Contrast enema CT scan experiences?
Posted: 2021-11-21 12:46:37
Love all the firsthand insight. Thank you! I don't mean to scare anyone but I had a rare but really awful experience with a preop test. Now I am wondering what the "normal" experience has been for other ileostomates.
I went in for a non-barium contrast enema CT scan so my doctor could see how my coloanal reconnection had healed from July 2021 surgery. (prior surgery June 2019 for ovarian tumor) No leaks detected. Per doctor, okay to go forward with ileostomy reversal. About 6 hours later I went to the ER. It would seem the test itself caused a bowel perforation.
After my hospital stay, I had a follow up visit with my doctor. He informed me that none of his patients ever experienced any (?) side effects from the enema procedure and this is a standard test that he uses all the time. Therefore all my symptoms were because of the perforation. In contrast, the on-call night nurse (with on-call doctor access) whom we called before going to the ER, informed us that my symptoms were "normal" post-procedure side effects. I had severe abdominal cramping with little control over the voiding of my bowel still half full of enema fluid when I left the lab (muscles not used in a long time) and vomiting until nothing left. Somewhere in the process I was told - probably while in the radiology lab - that irritation from the contrast and slight cramping were possible side effects. I don't remember receiving any other warnings. So I am confused as to what should have been normal symptoms and what should have been big red flags. I would love to hear what other ileostomates have experienced with this test - fluoroscopic contrast enema scan or similar tests.
I went in for a non-barium contrast enema CT scan so my doctor could see how my coloanal reconnection had healed from July 2021 surgery. (prior surgery June 2019 for ovarian tumor) No leaks detected. Per doctor, okay to go forward with ileostomy reversal. About 6 hours later I went to the ER. It would seem the test itself caused a bowel perforation.
After my hospital stay, I had a follow up visit with my doctor. He informed me that none of his patients ever experienced any (?) side effects from the enema procedure and this is a standard test that he uses all the time. Therefore all my symptoms were because of the perforation. In contrast, the on-call night nurse (with on-call doctor access) whom we called before going to the ER, informed us that my symptoms were "normal" post-procedure side effects. I had severe abdominal cramping with little control over the voiding of my bowel still half full of enema fluid when I left the lab (muscles not used in a long time) and vomiting until nothing left. Somewhere in the process I was told - probably while in the radiology lab - that irritation from the contrast and slight cramping were possible side effects. I don't remember receiving any other warnings. So I am confused as to what should have been normal symptoms and what should have been big red flags. I would love to hear what other ileostomates have experienced with this test - fluoroscopic contrast enema scan or similar tests.