Painful Barium Enema help

[peacenow]

Hi, today I had a barium enema which was unusually painful...had it over 15 years ago without this much pain...worried that I have something serious since it was so painful...my colonoscopy and endoscope were normal other than chronic inactive gastritis and hital hernia. I did this as my colon is so spastic the other tests were unable to view the rest, so I had this done. When the air was put into my colon I had so much cramping and barely able to stand...later I took awhile to pass gas and felt like brick was under left rib cage.

Is this normal?

[Jaybay]

Yep, unfortunately in some people - particularly those with spastic colons - the air used for the contrast can the pain you describe.  All you can do is wait to pass all the air and barium.  I had the same problem during a BE.  Just awful, isn't it?  Bad enough it's such a degrading and humiliating test, but to have that kind of pain on top of it is just... well, there isn't a strong enough descriptive word I can use on a public forum!  Hope you get all that stuff out of you sooner rather than later.  :-)

[peacenow]

Thank you that gives me peace of mind to know that it's not uncommon for we "spastic colon" sufferers. I am barely feeling better now that some of the barium is gone, but yes so humiliating...I thought I was going to faint at one point. I appreciate your responding.

take care