Question about Colon, B.E. Diagnostic Radiology Exam

[cardine45]

I have an appointment tomorrow for what's checked off on the sheet as a "Colon, B.E." tomorrow. They're going to have me drink a Barium shake and I believe do a CT scan to watch it digest due to an intestinal stricture they found during my colonoscopy. Basically, it was so small that they couldn't get the scope in more than half-way.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had this done and what I should expect. I'm on a 24 hour fast with the usual laxatives stuff to empty me out later today, and clear fluids all day. (it's 11:30 and I'm already starving). Basic questions, should I have someone bring me because I might feel sick afterwards or would I be ok to go myself? Will I want to rest afterwards due to upset stomach or anything like that? Any other tips from anyone who has experienced this? My boyfriend had to do a barium swallow study somewhat similar to this before and he felt really really ill afterwards, but he doesn't think they're doing the same thing.

[ostrich]

I had to do a barium swallow before I had my gallbladder out (years ago). I'm not sure if it's the same thing, but....

I was so sick I couldn't even hold down most liquids. I should've gotten some sort of metal for keeping the barium down. To me it tasted like fruity milk....like the leftover milk in a bowl of Fruity Pebbles or something. I was at the children's hospital, so maybe they flavored it. Anyway, you basically back up against the X-ray machine and slowly swallow the stuff. While you're swallowing the tech moves the X-ray machine all around and takes pictures. Then you leave. I don't remember feeling sick afterwards (more so than normal).

As far as fasting goes I think I just did the typical "no foods/liquids past midnight" thing. I was able to eat afterwards. You might want to have somebody drive you there and back, just in case.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[celiacmaine-iac]

[cardine45]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully the barium doesn't make me feel as ill as the Fleet Phospho-soda did. I thought it said you had to take it with water, so I didn't have anything else at home, and then when I read the instructions again before I took it, it said to take it with sprite or ginger-ale to help with the taste. Ginger-lemon is definitely not my favorite flavor, and now I'm incredibly nauseous. There are probably more disgusting things to drink, but this has got to be at the top end of the things I never want to do again. I definitely think a gallon of gatorade with an entire bottle of miralax was a lot easier to handle. Plus, it filled me up for a little while so I wasn't starving the entire day like I think I will be today.
I called the doctor and they said I should be fine going there by myself, and the nurse wasn't sure, but she thought the procedure shouldn't be more than an hour. I think I might have my boyfriend take me just in case. I'm so hungry I don't feel well enough to drive right now, so I can't imagine being ok to drive more than 12 hours from now.

[cardine45]

[celiacmaine-iac]

[cardine45]

Don't feel bad to be the bearer of bad news. I guess I'd rather know now than find out when I get to the doctor.

I can't believe I didn't figure that out sooner. I didn't know what B.E. stood for, but the only thing that made sense to me was Barium Enema, but it never once dawned on me that that's what it meant. I found it odd that I'd be drinking an enema. Maybe I just didn't want to accept reality because it was too hard

[rpf1007]

Usually it is a double contrast barium enema. So the barium goes in first, and then air goes in second. Basically you need to dilate the colon to smooth out the surface so that you can see if there are polyps. How good the results are usually depends on how much the patient can tolerate- which is totally person dependent. Some people have no discomfort, others have some discomfort (gassy bloated feeling). Barium enemas are usually done these days if the colonoscopy was incomplete and the entire colon was not visualized. The big difference too is that you have to be able to participate- move side to side - so they don't knock you out with a sedative.

[celiacmaine-iac]

How are you feeling Cardine? Hope you made out ok. Probably not the most pleasant experience. I've been thinking about you all day.
_________________
Steph

[cardine45]

[celiacmaine-iac]

Glad it went ok. I hope they get the answers they need to get you on the path to good health.
_________________
Steph