bowel tests and laxatives

[Beakybird58]

hi, I’ve got a proctogram, endo anal / rectal scan and transit study on the 8th June.

The instructions on letter were vague and i was told to read enclosed instruction leaflet- non included!

Did a bit of digging and have been told ‘no laxatives or suppositories or dont douche once I start the radio opaque capsules x 2 for 3 days 6 days before all the tests. Including a barium swallow( transit study related I guess)

As I normally take senna, cosmocol& use suppositories and have to subsequently douche daily, sometimes x 2 times daily to empty and clear my dysfunctional bowel- hence tests.( I have the almost constant urge to’go’) could be neuro muscular related as have lots of lumbar disc probs, scolliosis and neural compression from a severely crushed disc and knackered facet joins.

My concern is, how am I going to cope for 6 days without all this intervention I use. Also, this is difficult to say without freaking peeps out - but if I get severely constipated and have a very fully rectum how will they get the ultrasound scanner up there?!

I rang the X-ray dept concerned and they said I could use suppositories on the morning of test- but I fear I may have exploded like a bloated goat by this point! And as for eating a ‘normal diet’ I probably will feel so bunged up and nauseous I wont cope at all.

I’m getting extremely anxious as to how I’m going to cope with said tests.

Anyone had all 3 tests done together? If so, how did you manage?

Sorry for long post and any dinner off putting comments! Thanks in advance.

[JKW1]

My suggestion for your predicament would be to contact the Specialist Department who is performing your procedure; the Secretary of the department's telephone or email should be on the hospital letter, and tell them what you have told us and ask them for advice.

🙋Good luck

[Beakybird58 in reply to JKW1]

thankyou, I shall attempt to get hold of nhs sec tomorrow.have had a lot of problems contacting nhs secretaries thus far!

[Sparkimoore]

You have my deepest sympathy! I have a really sluggish bowel which us exacerbated by meds im on too. I need to take 4x Dulcolax just to “go” a bit daily, plus Fibrogel too. They want to do “top to toe” gastro enterology tests shortly but i feel ive been thru enough, & im most certainly NOT going thru an endoscopy, but will take a camera capsule. On hearing this the nurse said she quite understood, & if thats the case, she thinks i should have a scan of my bowel rather than a Colonoscopy. I too am very worried about these “clearance” meds & how they would work with my bowel, but i dont have anywhere near the problems with my tum than you do. I understand your concern completely. Youve just got to talk frankly to the consultants secretary & ask for advice. Thinking if you & sending HUGS!

Rose

[Beakybird58 in reply to Sparkimoore]

thank you. I shall attempt to contact secretary tomorrow.