MRE - side effects, benefits???

[Tesscorm]

My son is scheduled for an MRE in a couple of weeks. I recently read another post (and on other sites) describing side effects which include abdominal pains, diarrhea, etc.

My son is not having any problems now and the MRE was scheduled months ago to get a baseline for future reference. As ultrasounds initially showed inflammation in his small intestine and the scopes could not 'see' the inflammation in this area, the MRE was scheduled for this reason.

But, now I'm worried that the side effects could trigger problems or a flare.


Would really appreciate your comments as to how common are these side effects and if anyone has had side effects that have lasted more than just a few hours (i.e. triggering a flare).


Maybe this should be in a different thread but, would also love an explanation of how the results differ between and ultrasound, MRE and CT scan. How/Why is one better than the other?

Thanks!!

 

[Del]

Hi Tess..
I was just reading this thread a few minutes ago..http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=23793 and thought I would post it here..you may have already read it...
Take care..

 

[Tesscorm]

Thanks Del,

That was actually the post that got me thinking, worrying about it. Now I'm afraid that any possible risk of longer term side effects (i.e., other than a couple of hours of nausea/diarrhea) such as triggering a flare outweighs the benefit of having a baseline image of his inflammation (if any, at this point).:frown:

He just had an ultrasound a week ago (don't have results yet) so, given possible MRE risks, I'm wondering what benefits there are to having an MRE so soon afterwards.

Sooo frustrating to be so lost in all these issues!!! :confused2:

 

[Crohn's Mom]

Gab had the MRE done before her surgery, and I don't think she had one single side affect

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Tess,

Matt had a CT Enterogram and the only difference between that and regular CTE or MRE is the oral contrast component of it.

Matt had to drink about 1500mls of a sugary liquid that is designed to line/stick to the wall of the small bowel rather than be absorbed by it. I was told this type of contrast is better able to image the extent of inflammation present and it did prove to do that in Matt's case. Matt had his done the day after his colonoscopy as the GI did not want to push through the inflamed area that he saw during the scope. Matt had also had an ultrasound done a few days before and although it showed thickening I don't think they are capable of pinpointing issues as accurately as CT/MRI's are. I think each test has it's own pros and cons and a combination of imaging will probably give you and the doc a better idea of what is going on.

Matt was required to drink the contrast in the hour before the test, he was able to use the toilet and he was told if he started to get diarrhoea then to stop drinking it. He didn't get diarrhoea and he had no other side effects post test.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Tesscorm]

Thanks Tracy, Dusty!

I'm glad to hear that Gabby and Matt had no side effects! Was afraid of triggering something with the MRE but, at the same time, want him to have the MRE so that we can keep on top of anything.

Have been a bit worried about him lately, he's had 'some' constipation... not sure how severe as, you know how it is, have to be careful of too many questions! He's seemed to be a bit pale (but is very fair skinned so, sometimes hard to tell) and appetite seems to be just slightly off... :confused2: glad we've just had the ultrasound and have the MRE and GI appointment all coming up in the next few weeks!

Re the constipation - unfortunately, he likes very, very few fruits and veggies and, in any case, I'm never sure what will be too much fibre! I'm off to go buy him some prune juice and yoghurt but any suggestions as to what else might help with constipation???

Thanks!

 

[Crohn's Mom]

I forget how old he is...but does he like coffee by chance ?? That could help

 

[Tesscorm]

He's 17. Funny, I just read something today (probably here???) about coffee helping constipation. He's not really a coffee drinker but, I'll suggest he try to have some tomorrow morning (actually, I'll by some decaf so he can have some tonight!).

He asked for the penaten cream a couple of days ago, saying he hurt a bit (like a cut) when he had a (hard) bm. So am also worried about a fissure but, the next day he said it was okay??? Who knows??? :ybatty:

 

[ThanksP]

I had an MRE and beside diarrhea when I got home, it was no problem! And the diarrhea was just for an hour or so. I'd much prefer the MRE to the CT for the lack of radiation alone. Plus, they've never been able to see my Crohn's with a CT but were able to tell it had spread to my TI with the MRE.

I try to limit my radiation (so do my docs) since I've had so many throughout my 35 years already. I was told that one CT of the abdomen is equal to 500 chest XRays!!! I've had more CT's than I can count and will try never to have another one again.

 

[Tesscorm]

Thanks ThanksP for the info re CTs! Wow, knew all x-rays exposed you to radiation but didn't realize there was such a variance between different x-rays/scans!