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621217 tn?1289009087

Can anyone tell me what its like to get a Gastric Eptying scan?

I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what its like to get a gastric emptying.  I have really, really bad anxiety so I've been putting it off for a long time, since they told me I'm not aloud to have my BF come in with me (im assuming because of radiation or something?)  But I've become really ill again and I'm sure this is the first test their going to want to do.  I heard it can take up to 4 hours?!?!  I feel like I will freak out, espesialy if I start feeling really sick (lol the reason i need to go in the first place).  I was ok with the colonascopy and the 2 edoscopys I had, but i know knocked out for them.  And the ultrasound was ok because they let my BF sit with me. Is is possible for them to put me under for it?  Are the lights usely dimed so it might be possable for me to fall asleep?  Will they let me bring in an Ipod or will it interfear with the equiptment?  If anyone can offer me any advice or anthing to make this go easier that would be sooo great.  Thanks guys.
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621217 tn?1289009087
Thank you both for the information.  *sigh* and after all that, I went into my GI this morning, He wants to hold of on the gastric emptying scan for now.  He decided he wants to do and endoscopy and a scope of my sigmond colon (again), he also wants to do an X-ray of my small bowl AND have me take a lactose intolerance test as well as a test to make sure i dont have an over growth of bacteria in my system. LOL now I wish all I had to do was the gastric emptying scan.  I guess as long as they can figuer out was going on and a way to fix it.... or atleast a way to make me feel better.  I want to get my life back...
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Avatar universal
yes, it was the breakfast also, I'm thinking maybe the pill was easier to trace all the way through to the colon, who knows. Now they called me this morning and asked if I wanted to be in a clinical study for 3 days, due to the results of my test..Don't think I want to put myself through that, just want my symptoms diagnosed properly..
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Avatar universal
Oh okay, I thought you were just taking a pill, which doesn't measure the emptying the stomach as well as a meal.  I also had a sitsmarker test where you swallow a pill that has tracers in it that can be seen on an x-ray and then you get x-rays every day until they have all emptied from your stomach.  I guess they all just serve the same purpose.
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Avatar universal
It is one and the same test, of the 10 people doing the test same time as me several did the one you decribe, which is the short version just looking at the stomach, there are a few variances in the tests but they are the same.My dr at Mayo clinic was going to order just the gastric empty study for me , but decided to do the extended gastic empty on me as he wanted to also see how it moves through my small intestines and bowel.
Nuclear Medicine Gastric Emptying Study

The Gastric Emptying Study will show if you have slow or rapid emptying of your stomach. The Gastric Emptying Study can also show if you have gastric reflux (GERD). Your doctor will use this information to determine the best treatment for you.

  

How do you get ready for the test?
•Do not eat or drink after midnight the day the test is scheduled.
•You will not need a change of clothes.
•You may take medications prior to this test if you are advised by your doctor.
•If you are diabetic please bring your glucometer and medications including insulin.
•This test takes over 4 hours and images will be made at specific times.
•Let the technologist know if you are pregnant or nursing.


What is done during the test?
The radiology technologist will explain the Nuclear Medicine Gastric Emptying Study to you. Ask questions if you don't understand.

You will be given a special meal to eat. This meal includes Egg-Beaters with a small amount of a radioactive tracer (mixed in), 2 slices of toast and a small amount of jam. If you have an allergy to eggs please inform the scheduler. Oatmeal will be substituted. You will also have 6 ounces of water. You will not be allowed to eat until this test is completed.

Images will be made at specific times over a 4 hour period.

Mine was same test but longer also adding a radioactive pill to the radioactive breakfast.
◦Gastric emptying, small bowel, and colon transit study: six hours on the first day and for 30 minutes on each of the three successive days for images
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Avatar universal
Actually they are a little different.  What you describe as gastric empty/small bowel/colon is very similar to a sitsmarker test.  The test I'm describing and what I believe she is having, you eat a meal not take a capsule.  When you google "gastric emptying scan" you get the test I'm describing: http://www.medicinenet.com/gastric_emptying_study/article.htm.  That's strange that the doctors called your test a gastric emptying scan.  I guess some doctors just have different names/procedures for things.
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Avatar universal
The two procedures above are the same just different lenghts of time. When I had mine they were doing ten people that day, some were the shorter scans and others were the full scans as mine was.Your Dr. will order 1 of the 3 scans.
1. Gastric Empty (watching the capsule travel through your stomach)
2. Gastric Empty/small bowel (watching through your stomach and small intestines)
3. Gastric Empty/small bowel/colon (watching through stomach small intestines and colon)

It watches how slowley or quickly things move through the digestive process.
Because mine was the full scan over a 2 day period I was able to come and go between scans. If yours is the 1st one and only takes 4 hrs then you'll probably hang around in the waiting room between scans.You lay on the table and a big square scanner is positioned above your stomach, you just lay there and they take the pictures.It's not like having a CT scan or an MRI where your enclosed. It really is very simple. If they let your BF in great if not I'm sure you'll be just fine.. For me I'm so tired of people poking and proding inside that I was thrilled to finally have a non-invasive procedure.Good Luck
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621217 tn?1289009087
Thanks for your help.  I'm not sure what test they'll be giving me.  But I think the one you described is more like it.  Ever since I started having GI issues two years ago I've developed a fear of being alone, or like stuck in places.  So maybe i can get my theapist to convince my GI I need him there to stay calm.  If I think of any other questions I'll let you know.  Thanks again.
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Avatar universal
I believe you are getting a scan that is different from the one LCP01 got.  I believe you are getting the 4 hour one which is the one I got.  The way it works is you arrive in the morning after not having anything to eat past midnight.  You are allowed to stay in the same clothes you are in.  They serve you a meal that contains protein, fat, and sugar.  My meal was egg substitute with toast and jam with a little bit of water.  The radioactive material is in the food but you can't taste it.  You then start getting scanned.  For me, I had a 20 minute scan and then I had to come back in 30 minutes to do a 5 minute scan and then 30 minutes later for another 5 minute scan (this process continued for 4 hours).  You are not allowed to have anything to drink or eat during the time.  You will only feel the amount of sickness you normally get when you eat a normal meal.  The radioactive material will not make you feel sick.  My mom stayed right next to me throughout the entire process.  She was even allowed in the room where I was being scanned.  Now this may have been because I was under 18 when I was getting the scan done.  Your boyfriend probably isn't allowed to come because the hospital is being stingy, but if you told them it was for "psychological reasons" that you needed him there, they might understand.  They can't put you under for it because being put under affects your digestion.  The lights can be dimmed and I fell asleep during my 20 minute scan.  I'm not sure if they will let you bring an Ipod in.  It was long and boring and the food didn't taste too good but it will be way easier then the other things you've had done (like a colonoscopy prep).  If you have any other questions just let me know.
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621217 tn?1289009087
... did you get to leave the hospital between scans?
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Avatar universal
I just finished 2 days at Mayo for the gastic emptying scan. It's completely non-evasive an is about the simplest test you'll ever have. Day 1 I arrived at 7am and had to swallow a radioactive capsule with water, (which is harmless it just allows them to see it on the scan, to see how it's moving through your system)followed by a radioactive breakfast, which includes scrambled eggs, toast and water or milk then they take you in for the scan, you lay on the table fully clothed (don't even have to change into a gown) the scan takes 5 min, then you come back for a 5 min scan about 5 more time throughout the day and one the next morning at 7 am.. thats it I got my results later in the day. The hardest part for me was no coffee for 2 days and you eat your lunch at the exact time they tell you, nothing to drink except when they say. Anymore questions just let me know. Hope this helps.
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