CAT Scan with Barium: Ostomy Bag Concerns

Hi all.

Getting ready for a CAT scan with the barium sulfate.  (Waiting for insurance approval.  ho ho)  Surgeon of course trying to see what's what. 

Anyway, I've had scans in the past without barium, so that's it's no biggie EXCEPT I'm wondering what the hell goes on with your ostomy bag during this procedure.  Will all that barium cause a blow-out or anything?

I carry supplies with me ALWAYS, but forewarned is always good.  LOL   What has your experience been?

Thanks in advance, and happy Friday.  I'm retired, but I still can't get out of that habit.  :-)

Hi betrdanevr - you didn't say what type ostomy you have.  I have a descending colostomy and have not had any problems with barium.  They do give you less to drink than if you had an intact GI system - just remind the folks at the imaging center that you have an ostomy.  Good luck!  Pinky

Oh.  I have a descending colostomy too.

My CAT scan was supposed to be two days ago, but insurance had not approved it as of yet.  I have it rescheduled for next Monday.  I'll check on the approval and also on the amount of barium.  They gave me two 450 ml bottles to drink.  I'd better confirm they know I have a stoma.  I would be all smiles if I could take less, dontcha know.  LOL  Do you remember how much you had to drink?

Thanks for the reply!! 
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dontcha know

Ha, ha - can tell you are from the upper midwest - all my relatives living in Wisconsin use this expression!

I don't recall how much I had to drink but they gave it to me in cups (around 8 oz) rather than the tall bottles.  I don't recall ever receiving the tall plastic bottles to take home while I've had this colostomy (since 2009).  I do remember drinking 2 cups of barium right before the procedures (a barium enema and several MRIs).  Best of luck!        Pinky

Thanks for your reply!  I apologize for not posting earlier when you were so nice to answer.  :-

All went smoothly  I was envisioning all sorts of things.  Hahaha

Tomorrow isi the colonoscopy. so that means I'm prepping today.  My doctor is a gem.  I'm taking MIralax, whereas my previous surgeon made me take Golytely.  That was twice in the span of a week.  YUCK.  They had to postpoing surgery because it took me so long to take it.  I kept wretching.  LOL

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Just got home from having a CAT scan. I have a temporary ostomy; the barium ran straight through me, exploding right before the test. I always carry extra supplies, so I was able to change the bag and had a smaller explosion right after the test. The test was around five hours ago, and things appeared to have calmed down.