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IBSa and effects of a barium swallow

Posted , 6 users are following.

libralady13
libralady13

Hello  Anyone out there with IBS had a Barium swallow for any reason.  If so how were you afterwards.  I am due to have one soon to see it I have a haitus hernia.  I also suffer with anxiety and I am petrified not of the test but the after effects.  I am taking omeprazole for reflux at the moment and it has caused constipation so am reducing the dose gradually.  I react with constipation if I have a day's bad diet, ibuprofen,codeine and anitbiotics.

I read that this test can cause constipation stomach pains etc.  I am thinking of cancelling it because knowing me I will suffer for ages afterwards.  I also have arthritis pain to contend with.  I will work mself up before the test as I do for any hospital appoinment and that usually ends up in stomach cramps and constipation.  Can anyone honestly advise.

Thanks.

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Outhwaite
    Outhwaite libralady13

    Posted

    Please don't cancel the test. Try some relaxing techniques such as slow breathing and relaxing etc. I have had something similar because I wouldn't have another Angiogram (I split open during the procedure and ended up in agony and with 5 stents instead of 2.  I was really nervous, but my son came with me and kept me company and giving me a laugh. I suffer from IBS changing between constipation and terrible diarrhea but at the end of the day you need to find out if you have a hernia, so is there anyone who will go with you to give you support? Once you find out one way or another, there may be further help for you. Maybe see your GP and tell him of your concerns and he might prescribe you some short term anxiety relieving meds to get you over this dread. If you don't go, just think that you might lose the opportunity to find out exactly what is wrong and could have been put right..so GO for it....Best of luck, let's know how you get on.

    Regards, Val.

    • libralady13
      libralady13 Outhwaite

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply yes my husband will go with me.  What I really wanted to know if anyone with IBS has had a barium swallow and how did it affect them.  I have a long waited appointment 2 days later for orthopaedics and I don't want to have to cancel it because I am ill with the side effects.  On the barium swallow letter is says you can't change your appoinment without exceptional reason.  It is the side effects I am worried about not the actual procedure.  
    • donclaudio
      donclaudio Outhwaite

      Posted

      A high 5 to your son....

      How are you coping with your IBS

      wow 5 stents??...give me some take on the "split open"....

      I've had an angiogram 100 years ago...refused stent...was fortunate to have garnered some valuable info from Dr. Dean Ornish, and had a lengthy chat with my cardio.before the procedure...he was not the surgeon...both Irish with the accent...excellent physicians.

      I approved the angioplasty...mistake...as of today...77...120/70 and 130/80 no meds...can only do 3 miles every other day otherwise I'm beat for the day.

      Look forward to your info...Claudio

  • nicola80752
    nicola80752 libralady13

    Posted

    If it was me I wouldn't think about the test, I would think about what if it is a hiatus hernia what is the treatment. If u think that if they found it was a hiatus hernia would they want to operate on it? If u think u couldn't go though surgery I don't know what good it is to find out, unless they are also checking there isn't anything else. I think maybe a lot of your problems stem from anxiety. Relaxing techniques could help or homeopathic remedies would help. If the omeprazole isn't working that ask doctor to change it or try herbal remedies.

    • libralady13
      libralady13 nicola80752

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply as I mentioned to Outhwaite it is the side effects I am concerned with not the actual procedure.  I was hoping someone with IBS who has had the barium swallow could tell me how they got on.  As I mentioned in my other reply I have an appoinment with othopaedics two days later and don't want to cancel it because I am ill with stomach cramps and constipation because this app has taken 4 months to get.  I am gradually coming off the omeprazole. Apparently you can't change the barium swallow app unless for an exceptional reason.  I remember a couple of years a go I was having a bad IBS flare up and was having bad cramps and d.  I had another eye hospital appoinment and had to go in pain because the next appointment if I had cancelled was 4 months.  
    • ChipWhitley
      ChipWhitley libralady13

      Posted

      Hello Libralady13

                             I had a barium swallow around 4 years ago and I suffer from ibs with severe constipation and the after effects of the test with me was more constipation as a result of drinking the thick cement like liquid. I don't want to scare you but I will be honest,  I had very hard stools that came out the same color of the cement like solution that I swallowed which caused me minor rectal bleeding from pushing so hard. Although, at the time in 2010 I was not taking any laxatives. I will be going in for another barium swallow soon, as I suspect a hernia with the symptoms I've been having but this time I will take some strong laxatives as soon as the test is done.  If you do this I think you will be fine. I would suggest also that if you are going to eat afterwards eat lightly for the next few days. Things like greens, spinach ,salad etc...or oatmeal, high fiber cereal etc....and you should be fine. Good luck to you. 

    • libralady13
      libralady13

      Posted

      Thankyou Bigdipper and Kim59492 for your replies and your experiences.

      As I mentioned I am due to go to the hospital orthopaedic dept 2 days afterwards to see the consultant.  It is about 30-45 mins drive away.  In view of what you have both said I might think about cancelling it and asking for another referral a bit later on.  I don't want to have to miss the orthopaedic app as I have waited 4 months to get what with cancelled appointment due to being booked under wrong consultant and just the general shortage of appointments.  As I mentioned I am having trouble with constipation at the moment due to the tablets I am taking Omeprazole.  I actually took 1 senacot one night and spent the next day  on the toilet with bloating and stomach cramps so you can see you how I react to changes.  Can I also ask Bigdipper what symptoms have you been having which makes you think you might have a hernia and the planned barium swallow. Thanks.

    • ChipWhitley
      ChipWhitley libralady13

      Posted

      Well I have a general feeling of food or reflux sitting in my chest area...At times I have awaken to stomach acid refluxing into my chest. It causes so much discomfort I force myself to regurgitate the stomach acid. So I assume it is reflux but my main symptom difference is that a lot of this is now going on in my chest which I've never had before. At times it feels like I'm having a heart attack. Lastly I have experienced really bad breath which is something I never experienced before. Quite embarrassing but hey, it's the truth... When I was rushed to the emergency room doc said it's a high probability I could have a hiatal hernia or a sliding hernia. I hope they can find something.
    • libralady13
      libralady13 ChipWhitley

      Posted

      I hope you get your barium swallow soon and that they can help you with your symptoms. As I suffer from anxiety I get a lot of different symptoms and it is hard to know what is anxiety and what it caused by the various conditions I have.  I am taking omeprazole but it is causing constipation so am weaning myself off it.  I take enough medication as it is. My mum had a hiatus hernia in her 50's and I remember her getting indigestion and sometimes being sick.  If I have got one then is has taken to now at 67 to start causing problems.  Thanks again for your advice.
    • ChipWhitley
      ChipWhitley libralady13

      Posted

      I also suffer from anxiety and stress which definitely makes my stomach problems worse but I've noticed that ever since I have had these chest symptoms my anxiety has been at its worst. I sometimes am up for 3-4 days at a time because of the pain and discomfort. I am 33 years old and this has consumed a lot of my life. At this point I'm hoping my docs can assist me in relieving some of the symptoms but I don't have much hope that I will fully recover. A doctor once told me that when your irregular or have pain in your body, you will have raised levels of anxiety and I can definitely agree with that. When I am regular and have no pain, I am not really anxious at all...Anyways, good luck to you, and keep us posted on your progress.
    • libralady13
      libralady13 ChipWhitley

      Posted

      Thank you.  You are very young with your whole life ahead of you and I 

      truly hope will find some relief from your pain.  I agree anxiety and stress make symptoms worse and then more anxiety worrying about what is wrong with you.  It's a vicious circle.  

  • kim59492
    kim59492 libralady13

    Posted

    I've had it done. I have hiatus herniA and IBS I'm not gonna lie to you it wasn't pleasant afterwards. I got diarroreah about 20 mins after having test which lasted three days with some cramping and nausea too. But it's a good test to have. So have it done 
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