Small Bowel Meal

[Scarabia]

I've already been diagnosed with Crohn's, but I've been booked in for small bowel meal. I have to take some prep (CitraFleet) the night before, then on the day I must swallow some barium, then my small bowel is x-rayed.

Anyone had this done before that can share their experience?

 

[Daisy123]

I have had a small bowel follow through which I think this is. You drink barium, and then they take X-rays at intervals as the barium flows through the bowel. Take something to read as it can take a while.

 

[valleysangel92]

I had one of these as a teenager, I didn't have to do any prep, just not eat for something like 6-8 hours before. That might of been because I was young though (15).

The barium doesn't taste too bad in my experience, they can add some cordial to it if you need them to but I didn't find it that bad, it's just a little chalky in texture.

The test itself is pretty easy, they just take lots of xrays at different times to track the barium through your system. They might press on your stomach a few times which can be a little uncomfortable, but it doesn't last long.

Take a good book with you or ask someone to tag along so you have someone to chat to as it takes a few hours.

 

[Scarabia]

Sounds like the worst part of this will be the prep, although it's a good detox. Don't like the idea of it taking a long time, I'm quite impatient haha. But looking forward to having 'white poo'.

 

[Daisy123]

You might also want to take a change of clothes as barium is a laxative. I ended up with shoes of white poo once! Or don't leave the hospital for a cup of tea as I once did while waiting for the barium to take its way through my digestive system.

 

[Scarabia]

Hahaha sorry for laughing at that image! The prep might still be active, if so I'll be in close proximity of a toilet, but thanks for the heads up and for sharing your experiences. It's happening on the 17th.