Barium swallow test....help!

[Kayteee]

Hi all,
I am due to have a Barium swallow test tomorrow and would really appreciate some info from anyone who's had one too please. I am bricking it tbh so any tips gratefully received.

It tastes disgusting and you have to lie and be xrayed for a long time which for me was agony as I was in a great deal of pain. Beyond that, I can't remember much (was very ill). Anything specific you want to ask?

thanks Dumbledoresgirl,
i am worried about the barium making me constipated as my stomach is very sensitive atm. Also, did they "compress" your abdomen? If so, how was that done? I am a big baby when it comes to these things...

It can make you a bit constipated, so I'd have some Fybogel afterwards, and really make sure you drink lots to keep really well hydrated. Some barium tastes worse than others - there is a particularly yucky aniseed flavour, but most departments try and make it nicer with squash.

They are really very gentle with you if they need to compress - it's just a plasticy sheet that is put over you. The radiographers will explain everything, so just tell you if theres anything worrying you

I had one done although it was a number of years ago. Don't do as I did and wear tight jeans. I had to come home on the bus and my stomach was full of air. Once I got home and had an enormous gassy fart I felt so much better. I certainly don't remember it making me constipated, I think the rather oddly coloured poo arrived quite soon. Best advice is to get someone to drive you there - and who won't mind if you fart all the way home.

Don't remember anything about compressing the abdomen. I suppose it might depend on what they are looking for, what exactly they might do.

Try not to worry too much about it - as I say the worst thing I remember is the gassy feeling.

thank you CMOT, I will will take your advice there. Perhaps I'l try some prune juice too

Thankyou MissAnneElk,
My poor dh will be driving me...will warn him, lol

From what I remember when I had one, a barium swallow involves drinking a chalky/floral tasting liquid on command so they can image it as it goes down to you stomach, looked very cool when I saw it on the monitor! They stood the bed up and I stood on a big ledge at the bottom, hardest part was holding the liquid in my mouth and only swallowing when told too. You can also be asked to take a sherbet like substance swallowed down with a little bit of liquid. This made lots of air in my tummy which I wasn't allowed to burp up! (rather windy bum later ) Then they can see the walls of your stomach clearly. Recommended to drink plenty of fluids and eat oranges or other fibrous stuff to help the barium pass through, not a problem really.

I didn't have any pushing on my stomach, I think this would only be if they were trying to look at the bowel? It should say on the letter you got with your appointment.

ok Lostinwales, thanks for that

depends what they are looking for. I had to swallow difeerent thicknesses of liquid from like a milk to a porridge and it made my poo white

Sorry Kayteee, I only just came back to this. I can't really help with your concerns so I am glad others have answered you. I don't remember any pressure and I was xrayed all over as they were trying to find out if there was anything wrong with any part of my gut - hence the reason all I remember was having to lie on a hard bed for a long time whilst in a huge amount of pain. The poo bit afterwards I really don't remember as I had major surgery shortly afterwards.

Good luck with it. It will be over by this time tomorrow I hope.