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Dear Friends:

Decided to summarize after my consultation and after I did some research. It
was difficult finding a Dr. in my area to perform this test.  I did have 22
responses which I have listed below and my comments are in parenthesis.

Go to an Gastroenterologist (who else would I go to)?
Undiagnosed celiacs have a higher than normal occurrence of bowel cancer.
Lower endoscopy more valuable can remove polyps at the same time.
2 people were asleep during the procedure (I'm sure they were referring to a
regular endoscopy)
2 said this cannot be used for initial diagnosis as it cannot take a biopsy
Fasting is hard
Nothing to eat at all
Ask about side effects (There are none)
One person said Dr. Fassano says once diagnosed no need to test again.  Blood
test can tell if you are compliant.
Easy test no pain or discomfort
Sees areas that cannot be seen with endoscopy or colonoscopy
Preparation same as for colonoscopy (Not---Nothing to take but because I am
always constipated  I am to take a Ducolax the night before)
Take Picoprep night before no solid food from  9:00am the day before
Prep clear liquids and laxative to clean out 5-8 hours before.
Take many laxatives and eat nothing for 30 hours (I fast after midnight and
can eat 4 hours after ingesting the pill which will be  a total of 13 1/2 hours)
Take a muscle relaxant prior to swallowing capsule (I do not have to do this)
Wear very big comfortable clothing without zippers (I can have zippers and
buttons)
2 people said must  take it easy and sit around for 8 hours bring a book (I
am able to continue my normal day working -shopping -driving etc. but no
exercising or heavy lifting)
Have to walk around all day (I do not)
Technical name is M2A means mouth to anus
Capsule is the size of a large vitamin It records images from the camera (I
saw a sample and it is about that size.  There is a tiny light at one end which
is the camera)
Computer is attached to a large heavy belt with a power pack and a hard disc
which goes over your clothing (Mine goes underneath my clothing)
Non-invasive wires are attached to areas of the body (The leads are attached
to the stomach and chest)
Eliminate camera 24-48 hours.  One person took 5 days (I hope not)
Watch for camera to be eliminated in bowel movement (I do not have to watch
for it)
Keep checking that the battery light is on (Told not necessary)
4 sites recommended forums.delphiforums.com/celiac/messages,
www.gihealth.com/htm/test/given.html,  www.mayoclinic.org/gi-sct/capsuleendo.html,
www.mayoclinic.org/news2002-jax/1432.html,  maelstrom.st.johns.eduarchives/celiac.htnl

And that is the summary.  Thanks to everyone for such valuable information.
Next I will report on the actual test.  I know this is long but I wanted you
to see some of the differences.

Sandy in NJ

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