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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/7/2011 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I am new to the forum and have a question about small bowel series.
My son has Crohn's diagnosed in his colon and ileum.
I would like to ask if you have any experience with small bowel series, any tips or advise?
Is there a better barium milk shake we should ask for?
Is it necessary to take laxative after the test?
Thank you so much!
Lucy

P.S.
I am reading your posts and am amazed how compassionate and giving the people from this forum are!
Posted 4/7/2011 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lucy,

The SBFT is a very common diagnostic test for Crohn's. It gives a very clear picture of the small intestine, particularly the Terminal Ilium, which can't be reached by conlonoscopy or endoscopy.

There is a prep that you have to go through beforehand. Also, sometimes they have to imput air to get a clearer picture. 

It's relatively painless, just mildy uncomfortable at times. I'm not an expert, and hopefully you'll get a few more replies. 

You've come to the right place. This is an excellent forum. There truly is some very caring/compassionate individuals here. 

Posted 4/7/2011 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
hi Lucy,

I've had 2 small bowel series in the last year or so. The only thing I had to do was not drink or eat anything after a certain time.. I think it was 12 hours before the test but every place may be different...no prep as far as cleaning me out. By the time you get there you are so thirsty you will drink anything!! Just make sure it has a straw and is somewhat cold (hopefully).

The last one I had went on all day (from 9am till 2pm) as the stricture in my terminal ileum is so long.. 20cm. It took forever for the barium to reach my colon. They come in every so often and take an x-ray, and when the barium finally does get into the colon they start to move you all about with 'paddles' on your abdomen. I had never realized how much our small intestines can be moved around from the outside.. it's simply amazing. Anyway they are moving them about so they can see things from all sides.. (this never hurt me so don't be worried for your son) some more x-rays.. and if you are lucky enough (I like to see everything) you will see your insides all aglow on the TV monitor. I've NEVER had air put into me except during colonoscopies and endoscopies..

I'm not an expert by any means but I know that taking a laxative usually is a bad idea with Crohn's.. even tho I am prone to having constipation my GI told me never to take anything stronger than milk of magnesia or a stool softener. That being said I never took even those after the small bowel series. I just drank a lot of water and chamomile tea after I got home.. also apple sauce, natural ices.. stayed away from starchy things.. Constipation prone as I am.. I think it took me about 3 whole days not to see any white in my stool anymore.. when in doubt call your doctor!
NY Veggie
Posted 4/7/2011 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Okay Tom is thinking of the wrong test. Never had to prep or have air inserted. I think he thinking of the barium enema. The small bowel follow thru is nothing to eat after midnight. You will go in and drink approximately 2 glasses of Barium. Then will wait 15 min and take an xray, then every 15 minutes they will repeat the xray until the barium moves thru your system. I try to drink the barium down as quickly as I can. I also ask for a wet wash cloth so that I can wipe my mouth and tongue down after every drink. I also try to walk the halls as much as I can to get the stuff to move thru me.

No need for a laxative afterwards. But what you should do is drink lots and lots of water afterwards to flush that gunk out of your system. Good luck with your test.
Posted 4/7/2011 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I complete agree with everything Nanners just posted.

It is quite a bit of barium to drink but is usually flavored. The weight of the barium is worst part but it's tolerable.

The SBFT diagnosed me after 20 years of misdiagnoses. An astute surgeon called in to ER remove my gallbadder realized I was obstructed and probably had CD. A few days later I was diagnosed and will be forever grateful to him. He was the only one ever to order a SBFT.
Posted 4/8/2011 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Ditto all that Nanners said plus they let me rinse my mouth out with water to get rid of the taste of the barium as long as I promise not to swallow ;) really help me not gag! Really not that bad and quite interesting to watch it going through. Good luck :)
Posted 4/8/2011 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
My one trick for getting all the barium down is to hold my nose. If you can't smell something, you can't taste it. You look a little funny, but it does work. I've had more SB series than I care to remember, and I always hold my nose to get the barium down.
Posted 4/8/2011 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Good point Zanne. Any other recommendations though? The stuff is really hard for me to keep down (personally).
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