MRE tomorrow -- is the contrast-induced stomach trouble painful?

[BureaucraticNightmare]

I've had a crazy thorough workup and still no sign of anything but IBS, but since I keep seeing dark blood (and tested it with an occult blood kit, positive for blood every time), I'm getting yet another test tomorrow. This one's an MRI-enterography.

I'm really nervous about the pain factor. I've heard the contrast can cause some pretty nasty D. I'm fine with that -after having diarrhea something like 60 of the past 90 days, it won't be anything unusual. But for anyone who's had this stuff, is the ensuing stomach trouble painful?

I'm usually good with pain and have the tattoos and piercings to prove it, but I'm just so exhausted I don't know if I can take an in-public episode of crampy awfulness.

Basically, I'm just hoping for some perspective and reassurance. I've been in more pain than usual the past few days when I get D -- last night it was so bad, I couldn't help but cry out I vomited three times and didn't stop aching for a full three hours after there was nothing left to come out either end :-/.

 

[Daisy123]

I had a CT scan with contrast, besides explosive diarrhoea a couple of hours later, no side effects and no pain

 

[valleysangel92]

I don't remember having any pain from the MRI contrast, I got a bit bloated and gassy, but if you get up and walk around then that will help. I find rubbing the middle of my stomach in a circular motion helps when I'm gassy too.

Try not to worry, I know that's easier said than done but stress really won't help your symptoms.

Remember that no matter how much you are dreading it, it's just one day. Have faith in yourself, you can and will get through this and we're all here for you!

 

[Clash]

My son has had an MRE with contrast and he did not experience any issue that I remember afterward.

He had to drink a barium type shake in a certain amount of time. This was the hardest part and he opted for an ng tube to get it down. He had had a barium type shake before for a SBFT(I think) and an MRI with contrast he had to drink that he didn't think was as bad.

He also had an IV contrast with the MRE and then about 45 minutes in he was given glucagon which made him really nauseated(doc warned us about this and said it was common) for a few minutes.

I think he did have a few loose bms afterward but I don't think he had cramping. His CD is located at his ileocecal valve and further up his terminal ileum.

 

[DustyKat]

Matt had a CT enterography. He had to drink a large volume of oral contrast, about 2 litres, in the hour before the test but was told if he developed diarrhoea whilst drinking it he was to stop.

As it was diarrhoea was not was a Crohn’s symptom for him and he did not suffer diarrhoea whilst doing the prep or after. He didn’t appear to have any abdominal cramping either. He only stayed near the toilet as he needed to piddle so much.

Good luck with the test!

Dusty. xxx

 

[BureaucraticNightmare]

Thanks everyone -- I'm feeling much less apprehensive now! Yesterday was pretty traumatizing.

I just hope someone finally finds something definitive. Maybe I'm a hypochondriac, but the stuff I go through seems awfully extreme for IBS :-/.