New test for me, can you tell me what it is?

[Jobell]

Aside from my MRI scheduled at the end of the month, they just scheduled an upper GI scan??? for this Tuesday. I think that is what it is called. A tube up the nose and some sort of contrast inserted.... I did it once before when I was very sick and afterwards we did the resection surgery.
My question is: maybe these tests cause some of the problems? How many people suffer greater obstructions after drinking these things? If we have ongoing inflammation issues (and maybe crevices, or folds, or scar tissue etc.) then isn't it possible that these sticky, gross, non-food contrast substances might accumulate and cause an obstruction or aggravate an existing condition? Is it safe?

Should I refuse the test? I am not suffering any abnormal pain or symptoms beyond an occasional blockage which I walk off, and occasional abdominal pain which is maybe only a 2 or 3.... nothing at all compared to severe symptoms. Should I play with fire? or leave it alone... or maybe if i don't do the tests, I will be ignoring the disease when it is manageable and waiting until the issues are un-fixable? what is the right approach? I need to decide in 2 days!

 

[Miss Underestimated]

I'm not sure what this test is - I've had an x-ray where I drank some stuff, and I've had an upper endoscopy, where they put a camera with ultrasound down my throat.

At any rate, the materials they use for the tests are not going to hurt you. They pass right through you. A lot of the damage done by IPD may not cause difficult symptoms all the time - the problem is the inflammation. Your intestines gradually get thicker and more rubbery, and eventually, they get too inflamed and thick, and nothing can get through. This is a life-threatening situation.

Best thing to do is find a doctor you trust, who listens to you and answers your concerns, and you listen to him/her.

 

[PVail]

Hi Jobell
After my first colonoscopy i was really ill for about tree weeks and had terrible pain . I have always thought that i never came down completely from that . I dont know if its the air that is pumped in or the device that goes in , or the biopsies but all in all i think some scar tissue will occur. Also i think if you are really sick when you have one of these test done it does take its toll on you and do suffer.
I had a barium test done in a different hospital to test my kidneys where i had to drink what looked like a litre of orange substance. i had to keep it in and not go until the scan was dome.
After the test i passed water and i had terrible pain in my right side which was really intense for a hour or so . The staff in the hospital seemed unconcerned and i was sent home. Except one older nurse said " your sore there because there is something wrong " and that was that , the test was clear ?
I think however the test are a nescessary evil we have to endure to get answers.
Good luck with the tests.

 

[new2crohnsMH]

I'm not a doctor and I could be wrong but I think the test you are thinking of is "Enteroclysis." Here is a link to a bunch of information on it: http://www.radiographicceu.com/article18.html. Can't recall what my source was for this but I had favorited it when I was doing research for myself on a separate topic. Hopefully the article helps with some of the questions. Thank you.

 

[shamrock15]

The upper Gi shouldn't cause a problem. Won't say that it's fun though. I believe this was the second test when I was being diagnosed. It was the one that showed for certain where my first narrowing in the bowels was located and even I could see it on the screen. For me, it was seven years until I had my first surgery.

NG tubes though, for me, are now a different matter. For any reason, including post-op, I can't tolerate them for more than a day. For me, they actually do cause bleeding if they are left in.

 

[Jobell]

Thank you everyone. @new2crohnsMH you seem to have found the exact test. I read that link and that is what I recall; having to insert a tube in my nose and then cold barrium or contrast is injected through the tube... it was not very pleasant but I don't remember it being horrible. The only strange thing for me was that they said I would pass the barrium in 2 days and it took me 2 months! I was afraid that it was lining my intestines and being absorbed, or maybe calcifying or something... it was really weird. Probably a result of my serious stricture at the time. Anyway, I HATE tests. I fear the test, fear hearing the results, and worry about my kids and family responsibilities if they find serious disease.
But I guess I need to know.....
I am a bit concerned about the level of radiation, because I broke a bone badly in August, and had CT scan, and around 10 xrays in 3 months. I wonder what the safe level is?
I also had 2 sinus xrays in this time period.
Soon I am going to glow in the dark.

 

[Jobell]

The test was an upper GI barium enema which is also called Enteroclysis I believe, (Barium delivered by nasal tube direct to the small bowel, yuk, yuk, yuk.
It was ok, but the intubation sucked and they had a student MD do it, so that was no fun....
anyway, the good news is they didn't see any obvious obstruction, in fact the barium whipped through me so fast, that it took less than 40% of the time it was supposed to take. Makes me wonder if I am not absorbing nutrients either, if my digestive system moves things along too quick.
Anyway, thanks everyone for the info and advice.

 

[Crohn's 35]

I had that test to finally find my diagnosis in a Toronto hospital, it escapes me which one. I was fully awake.. some put you out, but this was 20 years or so ago for me. Yes, not pleasant and the first time the put it into my lungs and pulled it out and started all over again. . Keep us update and let us know how are you doing.

 

[Jobell]

Wow Pen, we seem to have a lot in common. You need to be awake for this test apparently, and they also got it in my lungs the first time, and had to pull it out. truly a horrible experience. I did not like the tube. i had a student doc (and i even asked if the experienced one could take over but they didn't switch. the poor student kept apologizing and apologizing).
At this point I am just so very happy that there is no apparent stricture!!! Yay!!!

 

[Crohn's 35]

Glad there is no apparent stricture, or narrowing, that is not a good sign. Yeah I remember they give you freezing for the throat and it was horrible and I spewed it right in the girls face....wasn't intentional.:whistleinnocently: