wanderingcobra76
Member
44 messages
joined Nov 2010
I don't work in Chicago, but I’ll check in tomorrow to see what the situation is regarding restrooms near the imaging suites at the local hospitals—it sounds absolutely surreal to me that they wouldn't have a restroom available for that purpose.😕
So... the procedure here in the States—which should be more or less the same everywhere—goes like this:
You undress in a changing stall (you can stay in a T-shirt or an undershirt and some socks) and lie down on the exam table. Then, the radiology technician inserts a thin catheter into the rectum (about 6-7mm in diameter), uses X-rays to check the placement, and then slowly pumps the contrast medium through that tube—it's that same "chalky" stuff, specifically a barium sulfate suspension.
As it goes, the radiologist uses fluoroscopy to monitor how the contrast is moving through the intestines; they'll give you instructions to roll onto your left side, then your stomach, then your right side—essentially whatever positions best help that contrast flow from the rectum all the way to where the large intestine meets the small intestine.
The radiologist tries to use as little contrast as possible to ensure the image quality is high (so no one is just pumping you full for no reason). Once the contrast has coated the entire large intestine, they begin gently pumping air through that same catheter (which stays in the rectum the whole time) to expand the bowel—again, the doctor will tell you how to turn so the air moves through properly—and then the radiologist takes images of all sections of the colon (once more, they'll guide your positioning to get the clearest view).
The tech removes the catheter and sends you to the restroom (hopefully located right by the imaging room) to empty out; once you're done, you head back, and they might take one final follow-up image after you've cleared everything.
And that's really it! You might still be passing some of that "chalk" throughout the day, but if you clear out well immediately after the exam, you shouldn't have much trouble getting home.
Now, as for how long it lasts... well, it varies by patient. Let's say 15 minutes is the average, though I've seen perfectly prepared patients who were finished in five, and I've also seen it stretch past the half-hour mark if the contrast gets "stuck" in a certain part of the intestine—in those cases, the doctor might lightly massage your abdomen or ask you to switch sides to get things moving.
The most uncomfortable part is the beginning, because having the contrast in the rectum creates a very strong urge to go. Once the contrast flows into the rest of the intestine, that feeling eases up. Then, you'll feel another surge when the air is being pumped in, which also subsides once the air distributes itself.
It does happen occasionally that patients can't hold the contrast and start losing it right there on the table, but that's usually elderly or frail patients.
To make the whole thing as painless as possible, the most important things are to clean yourself out thoroughly (just like for a colonoscopy) and try to relax 🙄 during the exam, because if you tense up, the contrast tends to get stuck.
Oh—and squeeze tight if you feel like you're about to have an accident!
Good luck! 👍
