Off Topic-But has anyone had a Barium Swallow test ?

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hello Ladies :)

I know it's off topic but I trust you ladies. I was wondering if anyone has done a Barium swallow test? I'm having a modified test (just looking at the esophogus down to the top of the stomach). I have an enlarged thyroid, no nodules, but I'm choking on food and drink. Anyway, I'm looking for anyone hints on what to expect.

Thanks so much!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    my son had to have one when he was little (7). the nurses couldn't believe he just drank the contrast liquid right down without any problem!  I think he really liked it! It was very quick and painless.

    Anne 

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited November 2011

    My son and husband both had the test. The radiologist who did the test on my son said he was okay and he wasn't according to the gastroenterolgist who did an endoscopy on him. A second radiologist repeated the test and confirmed my son's problem. Make sure the radiologist is well recommended. It has been 6 years and I am still pissed at that first radiologist... And so is the gastro!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2011

    I had one in the late 80's. They were checking to see if there was something caught in my throat. It was just a really bad ulcer from a medication I was taking at that time.

    It was unpleasant for me because swallowing was difficult but not to bad. 

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  • 3katz
    3katz Member Posts: 1,264
    edited November 2011

    Yes . . . I had one about 9 years ago. Had a paralyzed vocal chord which was causing me to choke on food & drink. It was caused by a virus. I ate/drink barium laced food/liquids - not very tasty. But it was very cool to watch - they had the screen facing me. The test confirmed the paralyzed chord. It wasn't a difficult test at all.

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited November 2011

    He had a schatzki ring and eosinophilIc esophagitis with multiple rings. A mess. Thankfully he is doing well now.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2011

    I had one in the mid 90's to see if there was an issue with the GE junction.  I drank the liquid while still in the upright position.  When they tilted the table back it all came back up in my mouth, which confirmed their suspicion that muscular valve that closes the stomach had malfunctioned.  I had a laproscopic Nissen surgery about a year later.  Now I can't vomit because the stomach is essentially permanently closed.  This was handy during chemo, I knew I would not throw up!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Wow, lots of responses! I knew you guys would make me feel much more comfortable with it! Smile

    voracious reader- your poor son! I'm glad he's doing better now but that must have been a long difficult road. Thanks for the tip regarding the radiologists reputation.

    awb- kids are the funniest things. They always seem to do and handle the unexpected!

    lago- no ulcer for me but thanks for letting me know it's not that bad.

    3katz- they are thinking my thyroid enlargement might be caused by a virus too. They want to check to make sure the enlargement is what is causing my choking, and not something else. I guess viruses can cause the weirdest symptoms. I never knew they could cause a paralyzed vocal cord! How long did it last? Did it eventually go away with no lasting problems? I hope I get to see the test on screen- that would be neato!

    SpecialK-I have to say- that sounds nasty to get all the liquid back up! What an awful thing. I hate hate hate throwing up so I can see how convenient that must have been during chemo Wink

    Thanks again ladies- you're the best!!

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited November 2011

    i did one last year. I was also choking on food and drink. It was reflux with some spasms and with medication I am fine. The stuff you have to drink is kind of bad tasting but I found the test to be pretty easy. I could also see it on the screen. When I have to drink bad tasting stuff I put my tongue on the outside of the cup and drink and the stuff does not hit my tastebuds. wierd but very effective. good luck!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Ginger- that is a great tip- I am so going to use it!  And thank you for the good luck wish...

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  • 3katz
    3katz Member Posts: 1,264
    edited November 2011

    Virus induced problems can really vary - the same virus caused a frozen shoulder, believe it or not. The paralyzed vocal chord & shoulder problem happened at the same time when I had a nasty bout of viral pneumonia. Anway . . . the paralyzed vocal chord did eventually move into a closed position but I'll occasionally choke when swallowing. It took about 6 months to heal to that point - had laryngitis the entire time, which my DH didn't mind too much - LOL!! PET scans pick up the vocal chord to this day.

    Good luck with your test.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Well, I made it through the test. Not too bad, although the sweet fake strawberry flavoring left a lot to be desired. They had me use a straw during most of it but when it was just the cup I used Ginger's tip, which really helped! It felt like a drank a gallon of the stuff. They also had me swallow a marshmallow ( to imitate bread which I choke on) without chewing. Tricky to do but I managed it. It became totally stuck halfway down and was uncomfortable! The weird thing was that I felt like it was stuck at my adam's apple when in reality it was below my collarbone. They had me do some of it standing up in different positions and then also pretzeled into different positions laying on a table.

    The worst part of the test came afterwards. They told me all about how some people get constipated after the test and to drink lots of water. Well, I had the totally opposite reaction. Ugh! I was sooo sick the rest of that day and the next. Yucky, yucky!

    3katz- the viruses are weird and the doctor keeps mentioning that as an option. The only hesitation I have is that I wasn't sick at all before this started. I hadn't even had a run of the mill cold for 3 months before. *shrug* Maybe this is the only symptom of whatever virus I got. I laughed at your comment about how your DH felt about the laryngitis- you must be a talker like me Tongue out I was complaining to my hubby one day about how talkative our 3 kids are...I try hard not to do the "uh, huh..' thing to them and actually pay attention and answer them. Anyway, I was complaining that all they do is talk and there was this silence from him. I look at him and asked what he was thinking. He says "I wonder where they get that from?!?" Ha, ha!! I had to laugh!

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited November 2011

    GreenSeaTurtle- glad you made it through and that the tip worked a bit for you.I have had it come in handy in the past year when I have to drink something that tastes bad.

    How long will you have to wait for results?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Hi Ginger! I'm going to call the doctor today and see if they have the results. I hope they do...

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited November 2011

    Good luck- hope you don't have to wait too long!

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