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Upper GI and Lower Bowel series anyone?

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 5/4/2011 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
I went to my follow up appt. from my colonoscopy and nothing much was seen from that, but my GI doctor is not satisfied with my constant need to take laxatives for the C, and feels there is still and underlying cause for my C and my low right side pain that I have.  He has ordered an upper GI and lower bowel series, to look at my iliuem sp? and he is not completely convinced that I even have gastroparesis. Has anyone else had this procedure done? I know I have to drink the dreaded barium *ack*, but have never even thought much about my *iliem* or even what it does? he said something about sores etc??! Couldn't this be seen during the colonoscopy?!

I guess my saga continues.

Posted 5/4/2011 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
The ileum is the last part of the small bowel, where it enters into the colon. There is a "valve" there, called the ileocecal valve. People with Crohn's disease often have inflammation in the ileum.

A small bowel series will be able to show any narrowing of the small bowel and/or ileum. Your DR should have been able to visualize the ileum during your colonoscopy, at least part of it anyway.

The x-ray series is unpleasant but not awful. Hold your nose while drinking the barium. You'll have heavy barium stool for a day or so afterward.
Posted 5/6/2011 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kazbern,

Thanks!  Yes, I would have thought the Colonoscopy would have covered everything pretty well too. I have had an upper GI scope before and I had to drink too tall containers of barium before I left my house.  However, I have been given nothing for this procedure. If you have had this done, do you have to drink the barium after you arrive at the hospital??! I have gastroparesis and drinking anything in a timed fashion is going to be difficult at best.

Posted 5/6/2011 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
momto3, in my experience (twice having done a bowel series), the barium was given to me at the radiology facility, by the radiology technicians. I drank the stuff and kept on drinking as they took x-rays.

You should ask your DR about gastroparesis and this test.
Posted 5/7/2011 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kazbern,

That is what I needed to know...I hope they have plenty of time in radiology! Yes, my GI doc knows about the GP, but doesn't seem to think that is the case, so we shall see.  I will be there bright and early for the procedure.

Posted 5/9/2011 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I went for the upper GI, lower bowel series and at the end the actual radiologist who performed the last part of the procedure, moving some sort of scanner/balloon type thing over my abdomen, said he didn't see anything of interest and that everything looked okay. I was in and out in a little over two hours from start to finish. When he was running the wand type thing over my stomach there were parts that were really tender for whatever reason, but I guess I may never really know the cause.
Posted 5/10/2011 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Just all these tests and no answers, eh? They took zelnorm off the market and it worked for me. So expensive now to get and a super hassle that I have given up.

I am taking nothing. I think my anus muscles are TOO STRETCHED out because of reactions to pain killers.

I am highly reactive to drugs...this is not voodoo. I did not imagine I left the hospital after my surgery in an ambulance on oxygen.

Those who claim allergies when their eyes tear because there is pollen in the wind need to quit their dumb complaints about "how allergic they are". Of course shots don't help because their arms hurt from taking shots ... poor arms. I had four shots a week at one point and drove miles every week to get two shots a week. (Those were mite shots and the allergist was afraid to give them to me in one dose.)

ALLERGIES EXIST despite voodoo nay sayers.
Posted 5/10/2011 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joan,

No, no answers and these are pretty invasive tests, so I'm afraid it is what it is...as one doctor told me, I was simply plugged up, well that seems to be the case, for whatever reason, and I will probably never know the reason. I've read so much, and lots of people simply need laxatives to help with *C*. I am thinking I am in that group of people. I worry about how I will be when I'm much older, I'm 40 now, and everything is so slow as it is, but there isn't much to do about it at this point. I have a great GI doctor, but I think he is simply at a loss.  At least the prednisone keeps my belly quiet from all those loud noises it makes!

I remember seeing the Zelnorm commercials, I never really understood what the med was for,  that was back when I was healthy and everything worked properly, and boy now I do!!! Ha! I wish it were stil around just as you do!

So sorry to hear about your allergies!

Posted 5/10/2011 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
momto3

Sorry to hear you have joined the ranks. One thing I will warn you about. Be careful. A lot of medications that your doctor will give you may make it worse. Your digestive system is out of whack. Help it along by watching what you eat and how much you eat. Don't go overboard and become a health nut overnight.

The best advice I could give you is this...... Keep a journal of what you eat.... Don't blindly take medications just because your doctor prescribes them. Study up on each. Take time to learn what each pill will do for you and what is the cost. If something works, use it to YOUR benefit, not your doctors. I take Amitiza but very carefully. The side effects are there but when you already suffer from a side effect, you can't get too much worse.

Help your body fix your digestive system. Stop eating foods that are hard for your digestive system to process. Take it easy for a while on processed foods. Start an exercise program that will help you reduce your condition and your mental attitude. If it is too hard to exercise then you are not sick enough. YOUR mind can fix it if you let it.

One final suggestion I use..... Cherry flavored cough drops ... I use them to calm my stomach and my nerves. My condition is just like yours. complex and not the same. If any medicine could fix it, I would have read about it.
Posted 5/10/2011 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Navyvet...Do you have Gastroparesis in addition to your other belly issues like me? Trust me, I already watch what I eat, which is next to nothing! I'm on mostly pureed foods, and I'm vegetarian on top of that! I tried Amitiza once and didn't get any results from the medication. If it is suggested again, I will try it, but yes I am terrified of any side effects that make my stomach hurt ect. Ducolax is now my worst enemy!

I do agree about looking into all medications before taking them, it is always in ones best interest to be proactive.

If my mind could heal my issues, I would have been healed a long time ago, as I have had RA for about six years now, and can remember when I was a healthy human!

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