopsy b/c it tells you a lot of things the pill cam can't, like increased lymphocytes etc. I think of the article I'll let you know. It does seem like the pill cam is becoming more popular though. I had a friend who did it and thought it was fun :)


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



jerseyangel Proficient

My mom had it done last year. She had been hospitalized after a fall, and her hemiglobin was very low, and they couldn't figure out why. She had a colo. and endo., but there's a portion of the intestine that is not viewed by either of those, so she swallowed the camera. She then had to wear a little 'battery pack' looking thing for several hours afterwards, and then go back to the drs. Her's showed nothing abnormal. I wouldn't think it would be useful in dx. Celiac, as any damage seen is through a microscope. That said, my dr. saw 'changes' during my endo. and told me to begin the diet that day.

mmaccartney Explorer

I have had the test performed. My GI Doc called it a Camera Endoscopy. He suggested it after ALL my testing showed absolutely nothing wrong with me, (bloodwork, Upper GI series, endoscopy, colonscopy). basically just swallow a pill sized camera and wear a vest that records the pictures. It took about 6 hours and was absoultely painless. the vest was a tad uncomfortable, but compared to an upper endoscopy or a colonoscopy I'll take it any day.

As someone pointed out though, no biospies can be taken BUT it shows parts of your intesties that are normally only visible through surgery! My GI doc indicated that the picture showed simliar patterns and "folds" that are consistent with celiac sprue. based on that we did another upper endoscopy and got a biopsy. That showed negative for celiac. However I don't know if he biposied the correct location (he indicated that the inflammation and "folds" he noticed were about 1.5 hours into the digestive process dont know if that location is visible through endoscopy or not...), did the lab use a microscope? How good is the lab at dx for celiac?? I don't have any of those answers.

He also did the test to rule out Chron's disease which is what my insurance company also wanted to hear to cover the ~$1500 test. My attitude, it sure as heck beat exploratory surgery!!!!!

Nancym Enthusiast

Just curious... how is the camera retrieved? Or is it? :D

Why must I always be the one to ask the difficult questions?!?! :P

jenvan Collaborator

It comes out the other end :)

Guest nini
It comes out the other end :)

ewwwwwww :lol:

Nancym Enthusiast
It comes out the other end :)

I was sort of figuring that. But doesn't it take days for it to pass? Or does it get through in those 6 hours? And do they retrive it and reuse it? :D Oh dear... I really shouldn't think so hard.

jerseyangel Proficient

No. they don't retrieve it--it just 'goes' away ;)

4tomorrow Apprentice

I'd say if they were reusable they would have a VERY hard time getting anyone to swallow it. :P

Nancym Enthusiast
I'd say if they were reusable they would have a VERY hard time getting anyone to swallow it. :P

LOL! I should say so! I figured maybe the open it up, yank the camera out and put it inside another capsule.

This is the coolest technology! Reminds me of when they miniaturized guys and injected them into someone blood stream in some movie.

celiac3270 Collaborator

To my knowledge:

The video capsule endoscopy takes images, but the main problem is that it can't take intestinal samples, which are the CRITICAL part of an endoscopy, moreso than the images. So it is an inferior means.

elfkin Contributor

My husband had this done. They said they didn't find anything. He also had exploratory surgery - nothing there either. I wonder if they did the right blood test on him for celiac? They said it was negative. They said that he had reflux, mild colitis, severe IBS or viseral hypersensitivity, and possibly allergies. :blink:

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,901
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    tessycork47
    Newest Member
    tessycork47
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.