floating poo--is that accurate?

[anonymous]

Sorry to be a bother tonight everyone. I am completely freaked out about a possible cf diagnosis and trying to learn as much as I can asap. How reliable is the floating poo test? Is it a complete myth?

My daugher's does not float nor does she have salty skin on her neck or arm or leg (she hasn't had a bath in the last day either).

I know the sweat test is the most definitive way to find out, which is on Wednesday. But in the mean time I am trying to get a feel as to how we are going to turn out.

Thanx much.

 

[Mockingbird]

It is true most CFers have floating poo, especially if we.... um I forget what it's called, but we can't produce enzymes, so we have to take them orally... anyway, floating poo is common, and without pills, the poo is usually diarrea-like, too. I'm sure there could be other causes, though. The salty skin is the most reliable indicator, I think. That's kind of what first became the trademark of CF.

Jarod

 

[anonymous]

The CF sweat test, is for the most part accurate. But as with any tests, there are false negatives and false positives. If the sweat test is inconclusive, our you are not satisified with the results, there is always a blood test that can be ordered. There has been mention on this site that a company called ambry genetics currently has a test that tests over 1000 mutations, whereas the one your doctor orders at a "regular" lab might cover the first 25-50 (maybe 50-100) most common mutations.

Good luck and it you have anymore questions, were here

Julie (wife to Mark 24 w/CF)

 

[anonymous]

Does that mean poo isn't meant to float? Because that is news to me!!! Do other medical problems cause that as well?

 

[anonymous]

If your poop floats, it usually indicates some sort of deficiency. Sometimes it can be related to "fat" issues, or vitamin deficiency and can be related to other conditions as well but is most commonly associated with CF.

Julie