MRI Enterography: Planning the Drink, Scan and Journey Home

If your appointment letter mentions a preparation drink, you may be wondering how to fit the scan around work, travel or your usual medicines. Read the instructions from your own radiology unit and contact it before the appointment if anything is unclear.

Ask the referring clinician what question the scan is intended to answer. Keep that question with your appointment notes so you can return to it when discussing the report.

Check the preparation for your appointment

Royal Berkshire’s July 2025 leaflet describes drinking Moviprep at the department before the scan, with eating instructions that differ between morning and afternoon appointments. It also gives specific timing advice for other medicines around the drink.¹

These are examples from that hospital’s process. Follow the instructions issued for your own appointment. Ask the unit to confirm when to arrive, what you may eat or drink and how to handle your usual medicine schedule. Do not stop or reschedule a medicine yourself.

Tell the radiology team about implants and the possibility of pregnancy before the appointment. Ask it to review your MRI safety information before you attend.¹

If drinking the preparation worries you, raise that before scan day. You could say: “I am concerned about managing the drink. What should I do if I struggle with it?”

Ask what will happen during the scan

The hospital describes a cannula for injected contrast and Buscopan, which reduces bowel movement during imaging. Its estimated time in the department includes preparation as well as the scan.¹

Ask your own team which injections are planned, what they are for and which risks matter in your case. Mention any previous reaction you want reviewed. Confirm how long you should allow for the appointment rather than planning only around the scan time.

Plan the journey home

Royal Berkshire warns that its preparation can cause watery bowel movements. Its Buscopan guidance says not to drive with blurred vision and to contact a GP immediately if a very painful red eye develops within the next 24 hours after the injection.¹

Ask the unit about aftercare for the preparation and injections it plans to use. Consider toilet access during your journey, and confirm any instructions about driving. Keep the contact details and symptom advice where you can find them after the appointment.

Arrange the result discussion

The hospital sends the report to the referring doctor. Its leaflet also explains that the test cannot guarantee detection of every bowel abnormality.¹

Ask when and how you will hear the result, who will explain it and what to do if the expected contact does not happen. At that discussion, return to the question the scan was ordered to answer and ask whether any further assessment is needed.

Bloated by Dinner includes a Test It list and visit script. Use them to organize the preparation questions and the result discussion you want with your clinical team. Explore the digestion playbook.