Abdominal Cramping Post Ct Scan With Barium

[pondy]

Here's a couple questions for those out there who've had the "pleasure" of having a CT Scan with Barium Sulfate & the Iodine Sol. IV...

Because I'm prone to severe C, I did about 1/2 of a mild enema when I got home. My colon moves slowly, to say the least. No way I wanted a toxic heavy metal (the Barium) just sitting in there...

So, I had a bout of D after the enema - what looked like white paint appeared in the commode. I'm assuming that was (some of) the Barium.

How do I know if it's all gone? Why am I still having abdominal cramping? I had the test yesterday morning. Are the cramps normal? If so, does anyone know how long they last?

Thanks for any & all help!

[ravenwoodglass]

Did your doctor specify that you needed gluten free solution? If not the doctor should have. I have had the CT with contrast twice, the first time I didn't even make it out of the hospital before I got violent D. The second time the doctor told them I needed the gluten free contrast, the liquid was clear and not heavily chalky like the solution I had before, and I had no ill effects at all.

It sounds like you got the non-gluten free form of contrast and it will likely take you the same amount of time to be symptom free as it would any time you have been glutened.

[Roda]

Even with the gluten free contrast diarrhea can be a side effect but there is also a chance what you got wasn't gluten free also. Stay well hydrated. It is not abnormal to have whiteish stools as you pass it. If your symptoms don't ease up after several days you can always consult your doctor.

[pondy]

Thanks for the responses!

I'm drinking tons of water, but not passing stool since yesterday afternoons D episode.

I took the Berry Smoothie Redi-Cat 2. Yeah, maybe it wasn't gluten free. Whomever I spoke to in the Imaging scheduling department did tell me "of course it's gluten free" - now that I think about it, she probably had no clue.

I'll wait it out - what else can I do - and yes, if I'm not better by the time the doc calls with my results, I'll discuss it with her.

Thanks again!

[tennisman]

I had a Barium meal earlier this year and had terrible stomach pain after drinking the Barium . I drank lots and lots of water and ate extra fruit and vegetables and fibre and the Barium was all gone in about 5 days . I really hated the test lol . You will know when the Barium is all gone when your stool colour is back to your usual stool colour , that's what I was told.

I hope your stomach feels better soon and your results are ok

[N8ra]

I know that cramping! What I have discovered over the years with contrast, cough medicine and other diagnostic and therapeutic liquids is that the sugar alcohols (like sorbitol) can cause a “laxative like” effect (including the cramping). Many times when I thought I was   glutened i was actually “fake sugared.” It is even worse for me with sucralose. Try to find a cough drop without it.   here’s more about sorbitol: 

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/D-Sorbitol#section=Top