Anyone had to do a poop test (Bam?)

[Mrs.Beagle]

I saw a GI doc for my wonderful GI symptoms. He wants me to have a poop test done.

I don't have any specifics other than I go pick up a container at Quest and then return it to them.

Anyone ever done this before? I already angst over pee tests (how much is too much? I don't want to overflow, but I know they need a certain amount) and this just takes it to another level.

Plus, HOW DO I GET THE POOP? Do I put the container in the toilet? There's no fucking way I'm touching it. No. Can I just run over to quest when I have to drop a deuce and leave it there?

And if I need to do this at home, I don't have a cottage cheese container. Will an empty sour cream container do or is it too deep?

[flamingeaux]

DH had to do one for his job.
they gave him this paper to put in the toilet (it takes a little time to dissolve, but it does)
He did is business and then had to stab it with a couple of little sticks to get samples and put them in a container, or bag I forget which.

[Chib]

They're suppose to give you a paper or plastic sheet that you lay on the toilet to catch your poop. If they didn't you can use I suppose some saran wrap.

[Deleted]

Since this is already a TMI post, I will tell you my experience. I went to the ER several months ago because I had had diarrhea for 6 days and was nauseous. They put a "catcher" on the toilet and you go in that. From there, I don't know how they deal with it but that's how they get it from you.

[Mrs.Beagle]

Guys, I do not spend that much time with my poop.

I usually flush while I'm going. I don't like it stick around.

I'm all squicky. I know, everybody poops. But that doesn't mean I want to play with it.

[starrynight5782]

My primary care doc wanted me to do the same thing, they gave me a container (they were little), and it had a scoop thing that was attached, they told me it would be easier to get a plastic bowl and scoop it in when I was done. I also wore gloves, it was not my finest hour, and my DH spent more time laughing then I would have liked..lol


Good Luck, I hope you feel better

[peachykate]

My GI doctor told me to make a cone with tin foil and put it in the toilet to catch it. I then I had to transfer it into the three containers that they gave me.

It was lovely but didn't take too long.

I had to do this earlier this year because I basically stressed myself out to the point that I made myself sick. Pooping 5-7 times a day and then all the fun that comes from all of that. He actually said to me "no wonder you are bleeding, normal women don't poop that many times a day." Nice.

Do they still think you have an ulcer?

[papie]

My doctor gave me the kind where you swipe some poo on a cardboard and put it in an envelope. I never did it. I went back and he gave me a referral for a colonoscopy instead. Which I am still on the waiting list for, but I'd rather do that than play with my poop.

[Mrs.Beagle]

peachy, the GI doc didn't say definitely ulcer, but definitely some reflux and some irritable bowel symptoms.

God help me if I managed to give myself IBS from stress. Is that even possible?

I have to get the poop schmear, then an upper endoscopy. Then we'll go from there.

Sigh.

I just want to eat and poop like I used too. I had an awesome digestive track. Why did it have to turn on me?

[anlo]

I had to collect three samples. It sucked.

The good news is they will explain everything and give you all of the supplies you need to catch, scoop, etc. The bad news is, obviously, you have to catch and scoop your poop.

[mamasaurus]

They will give you a scoop for the poop but not a collection container. Get ready to shit in plastic.

Make sure you read and follow all the directions! They will be very specific about quantity, freshness, shake vs don't shake, and other things. Don't get all cocky and I GOT THIS! unless you want to have to do it over and shit into plastic twice.

Oh, and yes, IBS flareups are triggered by stress for many people.

[mrssavy42112]

Jan 11, 2013 12:52:21 GMT -5 flamingeaux said:

DH had to do one for his job.
they gave him this paper to put in the toilet (it takes a little time to dissolve, but it does)
He did is business and then had to stab it with a couple of little sticks to get samples and put them in a container, or bag I forget which.

Yep, this is what DH did.

[Mrs.Beagle]

Jan 11, 2013 12:59:05 GMT -5 papie said:

My doctor gave me the kind where you swipe some poo on a cardboard and put it in an envelope. I never did it. I went back and he gave me a referral for a colonoscopy instead. Which I am still on the waiting list for, but I'd rather do that than play with my poop.

That's the next step if I don't get good results

[FastHands]

I hear you. I was SO grossed out and refused to do it. But after like 3 weeks of diarrhea I gave in. I had a plastic catcher that went under the seat, and then I had a little scoop attached to the lid of a specimen cup. So I scooped a piece and the closed it into the cup, which already had some preserving liquid in it. It was gross... but otherwise I might still have salmonella. lol

[emjacobs]

Easiest way I have done this (I grew up with pooper problems) take saran wrap and cover the bowl leaving it a little saggy in the middle, do your do (or doo if you rather), and then using a clean spoon or something (wipe it with alcohol[rubbing not vodka]) and into your container. Then you can turn the saran wrap over to drop the rest and throw the saran wrap away.

[peachykate]

Jan 11, 2013 12:59:35 GMT -5 Mrs.Beagle said:

peachy, the GI doc didn't say definitely ulcer, but definitely some reflux and some irritable bowel symptoms.

God help me if I managed to give myself IBS from stress. Is that even possible?

I have to get the poop schmear, then an upper endoscopy. Then we'll go from there.

Sigh.

I just want to eat and poop like I used too. I had an awesome digestive track. Why did it have to turn on me?

This is essentially what I did over the summer. I always had IBS-ish symptoms when I used to get my period but never all of the time. The GI ended up saying I had a "touch" of a nervous stomach which is what they used to call IBS. In addition to the poop test he also did a scope in the office where he said um, your rectum is really irritated and the poop on the cardboard test to check for blood. There was none. Once I calmed my ass down I was still going 4 times a day and they weren't normal bms.

I also have acid reflux. I recently decided that I was done with this shit(ha) and that coincided with another UTI. I started taking probiotics so I wouldn't get a yeast infection which btw didn't work but I did realize that my stomach slowly started getting better. It's been about three weeks but all of the sudden I have virtually no bowel symptoms and I started cutting out things to see if I can get rid of the acid reflux also.

[Mrs.Beagle]

It sounds like I'm having a similar experience to you. Nexium has done wonders for my acid reflux. I take it at night so I don't forget.

[annyong]

Where's Bam when you need her?

[PinkSquirrel]

No, but I did have a Dr dig shit out of my ass once to do some poop test he wanted. Asshole.

[thebamker]

Haha. You are SUPPOSED to get a kit and they SHOULD explain it like you're two. I didn't get either of these things. Good luck! Less is more.