That's shocking babe. I can't believe noone will offer it!!
I have a couple of Gastroscopies. One I waited to get into a Public Hossy and the wait was 6 weeks but the second time (earlier this year) I went to a private clinic who specialises in them. I paid $220 for the whole thing. Was quick and easy and got in within a week. Could you see if there is a private place around you?
I was quite sick when I had it done and was so close to being hospitalised. (A few other things were going on too) Turned out I had Helicobacter and then had to take a ****tail of drugs to get rid of it
VERY!
All I want is the option to an accurate, non-invasive diagnostic test that isn't going to force me to wean before we are ready! Considering that there is one available I am pretty cranky that no one will at least order it in! I shouldn't be having to go through this, I'm in enough pain without an added headache!
Last edited by Indadhanu; October 12th, 2010 at 03:24 PM.
Leash - call the path places in WA or Vic that offer the test and see if they will send a test kit to you and whether you can send it back.
C13 has to be analysed on very different machinery to C14 - so the Qld path places probably don't have the necessary equipment. But as far as I can tell the test is air-mailable and you may be able to post the bag back for analysis.
Leash have you tried to recruit your GP to do some of the footwork for you? And might the test be available through one of the pathology services associated with a public hospital in your area? (In SA we have IMVS which is ??owned??funded by the govt and they can provide a whole heap of tests that the others don't).
Leash- Prior to retiring ( ) I used to work in this area and do these tests. The C-14 is absolutely fine to have done while BF'ing. To begin with it is the most miniscule amount of radiation that is used, so small that the test has to be sent off to be read by an ultra sensitive machine.
Point two, you ingest the C-14, unlike most nuclear medicine tests where it is injected directly into the blood stream. Sure a tiny bit may be absorbed, but you would get a higher radiation dose traveling on a plane.
I would more than happily have the test while BF'ing.
I don't think C-13 is available in Aus.
If you want more reassurance you could ring the place and ask to speak to a nuclear medicine technologist. We were always fielding calls about this kind of thing.
MD, haven't been back to my doctor yet. I wasn't sure about the hospital, if I could find a number I'd call them.
Junglemum, so why do they say not to have it done while pregnant or breastfeeding? Not arguing, just wondering, if it is safe why is everyone I'm talking to saying I can't breastfeed afterwards?
Leasha, they probably say that because not enough research has been done to conclusively prove one way or the other if it does have any effects, so until that time, they cover their bums by saying that you can't. JIC you might be the 1 in a million person to have a problem. Maybe you can pump and dump for a day or so?
So whoever you spoke to, probably the receptionist has a standard spiel about nuclear medicine tests, can't bf, stay away from pregnant women, etc, ect. But the truth of the matter is it really does vary between tests. Some places adopt the same policy for all tests, just to save confusion. Receptionists have so much to do, it makes it more simple to have a standard line.
Pumping and dumping with c-14 is totally ridiculous. It has a half life of 5700 years and effective half life of 12 days. So after 12 days, half of the dose will still remain in your system, and then half of that again after another 12 days. So pumping and dumping for 24hrs would have absolutely no effect on anything. But like i said the amount of radiation is not detectable with standard radiation monitors as it is such a tiny, tiny dose. The other thing i didn't mention, is that it emmits Beta rays, as aposed to gamma or x-rays. These are generally low frequency rays that cannot penetrate further than a few mm and would not leave your body and effect another person.
To clear it up, you should ask to speak to the chief nuclear medicine technologist or radiation safety officer at a large hospital near you. Just phone up and ask to be put through to nuclear medicine, and then ask whoever answers who would be the best person to talk to. Or if you like, i can give you some numbers of appropriate people to talk to. (but it would be in Melb)
It really is a safe test to have. I didn't think you were arguing! You need to ask as many questions as you can until you are able to come to a decision you are comfortable with.
Ok, I'll ring one of the hospitals around me. I just feel a bit unsure because everything I found online says not while breastfeeding. Just a bit nervous about it. I know, it's so silly because we only feed onec a day anyway, but it's still concerning.
Absolutely. But if they tell you not to feed for 24hrs, you know they are full of crap.....
Another option would be to ask your referring dr, what the chances were of him just treating you for helico pylori. B. without confirmation using the breath test. I am not sure how viable that would be, but you could always ask.
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Considering that there is one available I am pretty cranky that no one will at least order it in! I shouldn't be having to go through this, I'm in enough pain without an added headache!
) I used to work in this area and do these tests. The C-14 is absolutely fine to have done while BF'ing. To begin with it is the most miniscule amount of radiation that is used, so small that the test has to be sent off to be read by an ultra sensitive machine.
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