Was the Golden Age for Barium enemas years after the golden age had peaked?

I was not alive that far back to remember, but it seems from what I can find that use of barium enemas peaked sometime in the early to mid 1970s, and after that the colonoscopy came along. They went right down.

Clearly by 1970 the "golden age" of home enemas was unwinding,

I remember my mom having a barium enema in the late 70s. My wife got her first one in 1990 and I got my first in 1991. I remember that when I stopped by the x-ray facility to make an appointment and get the prep instructions the receptionist asked me what type of test the doctor had ordered. When I told her a BE she giggled and said they were very common and thats all they did the first few hours almost every day. My wife had a total of three, the last being in 1998. I only got one more in 1997. Ever since then its been colonoscopies for both of us.

I had one in about 2002. It was a double contrast BE. Lots of cramping, lots of exposure as I was repositioning on the table and the useless gown ended up by my upper belly. While it wasn't sexy, I'm pretty sure I had an erection for most of the time. I didn't reach down to be sure.

I had my only BE in 1992 for a "bleeding issue" discovered after my DRE (turned out to be a hemmoroid). Docotr ordered one and I went to the local hospital for it. Got there and had three others "in-line". My turn came and I climbed on the rotatable table under the xray machine. The nurse inserted a double balloon nozzle and away we went. The table moved at certain times to allow fluid movement for the technician (I guess). Pressure was not bad at all after a good enema series clean-out the night before. When done, I climbed off the table and expelled in a nearby john. I then went home and did another series of flush enemas to clear the barium from my intestinal tract.

All in all, glad I experienced at least one (especially when nothing else was noted in the findings...).

I had 3 BEs from the mid-70s until the late 80s when colonoscopy's took over, The prep was awful- not enemas but laxatives- and the BE was unpleasant and not erotic the first two times. The third time I had a sigmoidoscopy at my Physician's first then the BE. The radiologist this time was an asian lady and the scope was hooked up so she could view it continuously. She kept asking how I was doing and I kept saying fine and this was definitely erotic- less painful, more intimate, and quite meorable. The air contrast was never fun and she even cut back on that.

I'm kind of sad in a way that I missed out on the barium enema age. I read the medical stories and fantasize about the good old days where you got prepped with a couple of large volume enemas and then got the big barium enema or rigid scope. Those are the things that great medical play are made of. I knopw that they still do barium enemas sometimes so maybe I will luck up and get to experience one.

I had a barium enema as a teenager in the mid 1960's. It was done following a sigmoidoscopy a few days earlier. Neither procedure was too uncomfortable but both, especially the sigmoidoscopy, were somewhat embarrassing. I was in the hospital and was prepped for both procedures in the same way; liquids only for 24 hrs prior, and enemas until clear the night before.

I think all of you are right; colonoscopy has almost replaced the BaE these days. And why not? Visualization, rather than viewing a photo negative is usually better. When scoping started gaining ground, insurance companies rebelled; BaE's cost about $65.00, when Gastro's. were charging over $2000.00 for scoping, because they categorized it as "outpatient surgery". Since polyps can be snipped, etc., with the scope, insurances have given up the fight.

The hospital entry the day before procedure has also been eliminated; hence all the oral PEG solutions that have hit the market. How any people would do enemas 'til clear at home (or had the equipment or know-how to do so--or the discipline to get a good clean out)?

When I had my bowel resection for colon cancer, I drank Go-Lytely the day before, took antibiotics as Rx'd by the surgeon and had my Fam. Pract. Doc. do my H.& P. in his office. I left my house to arrive at the hospital at 5:30 A.M., where a male surg. tech. shaved my abdomen and intimate areas, had a brief visit with my surgeon and anesthesiologist and off I went to an O.R.

Even in other countries, where admissions to hospitals are still made the day before, the usual bowel prep. is PEG solutions delivered by N.G. tube; no one has to keep bringing you stuff to drink, or keep doing enemas 'til clear (both labor intensive)

Over the years I've had a number of barium enemas, primarily to diagnose problems caused by adhesions from early bowel surgery. I've witnessed the change over from the traditional castor oil and SSEs until clear prep to mainly laxatives followed by a Dulcolax suppository or a fleet enema. Back in the 60s I had a BA and rigid sigmoidoscope exam that employed the old fashioned castor oil/ SSE prep. This was the last time that prep was used. This became a memorable experience as the nurse who did the prep turned out to be a Klismo. This led to a long term relationship. For anyone interested I'm describing it in a story I started titled "A Hospital Visit, Part 1"

I had a Barium Enema last Wednesday.....see "When was your last enema" for details. I also had one about this time last year, so not to worry folks...BE's are still frequently scheduled.

the boxcar

I had a double contrast barium enema 1& 1/2 yrs ago, and I don't think they used more than 2 liters of barium. no cramping, even when they pumped in the air. don't think they knew what they were doing....

My experiences with a barium enema at age 11.

As is known, I was the recipient of many enemas as a child growing up, mostly from my uncle. My dad was the giver also, and I did receive them from him too.

I cannot recall, but at age 11, I began to have some kind of abdominal upset that would give me diarrhea at times, even though I had had an enema previously. This went on for some time, until finally it was decided to whisk me to the doctor to check this out. My uncle took me, and after arriving, I was treated to the most extensive exam I think I had ever experienced to that time. It involved lots of prodding, poking, and examining of me both with X-Ray and blood work, etc. I also, to my great embarrassment, was given a thorough rectal exam which consisted of an enema (even though I had gotten an enema at home before coming to the doctor) right in the doctor’s office. Now, I did not mind enemas, as I said, had received many at home, but was very hesitant and embarrassed that someone other than my uncle or dad was going to give me one. The nurse was nice about it, but even though, I remember I cried a bit as it was being done. She used a kind of bag, and as I recall, not too much fluid, so it did not hurt. But there must have been some other ingredient in the enema, because it gave me good cramps and a real desire to expel immediately. Luckily, I did not have to hold this enema long, and after the expulsion, was back on the exam table for the rectal exam. The doctor did not use a proctoscope, but only a speculum, so it was not too bad.

Since he could not find a direct reason for my problem, it was arranged for me to be admitted to the small local hospital for a series of barium tests. Little did I know what I was in for!!

My uncle and dad explained in detail just what would be happening to me, and by the time they were finished, I was quite nervous about the procedures which were scheduled for the next day.

That evening, I was given several enemas to prepare me for the tests, and after the enemas, I fell into a good sleep, only to be awakened the next morning early, for the trip to the hospital.

Upon admittance, I was taken to a room, which contained only one other boy, a bit younger than me, and was put to bed in my pajamas. It seemed OK so far, but soon an orderly came in and took my vital signs, including a temperature which he did rectally. Following this, he said my x ray test was scheduled for 10:00 that morning and that he would be back to give me an enema before. I tried to explain that my uncle had given me enemas last night, but as usual in a hospital, they are going to do it their own way, so I was resigned to getting another enema.

It was not long before he returned with an enema can, hose and the necessary padding for giving an enema. He did pull the flimsy curtain around my bed, and then pulled the covers down, and proceeded to remove my pajama bottoms, and had me turn on my side in the Sims position to receive the enema. I did not get a good look at the hose, and so I did not notice if it had a nozzle on it or not, but I think it was just a sort of colon tube. He proceeded to lubricate me, and then I felt my cheeks being parted and the entrance of the hose. It was smooth, and felt OK and was not inserted too far. Then the familiar click signaling the beginning of the enema. It ran in, and as usual, I was familiar with the feelings, and was beginning to relax a bit, when a cramp or two hit. After a stop he massaged my tummy, and eventually continued the enema. When it was all in, and he had removed the tube, he quickly put my pajama bottoms back on me, and helped me to the toilet located in the far side of the room. I am sure my room mate had heard all of this, and although I did not cry as in the doctor’s office, I did make the necessary moans, and groans of one being given an enema. The orderly remained as I expelled, and was a bit surprised to see that there was practically nothing in the toilet after I had finished, because he remarked that maybe I did not need that enema after all! That my uncle had done a good job!

I was put back to bed, and soon received a pill, and a shot which made me a bit sleepy and very relaxed.

Shortly it was time for me to be taken to the x ray department for my barium experience.

The orderly appeared with the gurney, and I hopped on and was covered and taken to the x ray department. When I arrived, a nice tech helped me on the x ray table, and explained what they were going to do. I saw a large enema bag that was white, with a long hose hanging down and a funny kind of thing on the end. This, as was explained to me, was a retention nozzle so I could keep the enema inside me for the time it took to make the x rays. At the very mention of the word “enema” I got that clammy and afraid feeling---knowing another enema was going to be given to me----and by another stranger. The tech was a nice man, quite young, I think, and was very good at explaining just what he was going to do. So, I was prepared for this enema by having my gown removed, and a light covering placed over my naked body. I think it was at this time that I began to sniff, and have a tear or two, mainly because of the strangeness of the room and how it appeared. There was this big table thing I was lying on, and a big item hanging overhead, which was the x ray machine. The room was darkened, and rather cold, as I remember, but my attention to that was short as I felt the tech moving me on my back and pulling the sheet back to expose my lower body. I was then asked to raise up my legs, and I felt something cold being applied to my rectum. I was asked to bear down like I was going poop, and when I did, I felt this big thing begin to enter me. It hurt, and was not at all like the nozzle that my uncle used, and this got me to whimpering a bit. Finally it was inside me to the techs satisfaction, and the little balloons were inflated. This was a new feeling all together!

Once the tube was inserted, my legs were lowered, and I was covered with the sheet, and awaited the barium to be put inside me. As soon as the doctor appeared, the enema was begun. It was cold, and it really was uncomfortable—especially for an 11 year old!! But, I had no choice! I had to lie there and let it go inside me. Soon enough was in, so that the pictures could be taken. There was great moving and clanging as the x ray machine moved to different positions, and of course I was moved too. The table tilted back, and I felt the barium going deeper inside me. I was experiencing quite a new group of feelings as the pictures were taken, and the procedure progressed. As this was going on, the sheet covering me fell aside, and I remember lying there naked with this long hose going into my bottom. At this point, I did begin to softly cry, as it was quite a feeling of fullness, and uncomfortable. But there was more to come!

Finally, it was announced to me that they were going to introduce some air into the barium, after some was drained out. (This was done by putting the bag on the floor) I apparently was going to have what is called an “air contrast study”. So, some air was pumped into me, causing me to really begin to cry as this was a new strange feeling and really hurt. The tech was very consoling, and I did feel a bit better.

Finally this torture was over! The remainder of the barium and some of the air was removed, and the tube deflated, and my legs once again came up for the removal of the nozzle. Once again, my privates and bottom were on display for any and all to see, as the tech removed the tube from my now quite sore bottom. My legs were lowered, and the tech helped me off the table and to the little toilet room off the x ray room. All this time, I was naked. After expelling the remaining barium, I was again placed on the gurney. The sheet was replaced, and I was taken back to my room.

The orderly soon came to visit me with the exciting news that I was to have another enema or two to remove the barium. I was not happy, but at least the enema would be given in my room, rather than in a sort of public place like that x ray department. As I looked around, I saw that another boy had been admitted to one of the 4 beds in the room, and he looked a bit older than I.

Soon the orderly appeared with the requisite enema apparatus, and proceeded to give me the enema to remove the barium that might have remained. This was done as before, with the orderly removing my pajama bottoms, and giving me the enema on my side. My pajamas were replaced, and I was once again taken to the bathroom to expel. Apparently the enema worked, as it was told to me that one would be enough---for now.

I was put back to bed, and my uncle appeared to tell me that the doctor said I could go home in the morning, and that apparently the x rays were fine.

So, I settled back to try to enjoy what was left of this hospital experience. Finally, the dinner trays appeared, and I was ready for that!

I got to talk to the two boys who were in the room with me, and while I was embarrassed to describe in detail what had happened to me, I did tell enough so that I am sure they got the picture of what I had endured.

That night I got another enema, but I was not the only one! I got to observe it happen to the older of the two boys who were my roommates! Soon the orderly appeared with an enema for him! Although the curtain was pulled around his bed, there was a partition in the curtain that enabled me to see his face, which soon had some tears coming down his cheeks. I could hear everything—every moan, groan, and pleading to “take it out!” “that’s enough!!” “Please!!” .The other boy did not get an enema while I was there, but did get his temperature taken rectally, as did all of us.

The next morning I was taken home, and was so glad to be there. And, true to my uncle’s

word, I received another enema----to make sure all the barium was out!!!

From the point of view as a nurse, the only time I see barium enemas ordered are when the patient can't complete the ordered colonoscopy...usually due to pain or having a really twisty colon that is hard to scope.....rather than send the prepped patient home after a failed colonoscopy, a BE is frequently offered as an alternative to a repeat colonoscopy.

I got them

I had a total of three barium enemas the first as an infant. I was told that I was placed on the table in sort of a tube blown up. When they released the clamp and the barium entered my rectum I was told I stiffened up and started screaming. I was found to have a very twisted colon as well later what was known as a lazy colon. Things would hang up around the bends and I would need cleaning out. I was put on a program during my childhood to prevent problems.

I had a barium enema when I was 12 and it was embarrassing and uncomfortable. If the BE had been my only experience with an enema I may not have developed any interest in enemas at all. About 5 years later I had a regular enema given by an older nurse in a starched white uniform (back when they wore those unis) and that experience stayed with me in a positive way. As far as the BE, I was given a large does of castor oil the night before and threw up a lot in addition to spending a lot of time on the toilet.

I believe now a colonoscopy is performed more often than barium enemas, although I am sure there are times when a barium enema is also performed to rule out any problems, but they aren't the standard now as they once were. My ex boyfriend had to have a barium enema about 12 years ago.

My doc just wrote an order for a BE for me, and because I cant hold down laxitives, he found a nurse to prep me with soapsuds enemas. will keep you posted as this progresses..

Even during my diagnosis of colon cancer and prep. for surgery, I never got one enema. CT's with contrast were the defining procedure. At home drinking of PEG solutions was standard. I guess the CT machine is putting enemas out to pasture. That and those foul tasting PEG solutions.

I had forgotten all about those. Come to think of it that was the first time I ever had an enema. Can remember the dash from the table to the loo and the feeling of release. Can also remember it took a while for things to get back to normal. Maybe that was from where I got my desire to flush myself out. I must say I really enjoy the colonic irrigation and the sensation when it gets to the point where it flows back and out. Having one next week but would be nice to be able to afford to have them more often.

Well, Jimmyt, when the new female doc they gave me at the clinic wouldn't write me an order for a Barium Enema,because I wont do a colonoscopy,I found another Doc who did.he is in his sixties, and into natural healing besides mainstream medicine.I informed him that oral laxitives make me sick, and I've been using cleansing enemas all my life, and tolerate them very well. after he wrote the order for the BE, he told me he would look for someone to give me the soapsuds enema nessary for the BE prep!!!! I talked to him a few days ago, and he informed me that he found a Nurse who worked in a local hospital, and explained the situation to her, and she agreed to prep me!!! I'm waiting on her call to set it up.doctors work for YOU,Jimmy. if you aren't happy with them, change Doctors. Enemas ARENT DEAD...insurance wont pay for the prep, so I have to, but it will be much cheaper than a home nursing service!! I also told my doc that when my EX prepped me 3yrs ago for my first BE, it took 4- 3 1/2 qt SSEs to get me clean, to let him knowthat the little 1-1/2 liter enemas they use in the hospital nowadays wont do the job, and he understands that I have a much bigger capacity than normal. I'm very excited about this, and will keep you posted on the progress!!!

Manybags,

So how did things go with having the nurse give you the large volume Enemas? Hope everything came out OK.

Dan

Manybags, just curious, not critical. Why won't you do a colonoscopy? I'm 63 and over time have had prep enemas, colonics, barium enemas (1970's), abdominal CT scans and several colonoscopies as medicine has progressed with technology. Apologies if you posted this earlier. Thanks.

When the potential pathology demands the use of a colonoscopy it would be criminal to do a BE instead. BE s are falling into disfavor because they just don't yield as much. Besides the prep is the same. Oral golytely is the prep of choice not enemas.

When the potential pathology demands the use of a colonoscopy it would be criminal to do a BE instead. BE s are falling into disfavor because they just don't yield as much. Besides the prep is the same. Oral golytely is the prep of choice not enemas.

Exactly. That's why I wrote 1970's after BE earlier. That was my last one, with a number of colonoscopies in the interim, for routine surveillance (next due in 2 years), abdominal pain, history of my mother's colonic polyposis and her 3 (non-colon) primary cancers, my aunt's colon cancer, and my own H/O resected colonic polyps and acid reflux disease (gastroduodenoscopies). Here they've varied the oral prep a bit. I've had the Golytely a couple of times, but lately the GI or surgeon (I decided my GI guy was a bit of a jerk) has prescribed a much lower volume oral prep liquid whose name I can't recall. I thought it would be much easier than the enormous Golytely volume, but the "flavor" of this stuff was so intensely acrid and bitter that a) it almost came back up, and b) it was a major act of willpower to even swallow it. I'll have to see if there are any options available when the next 2-year Upper+Lower GI 'scopes come due. I still have bad memories of that stuff. When I had the 'scope in about 1976, I was told 2-quart enemas were part of the standard prep, but as you say, that's long since changed. Trust me, I'd be delighted if I could still substitute even one enema for the oral liquid now.

I had some left abdominal pain that brought me to the ED about a year ago, followed by my GI scope surgeon seeing me. Fortunately, it was diagnosed by CT in the ED and turned out to be only a non-surgical Inflamed epiploic appendage (connective tissue on the colon exterior), so I avoided a colonoscopy. That's when my surgeon friend told me to come back for surveillance in 2 years.

I am still searching for anything I can authenticate about my mother.

Something turned up a year ago last month, and with my own life of husband, twins, job and mortgage I don't have the time to spend on it that I used to, so it took me a while to make sure it is authentic, but I was finally able to establish that it is.

It was a fairly detailed medical record, including x-rays of a barium enema that my mother had in 1975, when she would have been 14. and living in Toronto.

Still not sure why a modern country would still have been doing Barium Enemas on someone that young after 1970. In one way I want to say that there must have been parental pressure, but then again, sometimes I'm not sure it was not something else. Not the section of the city that they lived in, Not a doctor that she had been to before. Puzzling!!

I had the X-rays looked at by my aunt who is a nurse, Moved a few years ago from ER to Gastroenterology because the work there is less physical on the nursing staff, and my uncle who is an EMT

Didn't have anything seriously wrong, but it did show some permanent distention, of the type that is consistent with taking large enemas.

Clearly there was a barium enema done, The outcome didn't detect major problems. The rest remains unknown!!

I know that BaE's are still done, but rarely. CT scans, especially with IV contrast show most all that is needed. I know in the 80's, they were still done, but those days are gone. Besides charges for colonoscopies are more than twice the cost of a BaE. Ultra sounds have also cut out the need for barium studies. For us Klysmo's I'm afraid the days of any form of bag enemas are just about gone in hospitals. If you can't "go" in a hospital, your get Milk of Mag., Dulcolax tabs., oral PEG solutions--then maybe a Dulcolax Suppo. or a Fleet.

My wife had one in the early 70s. She never wanted to talk about it so I don't know any details. We were in our early 20s at the time.

The unfortunate reality is a colonoscopy (virtual and real) provides much clearer imagery of the colon than the Barium Enema and requires a highly skilled radiologist to examine the image. There is some radiation exposure with a Barium enema (but f peanuts compared to a CT scan). Colonoscopy can pick up much smaller abnormalities than can a Barium enema. I think the limit on virtual colonscopy detection is on the order of a 5mm lesion.

The secondary issue (and this has proven to a real issue with virtual colonoscopy) is that if you find anything, you end up having to do a colonoscopy anyway.

The real issue here is that there is absolutely nothing in the US health care system that requires any level of cost efficiency. We insist on spending 10 times as much for something that is perhaps 10% better, and 95% of the time, the outcome from both would be exactly the same. That is one of the reasons the cost of health care in the US is so absurdly expensive. The other reason is almost nobody know what anything really costs. Call a Hospital and try to find out what something simple like a lab test will cost. I did, I spent a whole morning on the telephone and couldn't get an answer. Never mind that when the bill came, it was paid in full by insurance, for about 10 cents on the dollar.

In cancer treatment, we are quite willing to spend $100,000 or more for a treatment that extends life not years, not months, but often only a few weeks!

I had one BE, I think it was probably 1981. It was neither pleasurable or painful, just a bit uncomfortable at times. After all I had pooped with the prep, I didn't follow the instructions about taking another laxative after I got home. After about four days of no poor, I realized I had made the wrong decision. Out came the enema bag, and out came some almost concrete like pieces of residual barium mixture that had dehydrated.

I had my first of many colonoscopies around 1991. To me, this is just the logical march of advances in medical technology. Just as an MRI or CT shows a lot more than an xray, a colonoscopy shows a lot more than a BE.