No I havent, infact I dont know anyone that has had it done. I have heard of it before, please let us know how it was. I think its a good idea.

I will let you know. I'm still waiting for a call back to schedule it. I really am hoping it can help us IBS people figure out what is really wrong with us. I also have an autoimmune, does anyone else have that too by the way?, so I kind of think it's from that, but we will never know because doctors can't confirm that.

My GI recommended the camera test for me, pre-colonoscopy, however they found out for sure I had IBS though due to infection so I never had it done. It works pretty well from what I have heard from people in my area who have had it done and it seems that it is pretty informative. As for the immune disorder issue, I came clean on that one also, per my infectious disease doctor. Good luck and I hope you find answers soon.

I haven't had it. My GI doc wants to do a small bowel follow through which I guess is a similar test but more "hands on." I think you drink barium (or some sort of radiactive chalky stuff) and then have x-rays every 30 minutes or so. It can take up to 5 or 6 hours to get all the way through. Not sure I'm going to have it done after reading how much radiation it gives off.

I don't have all the typical IBS symptoms, just loose bowels and fat malabsorption with no other GI symptoms - all triggered by abdominal surgery 6 years ago. My GI doc thought it was more likely pancreatitis but I don't have pain and US showed normal pancreas, gallbladder, ducts, and liver. An EUS of pancreas was also recommended but I probably won't do it.

Any tips on what autoimmune tests would be worthwhile?

Hope you get some answers.

hi, thanks guys. I'm still waiting for a call back to get the test done. I have a feeling they are still going to tell me I have IBS. I'm finding more leads that it could be from my autoimmune. The barium test is aweful, good luck with that. I went throught that, and I got done within an hour, so it just depends on the patient. I was having stomach issues that morning and the minute that stuff hit my stomach, it went straight through and was in my colon within 15 minutes so they had to rush the pictures and ultrasound. They still claim it came back negative for anything. As far as Autoimmune, I've been tested for several and will be seeing a Ruematologist, they specialize in that stuff. As far as my research could show me the main autoimmunes that effect the bowels are crohns, colitis, graves, and lupus. My docs claim I don't have any of those. I did find someone that has Hashimoto's like me and has stomach issues and hers cleared up when she started stabilizing her thyroid hormones. So far I have been on Thyroid meds for 6 months and still no change and I've increased them once. So I'm not sure if I need to increase them further or not, I kind of find it very discuraging. I hate living this way and I am nervous out of my mind because in two weeks we are driving out of state to visit family. I know how to make myself ok on the way there, but I don't know how I'm going to make it through the trip and home with all these dumb issues. I kind of don't want to go, it's my husbands family and he really wants to go. So we'll see. But this is a nightmare! and it really sucks that I am the only one facing these issues.

The worst part often is the waiting and then of course most tests. I have a few friends who have thyriod, chrons and the other conditions you mentioned. I know it seems impossible, but they all do actually live normal happy lives. While I would never wish these conditions on anyone (just as I would never wish IBS on anyone), what I am trying to say is try not to give up hope. (Easy to say, I know. Harder to due).

Before my IBS diagnosis, I went through more tests than I can count and spent over a year scared out of my mind over about a GI infection I couldn't control. Along the way, I met a lot of wonderful people who were much sicker than I ever imagined I could be. The one thing I found consistently is that no matter how old you are or how ill two things are true: everyone faces struggles in their life and the human body is a lot stronger than we often give it credit for.

For your sake, I hope that you find the answers to your questions and as for the rest, may you find the patience you need to get there, the strength to get you through each day, the peace to accept whatever trials lie ahead. May you also always know that you are never alone.

Thanks guys. I just found out that my health insurance won't cover the camera test. I am going to call them and try to appeal it, but until then I am stuck just coping.

See if you can get your GI on board also. I know mine appealed a treatment for me in another situation and having an expert on hand worked pretty well. Hang in there and many hugs.

Yeah, I'm waiting for a call back. Because the insurance is claiming that I did not have anyother testing done and I don't have symptoms such as bloating, cramps, diarrhea, blah, blah, ect. When I do! So we are definately going to try and appeal it.