Has anyone had a barium enema?

[xrayu2]

I of all people should not be so concerned about these tests.  I have had an IVP, no big deal.  But when I first had to participate in a Barium enema in school(10years ago) I said I would not ever have that procedure done.  Well never say never!! I am having it done in a facilty where I have worked with the doctors but not the techs.  I guess I am breaking the rules by posting this and yammering on.  I know all about what will happen but I do not know the feelings involved. Such as, how  difficult is it to hold the barium or how uncomfortable is it?  I have never even had an enema before so is the tip painful or does your body shortly adapt to it.  The tip I know is about the size of a finger but the ballon that gets pumped up to help you hold the tip is the size of a tangerine when inflated.  Any reassurance and comfort would greatly be appreciated.

[MickeyVicki]

One of my patients had one, and she did not complain to me afterwards of any discomfort.  She did say that it was very embarrassing, and I can see why one would say such a thing.  However, I did not go into the room with her, so you might know more about the procedure than I do.

[chelan2]

I had one a couple of years ago.  It wasn't as bad as I thought.  The radiologist was there and made sure I was comfortable and even cracked a few jokes to break the ice and reduce any embarassment.  The worst part was the prep and fasting for so long.

[xrayu2]

I had an IVP when I was 18 and it took numerous amounts of liquids just for me to choke down the liquid laxative.  So I'm looking forward to that too.  My problem now is the pressure that I have in my pelvic area now is so bad that i honestly do not know how I will stand my colon being full.  Gas pain (i know TMI) bring s tears to my eyes and I am fairly tough.  I had natural child birth no epidural and several pitosin shots to increase my contractions.  My pain threshhold is high but I worry about this.

[Lauriette]

I had one early on, I have a mild form of ulcerative colitis. I should post my poem "the whiney heiney blues" which is about the colonoscopies I have had. I have had prolly, let me think.  5 or 6? Not sigmoidoscopies, colonoscopies. Mostly, the prep is the hard part. It'll be a piece of cake once you are there, and yes, it depends on the technician.

good luck

laurie

[Moosiebjm]

I've gone the colonoscopy route several times as well.  The prep really is yucky.  I refrigerated then added Crystal Light to it and that made it more palatable.

Frankly, I think I'd rather have the barium enema, than the barium cocktail they make you do for a CT scan. . . The enema was more of an embarassment than anything else.  Drinking that nasty stuff though. . . I found the fake apple flavor one to be much easier to take than the banana.

It'll be over before you know it.  Love, hugs and God bless, Barb

[xrayu2]

Sad thing I am a technologist and will be the patient.  It is my job to calm the fears of the  patient and now I am asking for my fears to be calmed.