X-ray with contrast to see fistula: FAIL

Today I had to have an x-ray to try to see the RV fistula. It was an awful experience. I had to do a prep yesterday, which they said should have been like a colonoscopy prep, but I was still having solid BMs 10 minutes before the x-ray. All they had me do was have clear fluids the day before, take two laxatives at noon, and then drink a bottle of magnesium citrate. Should this have been enough to clear me out? It makes me nervous for my FMT in a few weeks.

When I got there, they said instead of a barium enema, they were using some water-based fluid. They filled up a giant bag, attached it to some tubing, and inserted the tubing into my bottom. They then taped my bottom cheeks together and for 20 minutes pushed a bunch of the fluid into me, all the while having me rotate my body around from laying on left side to right side. But unfortunately, my fistula is so low that the tubing blocked it and couldn't get any contrast into it. They tried to pull out the tubing as far as possible, but it made the fluid just run out. I was laying on this inner-tube thing with a closed bottom that collected all of the fluid and I just laid in it.

They decided to ask the radiologist what to do, so they just left me there with my stomach cramping trying to push everything out, but the tubing and taped-closed-cheeks kept everything inside. After about 20 minutes, they came back and said the first radiologist had no idea and the second was in a procedure, so to just go to the bathroom to empty everything as hard/fast as possible to see if I could push some of the contrast into the fistula by just going.

While I was on the toilet, the fire alarm started flashing. No joke. It turns out the hospital was doing testing, but apparently the x-ray room itself didn't have one, so they had no idea. I had to yell out to them (the bathroom was in the x-ray room) and they came in to see what was going on.

After all of that, I went back on the table, but there was no contrast in the fistula. So they just sent me home. If it weren't for the fact that I know I have a fistula (the draining seton is a dead give-away), then I think they would think I didn't have one.

Overall, not the most pleasant experience I've ever had. Although they did compliment me on my tiny bottom (that's a first, since I'm about 30 lbs overweight due to baby and prednisone) and my amazing strength at clenching my bottom muscles tight to hold in the tubing (due to lots of practice of holding in D!).

Oh, bless your heart! That brings back memories of doing the same thing except for an obstruction at my anastomosis after colon surgery. I've had two miscarriages and one live birth and the pain was right up there with labor pain. They used some sort of bulb on the tube that I couldn't blow out not matter what I did. I literally prayed the entire time--out loud.

But they didn't have a fire drill during it. Oh bless your heart!

I had that awful test too....it was pure torture. I was sobbing on the table. After everything I have been through with childbirth and Crohn's, it was the most humiliating, debilitating test I have ever had. Even my emergency surgery and ostomy don't compare that that test.

I know how you are feeling and am sending you some warm hugs. Rest up.

K

Oh dear, I can relate to some extent. When I had my last enterocolonography, I had something similar. They put this giant water enema into my butt, forced me to drink a gallon of water and injected me intravenously w a contrast. I was shivering coz of coldness and my bowels were struggling to push the water out. I even screamed when they injected me.
{{{Hugs}}}

We go through a ton of horrible testing and struggles with the disease itself, but that whole experience sounds downright horrible. I'm so sorry, and you of all people, surely don't deserve that!!! it sounds barbaric!!! What is the plan now that they have tortured you with no result? I'm so sorry you have been through all of that. I think you are getting close to meeting the "traumatic stress" part of PTSD. Hang in there though...with your strong faith and all of us, and your family and friends who love you, hopefully we'll get you through it all!!! *Sending hugs from my hospital room in the middle of the night

Sounds horrible! The only good news - it's OVER!