This Is Disgusting.....

[SueC]

You are an inspiration to those of us that know this too is our destiny.....

Please keep us informed of any do's and DONT"S that only come with experience!

Hang in there... less that 48 hours to go!!!!

Sue

[Guest vetnurse]

Oh Karen I can relate, imagine how happy I was when I went for my bloods for celiac, I also had to get the stuff for giardia tests etc., the girl looks at me with a straight face, lol, and tells me she needs 4 stool samples one from every time I went, which I thought to myself, Oh no problem I am always going! here is the catch, the stool cannot touch the water, oh I said, how can I arrange this now, she tells me to line the toilet with either saran or aluminum foil and go on that, I thought oh sure, lol. Picture this you are now half asleep running to your kitchen to pull foil from the draw, to line the toilet, only to sit on the foil (lined it to tight) for the foil to break and the stool, well it hits the water O I can relate, took me forever to finish the test! Hang in there

[Canadian Karen]

I can remember getting samples for that too. I resorted to disposable aluminum pie plates that I would hold while I did the deed!!! It worked!

Karen

[angel-jd1]

Okay, I had my follow-up with my GI specialist down at St. Mike's in Toronto. He is sending me to an immunologist to see if he can figure me out..... He did mention something about maybe an enzyme syndrome (I forgot the name of it) that he said is quite rare, but wanted to look into it further....... He did a few more blood tests. But here is the worst part: He wants to measure the fat content of my bowel movements for 48 hours (normally, it is 72 hours but he said since I go so often, 48 hours will suffice for me.....). I have to basically poop into a paint can (yes, you read correctly, a paint can.....) I went down to the lab in the hospital and they actually give you a paint can to collect all your bowel movements!!! Actually, they gave me two, due to the number of bowel movements I have in the span of one day...... All I have to say is: THIS IS THE MOST VILE THING I HAVE EVER HAD TO DO!!!! It is so unfair to have to put my family through this! I have basically told them that the downstairs bathroom is OFF LIMITS for two days, and Terry and the four kids have to put up with sharing one bathroom for the next two days!!!! I will be sooooo glad when this is over!! Add on top of that the fact that my back is killing me and you can just imagine (sorry for the visual, lol!) me trying to get down onto a paint can on the floor without toppling over!!!! I am having nightmares about falling over and knocking the can over!!!!

Wish me luck that I will get through the next two days without losing my sanity!!!

Hugs,

Karen

I had to collect my poo also, but just one sample. I totally feel your pain. It is the most degrating event ever!!

The lab DID give me a little bucket that attached to the inside of the toilet to collect the stuffs though. You might try asking for one of those.

Funny thing is, after they gave me all of my "equipment" for the sample collection, they stuck it in this hazardous waste plastic bag and I had to walk out of their office with it, down the hall, ride in the elevator (with people staring at me) then walk across a huge parking lot!!! THEN had to bring the poo back in that bag the next day doing the trip all over again!! I sure got some wierdo looks.

What we won't do for a solid diagnosis

-Jessica

[Canadian Karen]

Okay, I am getting the hang of this even though it is DISGUSTING!!!

I only wish I had kept the little toddler cushioned potty seat (you know the ones that you put over your own toilet so their little bums won't fall through the big hole??). After my twin boys were trained, I threw it out - now I could sure use it! The bones in my behind are getting sore from sitting right on the rim of the paint can!!!! Sorry for the visual, guys...........

This too shall pass.............

Karen

[cmom]

You guys crack me up!! I remember when they were still trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I had to take a stool sample to the hospital lab. She asked me when I "obtained" it and when I told her she said "Oh, we can't use that; it's been too long." Then I said, "Well, I can give you another one right now." She said, "Can you go at will or what?" I said, "sure can!" Needless to say, they still got their specimen!

[Canadian Karen]

Way to show 'em Robin!!!!

Hey, some people can burp at will, well, we Celiacs can............ you know........

Karen

[jenvan]

Ha ha Robin! On Demand !

[cdford]

I had to do it for a five yr old. It was more trouble than holding him still for a barium enema!

[jenvan]

wow Donna--that would be a hard job !!

[westiepaws]

No physician should reaquire his/her patient to undergo any process or procedure that he/she has not experienced personally. I mean, hey -- how many of these M.D.s ever pooped into a paint can, much less gave chemo or radiation a whirl, or get regular colonoscopies, etc., themselves?!

westiepaws

[Guest BERNESES]

Bingo - I'd love to see both my GI's put in Karen's paint can!

[Guest Viola]

Still ... I think it's easier doing it myself than to try and get a five year old to do it You deserve a medal for that one Donna!