hi i have now been booked in for a barium swallow just wondering if anyone has had this done
Yes, years ago. It didn't involve anything more traumatic than fasting overnight, then drinking a beaker of stuff that tasted disgusting while I stood on a kind of movable platform. Then they X-rayed me while tilting me into different positions. Didn't take long, and no after-effects - apart from recognising the stuff on the way out!
Having experienced both, I can only say I'd prefer this to endoscopy any day.
I had one recently and it was nothing! The drink is better than years ago! It's like a milkshake but slightly thicker! I had an endoscopy two weeks later and that was nothing! They sedate you and in 20 min. U are awake! No side effects, no numbing! They spray
your throat while you are sleeping and it's fine before you wake Up! Believe me I am a big baby and I can say neither one was bad! Nest of luck and dont be freaked
I'm a big baby, too, but it's the idea of NOT knowing what's happening that bothers me. Know thyself, I guess.
I can only say that, for me, being awake ( unsedated ) suited me fine. I'd no idea what I was seeing but found it quite reassuring to be given a guided tour of my gut. The NHS staff were lovely and said I was their easiest patient that morning.
If I ever had to have another gastroscopy - which I devoutly hope I never do - I'd insist on staying awake too. I wasn't given a choice, got a half-dose of sedation (as I was over 65) which didn't work, just made me agitated, but the staff assumed I wouldn't remember anything afterwards, so went ahead anyway.
Sedation is absolutely fine if you're under 65 (60 in some hospitals) because you'll get a full dose and won't remember a thing. For older people it's hit-and-miss: some remember nothing, some are less fortunate.
Yes, on Wed. It's not that bad; they have improved the taste and consistency a lot since the last time I had it done. Doensn't ake bot a few minutes. First, they have you standing and take a big gulp of the liquid. Then they have you lie down and drink some and swallow as fast as you can. That was it!