[caputsky]

Hi there, I just finished a test that involved a barium enema yesterday. I was warned that I would need to drink a lot of water because the barium tends to constipate most people. Well, lo and behold, I am apparently not most people because it gave me diarrhea, which I have been dealing with since last night. I am IBS-D, but I still didn't expect this bad of a reaction. I am also experiencing painful flatulence (sorry for the TMI) and my stools are still white. Has anyone had this test and had a similar side effect afterwards? I'm just worried that these symptoms will stay for longer than I expected

. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[BQ]

The Barium has an evacuation agent in it to help you get rid of it. Lovely for D types huh? I know.. it's annoying, but the good thing is, once your bowel calms down a bit.. you should be ok. I would go easy in the diet dept... like really and truly no deep fried or junk food etc until your gut recovers. But the D you are experiencing is probably from the agent they put in it to help you pass it. I wouldn't worry.Hope you feel better real soon.BQ

 

[faze action]

I think the white-colored stool and diarrhea are fairly normal with barium. Both happened to me after I had a CT with barium as the contrast agent, although mine was an oral solution I drank, not an enema.They did tell me to drink lots of water, and the D was gone within 24 hours...

 

[TanaG]

I never had a barium test done but I know my mum had one and yes she also got D from it and she doesn't have IBS....so I guess it is rather normal. Why do they say it actually gives you C I have no idea....Think you should be recovering shortly though. Good luck!

 

[Diana63]

I have had a Barium Enema,i did not have Diahorrea,but i did suffer very painful stomach pains which did settle down.Also stools are white because that is the colour of the barium they put into you.Hope you feel better.

 

[King Of The Small Room]

It's a while since I had my barium enema so I could be wrong, but I think they slightly inflate the bowel with air when they do it. Nowhere near as much as with a colonoscopy, but probably enough for that to be responsible for the pain which follows.Flushing the toilet was the biggest problem as it's very heavy, lying there at the bottom of the pan, refusing to budge no matter how many times you flush it.