Barium Swallow?

Digestive health
1

Has anyone ever had a Barium Swallow xray test done?

 

2

Hi Amanda

I've had a couple. The problem with the Barium x ray is that it only shows reflux if you are refluxing at that precise moment. It will however show any swallowing issues

lol

3

Hi Amanda,

with this the Drs will not able to take the biopsies that they need. Endoscope is the way. There is an amazing pill that you can swallow that takes pictures as it travels through your system. I only discovered it 2 days ago whilst googling about my condition. Clever stuff if you don't need biopsies taken.

cheers

Sean

4

Amanda,

I have. The procedure i had was to check for scarring of the esophagus due to long term reflux.

From my own personal experience as a long time suferer the only way i rid my self of reflux was to completely remove proccesed foods, all refined sugars and most grains from my diet. It took 3 weeks for me to realize it was gone. I've sufferred on and off for 10 years. Eating an all natural diet was my solution. It was tough at first but well worth the changes i made to feel well again. Good luck with whatever you are going through. Keep studying and learning.

5

Yes, it was pretty terrible and I didn't get any useful infrormation out of it. 

6

It is a simple proecure where you drink sips of the small cup of barium liquid.

I have refused endoscopies for about forty years and have had five barium swallows in that time.

The radiographer usually a doctor tilts you around on the table to get the barium to flow and takes pictures from different angles.

Show an interest in what he/she is doing and it will be explained to you and you can see a playback for the findings.

It will show if you have any narrowing or irritation of the esophagus. 

Disorders difficulty in swallowing , spasms of the esophagus or pharynx

Hiatal hernia  and abnormally enlarged veins in the esophagus that cause bleeding, Ulcers, Tumors, Polyps and GERD.

The next day you will be pooing clay:-)

 

7

What was terrible about it??

8

I just found the whole experience unpleasent. The taste of the barium mostly. 

9

Don't try the barium enema in that case. That is really unpleasant:-)

10

Don't worry about it Amanda - it takes no time at al, is painless and really quite interesting. I am convinced, though, as others have said, that the solution to all of this is diet. Avoid whatever produces acids - wheat, coffee etc etc. It really helps! 

11

At the moment we don't know why Amanda is having the procedure.

12

The worst thing about it is drinking the stuff 

13

No worse than Gaviscon

14

Hi,

Thanks for replying.  What did you live off then for three weeks whilst you cut most things out?  I am mainly on meal replacement milkshakes for now until I have tests done to see what is wrong.

Amanda.

 

15

Hi,

Thanks for replying.  Sorry that it was terrible for you but it looking more like a gastroscopy for me now.  Their probably both as bad as each other but if it gets the results and gets me better in the end!

 

16

Hi,

Thanks for replying.  I asked for a swallow instead of a endoscopy too!  However, I am now under a specialist at a private hospital and he wants to do the camera test now as I have been told its the best way of diagnosing any kind of acid reflux problems, I am dreading it!  They said if I have a swallow done and depending that is wrong I may end up needing a camera at the end of it anyway! 

 

17

Hi Sally,

Thanks for replying.  I am sure that it is down to diet too but my problem at the moment is that I have a lump feeling in my throat when I swallow and this is now preventing me from eating solids and I am mainly on a liquid only diet.  My Gastro doctor has said that I will be better off with a camera test instead as I may end up needing one anyway after a Swallow test so I am going to have to grin and bear it and try and get it over and done with as I am getting fed up with what is wrong now and want to eat food again!

 

18

The Barium is in no way terrible.

19

Personally I would go for the non invasive test first.

20

Amanda, i was awake when i had my endoscopy done, but i think you can ask to be put out. I thought it was interesting seeing my insides on the screen. Also the lump in the throat is still a symptom of reflux. The Dr will most probably put you on prilosec or some other acid reducer. This is fine short term, but long term you need to change your diet to rid yourself of if. The quickest way i know is to drop all processed food, drop refined sugar. Trust me you stick to that it will be gone in a couple of weeks. Good luck.