Barium Swallow?

Question

I have to get one on thursday and whats it like how long will it take and do you get to were your own clothes when do you know the results and the reson that iam getting one is because i puke up things that i eat and and drink its not an ED but since i have to drink that stuff should i tell them that i might puke or just let it t happen and maybe i can aks to see if they have anything like the stuff you have to drink in an I.V do they even have anything in an I.V like that? i hope it makes sence.

Answer 1

I just want to correct the person who said it takes 1-2 hours. It only takes a few minutes. You should wear a gown so there are no buttons, zippers, bra, etc in the way; also you might spill some barium. I give these tests to people. I'm sure it varies from place to place, but basically, I start by giving some crystals that put air into your esophagus and stomach, making them expand. Swallow it in one gulp like a shot as fast as possible. If you hold it in your mouth, you probably won't be able to get it down. This will make you want to burp, but try to swallow the air down as much as possible until the test is over. I then give the patient a cup of thick barium. The radiologist will tell you when to drink, how to move, and when to hold your breath. The table is laid down, and I then give a cup of thinner barium that the patient drinks through a straw. Although many patients tell me they feel like throwing up, it almost never happens - just ask them to keep the garbage can or an emesis basin nearby. And like others have said, you cannot have this test with an IV - it doesn't work like that, unfortunately. I can't tell you when you will get the results, but in my facility, the radiologist dictates a report that day, and it goes to the ordering physician. When he or she gets it to you is unknown. Also, do not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to your test. For a few days afterward, drink plenty of water as the barium has a tendency to dry in the colon, causing constipation.

Answer 2

I think you're talking about an upper GI. It doesn't take more than an hour, you cannot wear your own clothes because they're going to take x-rays of you while the barium is going down your throat and stomach. The barium will stand out in the x-rays and give your dr. a good look at your throat, esophagus, etc.

Yes, you should warn them that you toss your cookies quite easily, so they can have a vomit bag nearby.

You cannot have it in an IV because they don't want to see where barium goes through your blood system, they want to watch it travel through your stomach so they can see if anything's unusual.

It's a really easy test, I've done it before. The hardest part was that barium is kinda chalky, but I'm sure they've made better flavored liquid by now. Don't worry, nothing hurts, over in a flash.

TX Mom
been there

Answer 3

You are having a upper GI radiography with a barium swalow.

What's it like? You will drink a thick chalky-tasting substance while a technician takes x-rays.

How long does it take? 1-2 hours.

Do you get to wear your own clothes? You will be given a gown, as your own clothes may contain metal that will show up on x-rays.

When do you know the results? This depends on the physician who ordered it. Perhaps immediately, perhaps later in the day, perhaps the next day.

Can you get barium in an IV? No. You can get it in an enema, though, for a lower GI series. Be glad you aren't having THAT one done.

Read about your test at http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=uppergi&bhcp=1, http://www.medicinenet.com/upper_gi_series/article.htm, or http://www.emedicinehealth.com/barium_swallow/article_em.htm.

If you hold your nose while drinking the barium, you may be less likely to puke it up. I have had a barium swallow, and I was able to chug the barium down by holding my nose the entire time.

Answer 4

You are talking about a "barium milkshake". This milk-like liquid is opaque to X-rays and will allow the doctor & radiologist to see the outline of your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. (The "barium enema" is for the large intestine.) Just tell them ahead of time that you have a tendency to vomit, and they'll have a barf pan available for you. The stuff now has some flavoring put in it, but it's still not that pleasant to drink. Just put up with it, because it's a very useful technique and will help you in the end. It cannot be done with an IV, obviously.