Small Bowel series: What's experience like for Crohn's patients?

[kdlalib]

I had the small bowel series last Friday because I'm still being tested for Crohn's, since they didn't find anything on the colonoscopy. I've heard mixed things about what the experience is like for being who do have Crohn's. Some people on the internet say that the amount of time it takes for the barium to move through the body can be indicative of Crohn's. Is this true? Does a faster or shorter time indicate Crohn's? It took about 1 hour-1hr and 15 min for the barium to move through me.

The docs also told me that the barium might constipate me and to drink a lot of water. Well, I've never been constipated in my life, sometimes I wish I were. It took about 20 min. after the test for me to have a BM coated white from the barium. I continued to have BMs throughout the day, and then had a massive diarrhea attack the following day. I also had incredibly bad pains in my lower abdomen the day of the test, and the day after. Does this mean anything? Could this be indicative or not of Crohn's?

I'm sorry for all the questions. I have to wait for Thurs. to find out my results, so I'm more than a little anxious to say the least.

 

[Crohn's 35]

I have had many SBFT and never get constipated, but it needs to be flushed out the sooner the better. My tests are quick because I have had two resections. If you have narrowing or fistulas, or strictures, it can take a bit longer. Some people get cramping afterwards. Could be an indication but I am not a doctor nor an xray tech. I know waiting is tough but really until they come in, they may or may not show anything.

 

[Grumbletum]

It's hard to be patient, isn't it? Took me a month to get my results! I've just been diagnosed after a Barium FT. I knew I had narrowing from an ultrasound I'd had before that. They did say the Barium was moving quite slowly and got me to drink a bit of water to speed it along a bit. I think the Barium test is good for showing the patterns in the gut that are typical of Crohn's i.e. cobblestoning. I don't know about the bowel movement so soon after - all this is pretty new to me.
I hope that you get your results on Thursday and let us know how you are doing.