Read this information as soon as your doctor has recommended a video capsule endoscopy. It covers what you need to know beforehand. It includes essential information about the procedure and how to prepare for it. You may need to start preparing 7 days beforehand.
If you read this information and decide you do not wish to go ahead, or want to consider alternatives, discuss this with your GP or hospital doctor. Do this as soon as possible before your appointment.Â
About a video capsule endoscopy
A video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is an accurate way of looking at the small bowel.
More about the capsule
For this procedure, you will swallow a capsule. The capsule is about the size of a large jelly bean. This has a tiny camera which sends thousands of images from inside your bowel. You wear a device on a belt to record these images.
Risks
It is common (more than 5 in 100 people) that parts of the small bowel do not get seen in the video results. This means some areas may be missed. If this happens, we may recommend repeating the video capsule.
It is less common (fewer than 5 in 100 people) to feel sick and have mild stomach ache while the capsule passes through the bowel.
In rare cases, the capsule is not passed out of the bowel. There are reports of the capsule being retained for up to 3 years without causing harm.
In fewer than 1 in 100 people, the capsule can become stuck and obstruct the bowel. If this does happen, the capsule usually passes naturally without needing to be removed. The 'Complications' section (below) explains the symptoms of bowel obstruction and what to do.
In very rare cases (fewer than 1 in 1000), when the capsule is swallowed, it passes into the airways of the lungs, rather than down into the stomach. This may cause discomfort, coughing, shortness of breath, inflammation or infection. If it is not coughed up, a bronchoscopy (a tube with a camera) is passed down the airways to remove the capsule. There is also the risk of allergy to the capsule.
Preparing for the video capsule
Contact the Endoscopy department as soon as possible:
- if you have a pacemaker. You will need to ask your cardiologist if it is safe for you to have the video capsule test.
If you have diabetes, contact your diabetes nurse beforehand. They will give you advice about how to manage your diabetes medicines around the time of the test.
Follow these instructions
Some medicines must be stopped before the test. It is also very important for your bowel to be clear. So follow the instructions below.
You will be told when to restart these medicines before you go home.
Continue to take your other medicines as usual, unless the doctor or nurse tells you otherwise.
|
|
Stop iron medicines 7 days before
|
|
|
Stop certain medicines 5 days before If you are taking any of these, you must stop them 5 days before your appointment:
|
|
|
2 days before
|
|
|
1 day before
|
|
|
From 12:00 midday, the day before the test
|
|
|
From 10 pm, the day before the test
|
|
Day of test
|
Contact
Contact us on the nurse helpline if you have any questions
| Low-fibre food you can eat for breakfast the day before |
Foods to avoid |
|---|---|
| Cereals | |
 |
 |
| Dairy | |
|
milk, cream
|
|
| Protein | |
|
|
|
| Fruit and vegetables | |
|
|
|
| Bread and starchy food | |
|
|
|
| Preserves | |
|
|
| Clear fluids |
|---|
|
|
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you may need to adjust your treatment whilst preparing for this procedure.
- Discuss this with your diabetes nurse at least 3 days before your test.
Having the test
On the day
Come to the hospital wearing loose clothes, and separate top and bottoms.
Before the test, a nurse will talk to you about what will happen. You will be able to ask any questions.
We will give you a belt to wear around your waist. This will then be connected to a small recording box which is carried in a small over-the-shoulder bag.
We will then ask you to swallow the capsule. You will be able to take a little water with it. We will also give you a simple liquid medicine (Infacol) to break down air bubbles
Before you go home, a nurse will give you instructions about what to do next. This will include looking into the toilet to see if you pass the capsule in your poo.
Follow these instructions about when you can start to drink and eat afterwards.
| Day you swallow the capsule | |
|---|---|
| First 4 hours after swallowing the capsule | Drink only water |
| Try to drink water every 30 minutes for the rest of the day and evening. The next morning, continue to drink plenty to help the capsule move through the bowels. Continue this until you return to the hospital the next day. | |
| 4 hours after swallowing the capsule | Have a light meal, such as a sandwich, soup or omelette |
| Evening | We will tell you when you can start eating. This will depend on what time your test started. |
After swallowing the capsule, you can continue most usual activities. This includes driving and work unless the rules below apply to you. You can use a computer, radio, mobile phone and all other appliances at home.
You should return the recording device to the Endoscopy Unit the next day between 9 am and midday. We will then explain what to do next. You will also be able to ask questions.
Until you return the recorder:
- do not remove the belt or disconnect the cable
- do not exercise, lift anything heavy or do any hard physical activity
- do not have a shower or bath.
For 7 days after swallowing the capsule:
- do not go near MRI machines, X-ray machines or radio transmitters.
The capsule usually passes out in your poo within a few days. You should look into the toilet to see if you pass it. If you do see it, you can flush it away.
There have been reports of the capsule staying in the bowel for up to 3 years without it causing any harm.
Complications
Until the capsule has passed through into your poo, you must not go near powerful magnets, such as an MRI scanner.
Get help immediately
Complications of a capsule endoscopy are rare. However, you should go to your nearest Emergency Department (A&E) or GP:
- if you have any nausea or vomiting
- if you have severe pain or swelling in your abdomen
- if you have severe chest pain.
Afterwards
We will send the test results to the doctor who referred you.
We will also send you a follow-up appointment to discuss your results.
Contact us
Endoscopy nurses helpline:
020 8934 6614 (2pm to 4pm only)
To reschedule or cancel appointments
Endoscopy Bookings: 020 8934 2099 option 2 (9am to 5pm) or email khn-tr.
Your appointment is valuable. If you need to change your appointment, give us as much notice as possible. This allows us to offer the appointment to another patient.
Please note, the booking team cannot answer questions relating to the procedure.