anyone's DC had a barium enema?

[mintyneb]

my 3 year old DD is due to have a barium enema in a couple of weeks and I wondered if anyone else has gone through this with their DC?

I have had the procedure myself so know what they will want to do with her but wondered if anyone could give any tips as to how to make it easier for her?

The hospital can't (or won't) do it under sedation so I know she will be well aware of everything and remember it afterwards

thanks

sorry cant help with this, but wanted to send big hugs to her.. i have had this done myself and i cant imagine how they can do it to a child without sedation? it was a rather uncomfortable procedure to say the least, not only having it done but the prep u drink before hand is pretty brutal.

good luck hope she tolerates it well and it isn't to stressful for either of you xx

thanks Twilight, its nice to have some words of encouragement. I guess not too many children go through this - well if the fact sheet from the hospital is anything to go by as it has an old dialing code on it for the department's phone number!

Having had both a colonoscopy and barium enema myself last summer I know exactly what is going to happen although in her case they are not proposing to put her through the preparation. She is just to fast the morning of the procedure but I doubt that will leave her bowels particularly clear.

I'm sorely tempted to get them to do a normal x ray to start with to see if it is clear enough to go ahead rather than just try the procedure (with all the stress that it will undoubtedly bring)and then have to stop

Not looking forward to it in the slightest. I had to do a stool sample from her poo a few weeks ago and when she saw the little spatula you have to use said 'you are not going to put that in my bottom are you?' :-(

at least she doesnt need to drink the prep, i found it quite shocking what that did to me i was sprinting to the toilet for hours lol..

I too have had both a number of times, (i have ulcerative colitis) and it really is not nice, i am wondering also if it will be clear enough to see much from just fasting that morning?

poor little mite, i am pretty sure they will rearrange for under sedation is she doesnt tolerate it, i cant imagine a 3 yr old staying still while something is put up her bottom can you? xx

thanks again twilight for replying. I'm starting to doubt if they will be able to do anything at the appt (next Monday 21st) as I think DD's bowel is blocking up again - a long story and the reason why she is having the enema - but I will just have to wait and see

will let you know how it goes if you're interested

Hi Mintyneb my son had one at about the same age, they did a bowel wash out first to clear the way so to speak. He tolerated it very well I had explained beforhand what would happen and the staff were lovely with him.
We had a funny moment afterwards when sat on the loo he shouted" Mummy I am peeing out of my bum!"
Good luck

mintyneb- of course let me know how it goes, i will come online to check for an update good luck

noshouting- that made me laugh bless him, thats exactly what it is like!

just a quick update. I explained to DD what was going to happen this morning and despite going a bit quiet at the thought of something being put in her bottom, she was an absolute star.

Unfortunately, due to a broken Xray machine at the hospital and two patient lists being squeezed into one, our eleven o'clock appt ended up being well after 12.30pm. Poor little mite was absolutely starving by the time they saw us.

Anyway, they did a normal xray without me even having to ask which showed she was bunged up but still worth trying the procedure. Unfortunately, they could only get the barium about 2" up inside before it hit poo and they had to call it a day :-(. So we are not really any further forward but yet again my DD has shown me what a fantastic patient and tolerant little girl she is so I am very proud