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General health

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Original poster

Anyone had a barium meal? How bad does it taste?

16 replies

weebleswobble · 08/11/2007 21:05

Ds2 age 11 is going to have a barium meal to see if there's narrowing in his intestines. The Consultant said if he didn't want to drink it because it doesn't taste very good, he could have it via an NG tube. Ds has bad memories of having an NG tube being put in and is not keen.

I'm wondering what the chances are of getting him to drink it if it really tastes that bad.

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 08/11/2007 21:07

when I had it, it just tasted all chalky (but it was quite thick I think?).

I thought they put flavours in the children's ones (like milkshake flavours).

I would call the X-ray department (or wherever it is that does it) and just check exactly what will happen.

whomovedmychocolate · 08/11/2007 21:09

It's pretty horrible, like minty chalk. It's not so much the taste but the texture. Best thing is, promise him immediately after he can have a big drink of and wash the stuff out. It's not that bad, but it's definitely better than a NG tube.

whomovedmychocolate · 08/11/2007 21:10

Actually it's not dissimilar to Gaviscon IMHO.

foxinsocks · 08/11/2007 21:12

yes, that's a good description (the gaviscon one).

But check they don't flavour it because I thought they did. He still needs to get over the thickness of it.

Yes, I agree with whomoved. A quick 'shut your eyes and down the trap' and then a big treat afterwards!

Original poster

weebleswobble · 08/11/2007 21:12

Good idea - I'll ring X-ray tomorrow and ask if they flavour it. If they don't I think I'll do my best to talk him into the tube to save a wasted trip. Consultant did say that if he tried to drink it and couldn't, there probably wouldn't be enough time to take him off to insert the tube and have it done again the same day.

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 08/11/2007 21:18

Also, please insist on asking for a laxative or something to ease the passage of the barium meal through the body for the days after the test.

I wasn't given anything and didn't realise I was supposed to really up the liquids after having it and

EXCUSE THE TMI

got terribly TERRIBLY constipated (and I'm a huge fruit and veg eater) and got horrible piles

I am only admitting this on here because I reckon it's only us reading this (if you're lurking, do not post ) but I wanted to warn you in advance because I was NEVER told about it possibly causing hideous constipation BUT IT DID.

Original poster

weebleswobble · 08/11/2007 21:21

No problems - I won't tell anyone else

I shouldn't think constipation would be a problem for him because he has Crohn's. It's keeping it in that thats the problem but I will get him to drink loads after. Thanks for that advice.

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 08/11/2007 21:26

oh poor lad. Let us know what the X-ray people say. I hope they can make it taste a little better for him.

if you know the hospital, sometimes they have the information online?

Original poster

weebleswobble · 08/11/2007 21:34

Another good idea! I can't think straight today. I'm going to have a look now.

OP posts:

WhizzFizzBadKitten · 08/11/2007 21:47

Don't go for the fruits of forest flavour - its not great! other than that its ok and not nearly as bad as I feared.

Original poster

weebleswobble · 09/11/2007 11:39

Just to update - I rang the hospital and they asked the Consultant in x-ray if they have flavoured barium meal. The answer was no, but they might be able to try to flavour it on the day. Great! He's having the tube with a big bar of chocolate to have after.

OP posts:

Pruners · 09/11/2007 11:49

Message withdrawn

vole3 · 09/11/2007 18:28

One of the great pleasures of training to be a radiographer is getting to taste the contrast media - barium isn't as bad as the fatty meal stuff. It is just like Gaviscon, just not mint or aniseed, but the cup does feel a lot heavier than you expect.

Given the option, I would rather drink it than have an NG tube as I have seen too many adults not cope very well with an NG tube being placed, despite local anaesthetic gel to numb things a bit.

If it's to investigate a narrowing in his smal bowel, then that is a meal and follow-through. It can take 45 minutes or it can take hours (and hours and hours....), as everyone is different. If he's been having things go straight through him, then you may be quick, but otherwise take plenty of things to keep the pair of you amused. If he brings a pair of plain PJ's - no printing or buttons, he may be allowed to wear them instead of the 'one-size-fits-nobody' gown and feel less uncomfortable about the whole procedure.

frankie3 · 09/11/2007 18:38

I've had barium meal and they put orange squash in it to disguise the taste so it really wasn't that bad.

Original poster

weebleswobble · 09/11/2007 18:40

Thanks for that info Vole. The problem is that if he doesn't have the NG tube and then goes on to have a problem with drinking it they said they wouldn't have time to take him off to put the NG tube in and start again. They think he's constricted at the ileum. We don't want to have to re-book the appointment because he couldn't drink it and delay possible surgery.

I've talked to him about it today and he agrees to having the NG tube with the promise of chocolate afterwards.

OP posts:

orangehead · 09/11/2007 18:45

I had one done when I was about 6, so a long time ago now, I dont really remember what it tasted like but dont remember having a problem drinking it. Infact I found the whole thing quite fun as they showed me what the inside of my stomach looked like on screen, or maybe thats just me being a bit werid

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