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Barium Swallow?

Posted , 18 users are following.

AmandaFA
AmandaFA

Has anyone ever had a Barium Swallow xray test done?

 

4 likes, 45 replies

45 Replies

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  • moonbuggy
    moonbuggy AmandaFA

    Posted

    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

  • Sdfuk
    Sdfuk AmandaFA

    Posted

    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

  • Ricardo007
    Ricardo007 AmandaFA

    Posted

    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.

    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA Ricardo007

      Posted

      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.

       

  • mattheas
    mattheas AmandaFA

    Posted

    Yes, it was pretty terrible and I didn't get any useful infrormation out of it. 
    • mattheas
      mattheas derek76

      Posted

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

      Posted

      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!

       

  • derek76
    derek76 AmandaFA

    Posted

    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:-)

     

    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA derek76

      Posted

      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! 

       

    • derek76
      derek76 AmandaFA

      Posted

      Personally I would go for the non invasive test first.
  • sallyally7
    sallyally7 AmandaFA

    Posted

    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! 
    • derek76
      derek76 sallyally7

      Posted

      At the moment we don't know why Amanda is having the procedure.
    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA sallyally7

      Posted

      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!

       

    • Ricardo007
      Ricardo007 AmandaFA

      Posted

      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.
    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA Ricardo007

      Posted

      Hi,

      I have had over two months on acid reducers.  I was on Omeprazole for over a month and now I am on Lansoprazole which has been a bout 6 weeks now so this is why they want to test me as I shouldn't be having these problems whilst on the medication that is right for reflux.  I am on liquids only at the moment so I can't say that I am eating anything that is going to make it worse?

       

    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA derek76

      Posted

      I have got a lump feeling in my throat and having acid reflux problems.  That is why I am being tested.

      Thanks for your help.

       

    • Ricardo007
      Ricardo007 AmandaFA

      Posted

      Amanda, it's a vicious cycle because acid reducers also block enzyme production, which your body needs to help break down food. Also acid in your stomach kills bacteria so removing it can cause bacterial buildup. But they will test that if they do a biopsy of your stomach. So what have you been living on for the past two months in way of food?
    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA Ricardo007

      Posted

      Hi,

      I did manage soft foods at the end of December.  But since then I am on water, oxo, and meal replacement milkshakes and the odd boiled sweet!

    • h_g
      h_g AmandaFA

      Posted

      Hi there you have just described me lumpy feeling in throat, it was like I had swollowed a seed, when I swallow it goes down and then comes back to the same place was driving me nuts and scared the hell out of me, Due to this I got really bad sinus infections too, if not treated it will cause it, I also had throat clearing, hoarsness that comes ad goes not at the beginning though, mucas in throat, plese read up on silent reflux, I had no burning sensations what so ever, however later on I started to get pains in chest that went to the back as well as pains on right shoulder blade and took dual action gaviscon which also helps had barium swallow and gastroscopy done nothing showed up was put on Nexium 40 mg, and well it helped you have to take it foralmost a week before you find it helping though. get yourself sedated for endocscopy Good luck
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