Small bowel follow through - questions

Yes a volumen contrast is required for a follow-through. You'll have to drink it before undergoing the MRI. It expands the small intestine so the walls can be examined. The intestine is normally collapsed when empty and therefore harder to examine the thickness of the walls. Thick walls = inflammation.

I am flaring and had to drink volumen for an MRI last Friday. It had a citrus flavor, was slightly sweet, and had the consistency of watery slime.

I did not experience any increase in symptoms, but did have to urgently go when I got home.

I had to fast for four hours and then drink 3 bottles of volumen that were 450ml each. I had to drink one bottle every 15 minutes until they were finished. I found pouring it over ice to be helpful.

Hope this helps.

I think it's a smart plan. You will likely be able to get things managed, but it's better to have this information in case you ever decide it's time for surgery. Better to do it ahead of time instead of rushing to try to get it done when you're out of options. I didn't have to prep. I actually had no idea what to expect, but I wasn't eating much at the time due to the flare up I was experiencing. I got to the hospital and they handed me the barium. I had to show up very early. I was shocked that even though I was there at 10 or whatever, I wasn't actually going in for an hour+. I was in a fairly severe flare up so every moment was unpredictable. I didn't know if I could hold it, or what would happen after the barium. I didn't feel confident being away from a toilet & worse, in a tube. I drank the drink and went to get some blood work. everything seemed OK. When I finished with the blood, I went back to the waiting room on the same campus, and things started getting prickly. I needed to go NOW. I rushed to the bathroom, someone was in there. I found another... Then AGAIN. and AGAIN. What a nightmare. The nurse finally came to get me and while we were walking to the room, it hit AGAIN. Then when I got seated to go in, AGAIN. Then I was really getting nervous that it wouldn't work out. She had told me in advance that if I moved I would have to start over. There was one more trip before going in. This one was really bad because the bathroom closest was locked and I pretty much had to push a man in a wheelchair out of the way while wearing a gown, running down a hospital hallway to get there in time. The man in the chair directing me thankfully. This was this old historic building that felt like some sort of mental facility. What a terrible day... I am sure yours will be uneventful though, as long as you can hold it. That barium is a bit of a laxative.

All we can do is make the best decision we can with a rather crappy hand of cards.