Upper GI on Tuesday, what do you think this is personally?

Question

- IBS (Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (sp?)
- Colon Cancer/Polyps
- IBS

I have a feeling this is one of those because I changed my diet slightly. More fruits and veggies, less soda (I'm a Mt. Dew addict, so it was hard). Before I did, I have a sharp stabbing pain, that turned into an on-going (for 1 month now) dull, achy pain in my right and left abdomin. After I changed my diet, it slowly disappeared, but is still there on occassions. When I move for too long or too much, it starts to hurt. It's worse on my period. I've been constipated for awhile, but when I take M.O.M (milk of mag.), I get unconstipated, but it comes back (sometimes in diarrhea form). It tends to hurt under my right rib and worse when I eat foods (every food plus water). I have horrible nausea and never vomitted, but have been on the edge of it. Off and on headaches, weakness and fatigue. I don't think I left anything out. Ultra-Sound, Urine, and X-Ray's were fine. What do you think this is?

No, it's not Celiac Disease. My gluten processing works fine.

Upper GI as in the Barium X-Ray thing.

BTW, someone please share their experiences with an Upper GI. I'm kinda nervous. Do I just drink the barium stuff and stand or lay on a table for a MRI like thing? Will they do an IV?

Answer 1

An upper GI looks at the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. The conditions you are considering would affect lower in the GI tract. Perhaps a small bowel series or lower GI would be more appropriate.

By the way, q127 described the exam very well. You will be moving in different positions, both standing and laying. The radiologist will tell you when to drink, how to move, and when to hold your breath.

Answer 2

No for an upper GI you dont get an IV. All you get is some gas crystals which makes your stomach bloat and then you have to drink the thick barium followed by the thin barium (both thick chalky stuff with little taste). I found the thick barium harder to get down though. The drinking of the barium is under fluorocopy which makes moving images of your esophagus, stomach and beginning of your small intestine (called duodenum). Fluoroscopy uses x-ray to make the moving images. Prior to the exam the x-ray tech will make a so called scout of your abdomen, which is a regular x-ray. Then the radiologist will come in and asks you a bunch of questions about your symptoms. he will also explain the procedure. You have nothing to worry about. The procedure by itself is slightly unpleasant but alltogether very bearable. Good luck!

Answer 3

It's prolly your gallbladder. Go to the doctor because it could require surgery.