A Patient's Perspective

A Patient's Perspective

By Jennifer Tipton

Everyone asks "Why me?" at some point in life. I know that I am a lucky young adult. I have a wonderful family and great friends, but being diagnosed with an incurable chronic disease at age 16 is the pits.

I always had a nervous stomach, but the pain peaked when I was nearing 15. In the past few years, I was diagnosed with lactose intolerance, ulcers and erosions throughout my stomach, severe GERD/acid reflux, Crohn's disease in my small intestine and the doctors are still testing for more illnesses. As one could imagine, I have been poked and prodded in every way. I have been tested so many times for different diseases, I've lost count.

I started by first visiting a family physician, who recommended a pediatric gastroneurologist. Treatment with this physician progressed slowly -- he wanted to hospitalize me for several weeks so I could receive steroids intravenously. My mom, however, disagreed with this proposed treatment and suggested we look for a holistic solution. Although the process was slow, I finally started to feel better. When I left for college, I began seeing a rural gastroenterologist -- one of only three nationally -- and my symptoms started to worsen. The pain soon started controlling my life. My family stepped in and decided it was time to seek the best treatment and care available.

We made an appointment with a specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. My new physician quickly ordered a plethora of tests I had not tried, and asked if I would be interested in participating in a research study. All I had to do was swallow a pill and be under observation for one day. There was no question if I was willing; I was ready in a heartbeat!

I did not know all the details about this new procedure, but I knew it involved swallowing a video capsule and wearing a belt that contained a receiver. The device would later process the video color images and be viewed on a computer. The capsule is eliminated in one's stool, making any removal process unnecessary.

The day of the procedure, my mom and I arrived at the Mayo Clinic at 6:45 a.m. for a final explanation and to set up the system I would be wearing. Although I knew I was in the best hands, I could not help being nervous, even though the probability was only 2 percent that I would suffer from any type of side effect. (My nervous stomach probably contributes to my many stomach problems.) Prior to the test I had nothing to eat or drink for more than eight hours.

The nurses had the sensor array of the recorder attached with adhesive pads to my stomach, then I was asked to swallow what looked like a flashing horse pill. Because the large pill is coated in silicon, it was fairly easy to swallow. I knew I was going to have a sensory belt for the day, but I envisioned a small device under my clothing. I planned to spend the day at my friend's house until I saw the contraption I would be wearing. Much to my surprise, the sensors covered my entire upper torso because they were meant for someone significantly larger. (I am 5 feet, 1 inch and weigh about 90 pounds.) The nurses giggled as they put this oversized belt around my body, leaving it hanging inches from my abdomen. The equipment is built for older, large people who may even need Velcro extenders to get the belt around their waists.

I was allowed to drink water two hours after swallowing the pill. Four hours later I was allowed liquid foods, such as Jell-O and chicken broth. Instead of venturing out with friends, I went home to my dogs, who couldn't laugh at my new device. I returned to the Mayo Clinic around 4 p.m. to remove the belt and recorder so the images could be analyzed.

One week later, I returned to the facility for an X-ray of my abdomen to make sure the capsule was not still in my stomach. If that had been the case, I would have had to have an enema or taken a laxative. Luckily, the video capsule had already passed. I am anxiously awaiting the results and hope this procedure will provide a solution to my continuing digestive pain.

Jennifer Tipton is a student at Northern Arizona University.

Editor's note: At press time, Jennifer is still awaiting her results, and pursuing an active life. She wishes to thank her mother for her unwavering support, and Dr. Ramzan, for encouraging her to participate in the research study, which involved video capsule endoscopy technology from Given Imaging.