Genova Stool Analysis

[Guest guest]

Has anyone ordered this test through an on-line website (ie chrohn's.net)? My

son's pediatrician was not familiar with the test and not very open to ordering

it.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

,

My son has had the Genova stool analysis (CDSA 2.0) done several times

and we have found it to be very helpful.

Our holistic doctor actually suggested it and when we gave a copy of the

report to our GI doctor, he was very impressed. He commented " we don't

do this kind of testing, but I'm glad your other doctor does " and all I

could think was " well, you ought to!!! "

We did the add-on test for C-diff and that was how we found out that my

son had either ongoing or recurring C-diff infection. That had been his

original diagnosis when he first presented with bloody diarrhea prior to

the whole IBD diagnosis, but local lab tests were saying negative after

that. We found that Genova is most reliable version of C-diff testing

we've used (same stool sample submitted to Genova and local lab will

have different results - local lab with false negative) and have been

using just that part of the CDSA to monitor him as he does a very slow

taper off Vancomycin (the treatment for C-diff).

Also, the first CDSA found my son had some pathogenic bacteria. The

really good thing about Genova is that they test to find out what the

bacteria are sensitive too - both natural agents and meds. In my son's

case all 3 bad bacteria were sensitive to Cipro and it was the first

thing that brought him big time improvement in the 18mos since the IBD

diagnosis, including Remicade. I know many people will caution about

Cipro, but in our case, it was very effective. The GI doctor didn't want

him on it long term though because it kills off good bacteria along with

bad and can allow C-diff to establish. When my son had to stop the

Cipro, symptoms came back. Once the GI doctor let him take Cipro for a

2-week course to get my son through a class trip to France and it worked

will again, he became a firm believer that my son's issues are very

bacterial related. He then put Mark on sulfasalazine, which you can read

that Elaine recommended over the newer ASAs, and my son has been doing

very well on that. The doctor said the sulfa component has antibacterial

properties without being a broad sprectrum antibiotic. So long way of

saying I credit the CDSA for helping us figure out a big part of my

son's situation.

Hope this helps.

Sally

[Guest guest]

,

Forgot to mention - I would recommend trying to order the test through a

doctor that is familiar with or at least receptive to Genova. Although

the report they give you is quite thorough, it certainly helps to have

someone that understands the various components in more detail and is

willing to followup with the findings. I believe Genova will give you a

list of registered participating providers - forget if you have to call

them or if it's right on their website.http://www.genovadiagnostics.com/

Also, they have become much slower in turning the results around the

past 6-9 months. When we started using them in June 2008, it was about 2

weeks to get the report. Now it's closer to a month, which I don't like

because how do you know things haven't changed since that original

sample was taken? When I questioned them on why it was taking so long,

they just said they are very very busy.

So be forewarned on that. Your doctor can call and check status and get

a preliminary report faxed, which can be a week sooner than waiting for

the formal report (but the formal report is easier to read, so catch 22.)

Sally

[Guest guest]

> My son has had the Genova stool analysis (CDSA 2.0) done several times

> and we have found it to be very helpful.

My son has a test kit that he hasn't done yet - this is good to know!

>We did the add-on test for C-diff and that was how we found out that my

> son had either ongoing or recurring C-diff infection. That had been his

original diagnosis when he first presented with bloody diarrhea prior to the

whole IBD diagnosis,

How do you get the add-on test? Does our naturopath have to add it to the

paperwork? Can C-diff be mistaken for UC?

Thanks!

Liz

[Guest guest]

,

Yes, the Cdiff test is one of the line items on the form the doctor

signs. The doctor has to put diagnosis codes, etc. on the tests he wants

done and Cdiff is one that is considered an " add-on " . It used to cost

more, but I believe it is included now. The doctor should know all of

this or could call Genova.

When we got the positive C-diff result from Genova after a year of

trying various IBD meds to no avail, we had hopes that the whole mess

was a lingering C-diff infection that the local labs didn't catch. And

apparently Cdiff can cause a " type " of colitis - pseudomembranous

colitis -

http://rn.modernmedicine.com/rnweb/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=114135

The symptoms certainly overlap if your issues involve diarrhea.

But our doctor insists my son had both IBD and a C-diff infection. He

says he would recognize the Cdiff type of colitis when doing the

colonoscopy. So we treat both and pray!

Good luck.

Sally