Advice or experience with MRE?

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Devynnsmom

Devynnsmom

Joined
Jan 11, 2012
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Devynn's nurse called this morning and told me they are scheduling her for an MRE. She said its like an MRI. I asked if they will give her something to calm her because she's very clausterphobic and she said she doesn't think so. She said it will take about an hour. Any advice or experience? I've had an MRI for migraines and they gave me something to calm me. I am clausterphobic as well. I think my MRI took less than 20 min. I can't imagine being in there an hour!!
 
It is basically like an MRI. You have to drink the barium contrast and they then start scanning. At the end they do an IV Glucagon push and take some more pictures.

The Glucagon is basically the opposite of insulin and it will raise her blood sugar very quickly... this can mean that nausea, increased body temp, and vomiting can occur. With me, the tech pushed the Glucagon WAY too fast and by the time they put me back in the machine I got hot and nauseous and had to push the emergency button to get out to throw up (I felt a lot better after throwing up though). Just gently ask them if they will take care to push the Glucagon slowly. The reason they give the Glucagon is to immobilize the bowels for a clear picture of them.

It does take a while, and at first I was super nervous, but the loud noises start to become monotonous and you start to relax and get comfy and sleepy. They tell you during the test when to hold your breath and stuff like that, so they are always talking to you. They also give a panic button and can pull you out of the machine with the push of a button.

Maybe they could give her an anti anxiety med or something? Its an easy test, just takes a while and drinking the barium sucks. I did have diarrhea afterwards... but then again I also have Crohn's so when is that not "normal"? :)
 
Thank you Katiesue :) I will def mention that to them. I will also ask again when they call me with the date, if they can give her something to calm her. I read that they give you an IV, did you get one? She is ok with needles and blood work now, but is still terrified of IV.
 
My son's experience was similar, he felt a bit nauseated after the MRE and had some diarrhea but both passed fairly quickly.

He's had two MREs at the same hospital as your daughter, I'll ask him if they had any distractions during the exam - just knowing the hospital, it would surprise me if they aren't set up to distract/calm the kids during the exam (ie, he once watched Air Bud while having an ultrasound! :lol:) But, there may be different restrictions with an MRE, ie, the 'TV monitor' may not be available, but I'll ask him tonight.

I had an MRI once and found the same as Katiesue - while the noises were loud, they were monotonous and did eventually make me sleepy too.
 
Thank you Tess. I have had MRI's as well, but have always been given something to relax me. They told Devynn she could watch a movie while she had her ultrasound the last time. She said no, she would rather watch the US screen! lol
 
I'm pretty sure there was an IV... I would've remembered them giving me a shot of Glucagon in needle form and I don't so I think it was an IV. They didn't use the IV for anything else though... I think just at the last part in the end for the Glucagon.
 
I think it will probably be a saline or hep lock IV which just means that it won't have a bag hanging it will just be the IV in her arm with a short length of tubing hanging off it that they should tape down. This may make it less scary.

Is she getting it done at a children's hospital? If not you might look into whether it could be done at a children's hospital as they are usually much better at dealing with children's issues than regular radiology places. For example they often have a half dozen flavors of drink and may have child life specialists to help with IV placement and such.

Do call the radiology place and ask about how they handle things with kids and ask about mild sedation for the procedure. It does take an hour to hour and a half once they start. She has to drink the liquid and then wait 30 minutes or longer before they start the MRE.

Good luck.
 
Second the children's hospital.
Our mre room is painted like outer space.
The kids get goggles with a head set to watch a movie so they can't see they are inside the machine.
They also have a papous blanket to Velcro them so not extra movements.
Good luck
 
Amy is going for MRI on Friday early morning, and was wondering if recovery is usually fairly quick and if she will be able to go back to School in the afternoon. She will not be sedated.
 
Matt has had a CTE, not MRE, so the actual procedure for him was very fast.

There will be fasting required and the need to consume a large amount of oral contrast in the hour before the procedure. I would imagine the amount will depend on her age.

They will put a cannula in, so the same needle as an IV but not initially attached to anything. They will take a series of films with no IV contrast and then they will go in and attached the cannula to a small machine, a syringe pump...

hy-500ii-syringe-pump-ad-f4f02.jpg


...and then take another series of films.

I too would ring and discuss the procedure with the radiology staff as well as your daughter's claustrophobia.

@poppets mum - I couldn't see a reason for her not to be able to attend school following an MRI. :)

Dusty. xxx
 
Thank you Patricia. Yes, she will be going to a childrens hospital. They are great there. I will def ask them about something to relax her a bit.
 
Actually there is no requirement for fasting as a general rule. Some places do ask patients not to eat within 4 hours of the procedure but that seems just to be for practical reasons - you have to drink all this stuff so they don't want you full of food.

Patricia
 
Stephen says no TV or any distractions that he remembers with the MRE... :(

But, remember, he's older... they may have skipped some of the available distractions for someone his age. I would do as suggested above, try to call and get their advice...

Good luck! :ghug:
 
We have a MRI, booked for Wednesday. It requires a 6 hours fast and no water for 3 hours before hand, except for the smallest amount possible to take medication.
 
Not sure about MRE's but when my daughter had an MRI they had headphones which played either music or a story. Maybe you could ask for something for her to listen to so it can take her mind off being stuck in the tube.
 
Thank you Sascot, thats a good idea. I think she might have to be able to hear them though.. I will def ask.
 
I've had both the MRE and CT enterography within the past six months. The MRE was much worse, though only due to the Glucagon. Like others, I got extremely sick and vomited from it while in the machine. The ct was much shorter(as are all ct scans compared to mri's). I had to drink the barium solution both times before which I can't stomach. I find prepping for colonoscopies easier then drinking that stuff.

I normally feel out of it for the day after either scan, and just like to nap of the day.
 
Devynnsmom
My daughter had an MRE a few months ago and i was also worried about her panicking. I was told the test would take 1 and 30 mins but it only took 30 mins and she was fine......after the test she had diarrhea but otherwise she was good...try not to worry ...:hug:
 
My son (12) had an MRE in September. He actually liked the contrast he had to drink, said it tasted like sugar water. He was at a children's hospital and before they put in the IV they used something called a "J pop" or something similarly named. Was basically a shot of compressed air where the needle was going in. He didn't even feel the needle. He got a bit claustrophobic about 30 minutes into the procedure and the noise was getting to him as well. Started crying and they let him out to calm down before continuing. He got a pretty good stomach cramp when the glaucogen was put through the IV. I was allowed in the room with him which I think helped a bit. He was able to watch a movie too, but couldn't really see (had to take his glasses off) or hear because the machine is extremely loud.
 
My daughter had her 2nd MRE this morning...it went terrible! She has always had difficulty drinking all of the required contrast, but this time, she was able to get 1 and 1/4 down and than started to gag. She refused to drink anymore, although the tech was insisting she finish all 3 bottles. Well, off she ran to the restroom and proceeded to vomit the entire amount that she forced down! We were ready to leave, but the radiologist wanted to proceed with the study; though I'm not sure how diagnostic it will be without the contrast.
While Liv was choking down the drink, she revealed to me that she would rather have nine needles, an IV and an NG tube, rather than ingest that contrast! Poor kid, I felt so bad for her. On the other hand, my son had an MRE over the summer and was happy to guzzle 2 containers within 10 minutes and said it didn't taste so bad! Good Luck! Kim
 
We brought Kool aid singles and split one packet between the three drinks.
This made the barium easier to swallow
 
My son also said it didn't taste that bad!

However, something to keep in mind for anyone who's used an NG tube... you can ingest the contrast through the tube... my son took his tube, pump, etc. with him just in case he couldn't drink the contrast... (I'm not sure if it would lessen the 'nausea' once it's in your stomach but, at least, you won't taste it.)
 
Alottolearn, thank you. I bet your son was glad when it was over. Poor guy! How did he feel afterwards?
 
Oh no, your poor daughter :( I hope things go well with my daughter, but I worry she will refuse if it tastes too bad. *fingers crossed*
 
Thanks Devynnsmom,

I don't think I'd get him to do a second one as easy. He threw up when it was over, but then he was ready to go get something to eat. Tonite we're having other issues. He's been on prednisone for two weeks (40mg). Bone and joint pain were almost immediate. Doctors office always says those are symptoms of Crohn's. Bull****. He had bleeding for 6 months before he was diagnosed. That was his only symptom. Two weeks on prednisone has been worse than the last six months. Tonite 30 minutes after he went to bed he came down to ask if the medicine caused mental problems. He was hallucinating every time he closed his eyes. Headache, has been lightheaded at school to the point where he almost fainted two days ago. Called the GI's office after that and they say just stay hydrated. They prescribe this crap and I really don't think they have any idea what it does other than reduces inflammation!! Sorry for the rant, just really frustrated tonite.
 
Thank you upsetmom. I'm glad your daughter had an easy time. I hope mine does too. These kids surprise us every day! I sometimes think its harder on us, because we worry so much about them and they just take it all in stride.
 
Alottolearn, I'm so sorry your son is going through this. Don't appologize for venting, I totally understand and thats what we are all here for :) to support each other and to be able to vent to someone. Its so incredibly frustrating to watch our children suffer and not be able to really help them. Devynn has a LOT of joint pain from her Crohn's. She has joint pain in her hips, knees and ankles. She never has swelling, just the pain. It was so bad, that I went and bought her a wheelchair. We had borrowed one for a while, and as soon as I picked one up (childs chair at a garage sale, like new) things seemed to calm down to the point where she doesn't need it.
My Dad was on prednisone for Emphesema and COPD and he hated it. I know it made him irritable (he was THE nicest man you could ever meet), hungry all the time and I know if he was tired or over tired, he would halucinate. He had a lot of headaches too. We were never sure if it was the prednisone, or the mixture of other meds. I hope your son is feeling better real soon. There is nothing worse than watching our kids feeling awful and not being able to help.
 
Amy just had her MRI yesterday. It was sooo easy. She had her choice of Apple juice or water for the drink. She chose juice and she did have quite a bit to drink but they also weighed her and told her she didn't have to finish it all. She was given Buscopan through injection and even before they did that was offered some kind of numbing cream at injection site which she didn't bother with. She also had a cannula that she said they put about 5 things in. I sat just outside the room while she went in and lay on her stomach breathing in and out when told to. 20 minutes later she came out saying she felt a bit dizzy. She lay on the bed for about 15 mins while nurse checked her heart rate and blood pressure. Then we were on our way. I would say from start to finish the whole thing took under 2 hours. There was no vomiting, no urgency for the toilet, her head didn't even go inside the machine and she was back at School that afternoon.
 
Thank you poppets mum :) Did Amy have MRI or MRE? Devynn is having an MRE. Thats great that she felt well enough to go back to school!! I'm pretty sure Devynn would soak it even if she felt ok lol Anything for a day off! lol
 
Hi Devynsmom,

My son had an MRE (he was 12) while he was admitted to Sick Kids. If you ask they will let you go in the room and sit in a chair beside the machine (its very cold bring a sweater). Even though he couldn't see me, my son felt better having me there. Once in, they do a good job of communicating and reassuring the kids while the procedure is going on.

Will did have to fast (I forget how long because he was in hospital and on and off NPO orders for about a week). They did administer orally some contrast drink with a choice of flavors (I think it was Crystal Light). He did have a hard time drinking it mainly due to the severe inflamation he had throughout his entire GI tract at the time. The staff put quite a bit of pressure on him to finish, but he could not. In the end, we waited an extra 90 minutes before having the MRE in hopes that there would be enough contrast to get the desired images - it worked.

My son already had an IV in place at the time and they did do a push at the end of the procedure. If Devynn is afraid of IVs ask for numbing cream before they insert the IV (adds about 30 mins but well worth it) - they will do it there if you ask, but do not ever offer it. If that fails, you can always buy your own ($$$) Emla is available over the counter (I keep it in my purse) - works well.

I hope all goes smoothly.
 
Thank you Willsmom. Devynn will be at Sick Kids too. I will def ask if I can go in with her, thank you for reminding me to bring a sweater! I usually forget and kick myself for it. She really doesn't like IVs... but likes Emla and other numbing agents even less. I will ask her if she wants it though.
 

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