CT enterography anecdote

[PsychoJane]

So I did not know where to put that post, I just thought that anyone with a stoma will understand better though lol... so this is a bit of information/venting/anecdote...

So... yesterday was my first CT enterography... I had traditional CT scan done in the past but CT enterography (prefered for fistulizing and abcessing crohn) was a premiere and what a premiere should I say!

In case you would never have heard of that exam yet (I'm assuming it is not the most prescribed one as the technicians I spoke with (2-3) when I was trying to find where my appointment sheet had been sent, well they were clueless about what I was asking and it seemed I was just crazy questioning them about the test...). Well the procedure consist in hyperhydrating your small bowel. I read stuff about nasoenteric intubation but it were not the case with me, they just told me, here, drink those 1,5 L of water(+contrast (it tasted sweet and not too bad) in the next 30 minutes. The only think they forgot to tell me was: "It is the worst laxative you will ever get so be ready" (Which I was not...)

Well I think the nurse tried to warn me by telling me: it might give you diarrhea a little bit. (...) No way, like, Come On...! A little bit??? it was like... fucking Niagara Falls down there... But hey, since no one knew on the test the day before, no one could tell me what to expect. Superbe.

So not long after I drank those wonderful 1,5 L of liquid... my bag was filling up at F1's speed... I went to empty it at first... total chaotic mess let me tell you... keep in mind I wear closed pouches but I still reuse and empty them by the top cause I just hate the one that attaches at the bottom... If you picture trying to empty a bag that got filled up too quickly of some sort of "water" cause that's pretty much what it was... I suppose you can picture what kind of mess it resulted in... I had some all over my pants... my leg warmer and it even filled up my boots(well maybe not that much)... Thankfully, I was wearing black pants but the cherry on the sundae was that it all happened it a "toilet room" where there was only the toilet, the sink was in the room outside... (cause this is well done like that. That room also consist in the waiting room for everyone else that goes for a scanner....)

Anyway, I just wanted to share a bit... it was quite embarrassing and let me tell you I told the staff to warn people properly about that. Had I known that I had to expect floods I would have been prepared and, I don't know,... maybe would have I worn rain boots lol?...

 

[Terriernut]

Oh FFS!!! Had you any warning, you could've worn a drainable bag! What were they thinking!

I've not had the specific test of which you are referring (thank you Gd)

But I had the upper barium with follow thru and filled my bag in less than 10 minutes (7.5 minutes to be exact) and they were like...noo way! I said I can sit here and argue...or I can explode...what is it gonna be???!!!! But I wear drainable...I have NO idea what I wouldve done with a closed bag. Well...exploded.

Sooo sorry, and they should be too!!!!!
:ghug:

 

[Miss Underestimated]

Ooh crazy! I bet you were happy to get home!

 

[ameslouise]

Ack! That's horrible! NOthing's worse than having a bag so full it spurts out everywhere when you try to empty - I can't imagine what you went thru with a closed bag!!

Hope the test turned out okay! - Amy

 

[Snap]

Sooo sorry. That is awful as heck. I would have been peeved---but I guess that would not have changed the spouting session from hell. What the heck were they thinking is right. When do you get the results? I had a plain CT scan when I had a colon. I drank half the contrast (I always go to the bathroom and dump half cause I am not drinking all that crap)---when I was lying on the table getting scanned I told them that they better HURRY because it was coming out! They asked if I was sure. Really---my butt can't get any tighter, people. AND out it came. Sigh. You poor thing, again, I am really sorry. Let us know about the results.......keeping my fingers crossed.:bigwave: Dana

 

[Kela80]

What are the benefits of closed bag vs drainable bag?

 

[Lisa]

Ugh...wish they had warned you!!!.....reminds me of when I was having my fistula diagnosed...went in for a scan with a barium enema....guess where it came out?????? YUK!

 

[PsychoJane]

I'll get the test result in about two weeks I believe, it's gonna be biopsy time so I guess that my doctor will inform me if there is anything serious at the same time (I'd be pretty upset if he were not to...)

They could have told me... I guess... but it seems like no one knows about that test but the GIs. The doc at the ER even misspelled it (not that this is a big deal but, I guess it must be rare enough to not be known...).

@Kela80

What are the benefits of closed bag vs drainable bag?

With time I got to prefer the closed bag. They are supposed to be thrown away every time you use one but no one ever said that taking it off(it is still a 2piece system) was impossible. So I empty it by the top, wash and reuse a few day. I prefer these to the drainable only because these irritate me on the legs (the part that attaches). I also find that the closed one are less noticeable (not that the drainable really are), so it came to be a matter of preference in my case.

 

[carolhew]

I just had a CT enterography this Friday and no one warned me either. I do not have a stoma so I made it home before I exploded. Thanks to your post I now know why!

 

[PsychoJane]

It would seriously be great if they were telling us... I mean, I do know before I go to a (___)scopy that I will have to purge myself and I cope with it pretty well. I don't really appreciate the element of surprise of not knowing about it though lol. They could give us that product to drink for scopes... it tastes better lol (I guess its not too good for the system).

 

[kitmus]

Enterography Prep

:kiss: I am with you on this one! Loved your description. They do have these looong(down to your knees) bags that if you put them on before the drinks, they would work as you hobble down to the Enterography room. Problem: they did not give me one before and when they brought it to me, it did not fit my flange. These techs do not have a clue about ostomates issues and in fact, even though I had outstanding care at Mayo recently, this is issue will be addressed. After all, they are #1 GI in the country and I have every confidence that this issue will be looked at. I would love to send your description of your experience and may paraphase on the "How did we do" pamphlet! Truly empathized with you. Thanks for the laugh:rof:

 

[annawato]

Oh Psycho Jane you really made me laugh! and commiserate. I had a similar situation - the hurry up and take the pictures or it will be too late followed by the overfull bag going everywhere - but again mine was a drainable so I cannot imagine how you coped at all.
In fact I remember once in hospital having to drink the contrast twice because they got held up with the patient before. Once is bad enough!
:heart: anna

 

[PsychoJane]

The things they forget to tell us. At times, I really don't understand why they don't know such things in hospital environment. Is it because the patient themselves are not comfortable in telling these type of things or is it from an incapacity of the non-ostomized to relate to it and therefore, assimilate that these things will for sure be different for us? Who knows! On thing is sure is that it brings funny (at the moment not so funny) situation.

 

[annawato]

I guess its because they don't have the situation occur very often that they have ostomates but I would think its something radiologists and nurses should be taught. I'm actually amazed at how little doctors and nurses know about ostomys. For instance my gp had to do a rectal examination the other day and was surprised by the mucus poo waiting to surprise her (much to my embarrassment). I doubt she even knew they happened. I've also had nurses ask/say totally ridiculous things. I'm mean surely they should be taught the basics.