Barium meal & FT

[Grumbletum]

Having had my surgical consult last Thursday, I've got an appointment this Wednesday to have the barium to find out what's causing the thickening in my bowel.
My question is about the stuff you have to drink. Is it likely to pass through quick i.e. you get D or does it make you constipated? I've heard and read mixed reports.
I have to fly to another island to get the test. It's at 10 in the morning and then my flight back is 3 in the afternoon. Just wondering if it's better to hang round the hospital for a bit afterwards near the toilet!!! Looking forward to doing a bit of shopping as we've got hardly any shops here, but not if I'm likely to get caught short. It's a tiny plane too ( 20 seater ) and a short journey which could be interesting!

 

[Jennjenn]

Good luck with the test.

I was told when I had mine that it causes constipation. I laughed with the guy there and said it can only help. It did not cause that for me. I still had my running in and out of the bathroom. Just a word of advice for the drinking if you are not good at drinking the "test" drinks. Do not look at it while drinking it!!
Staying around a bit after is up to you. See how you feel during and after.

 

[Mark63]

Hi,

I've had this done a couple of times. They may give you a drug to speed-up the gut. If they want to see the swollow and stomach, then they may give you some crystals to swollow that make gas to blow things up a bit. The liquid was pretty tasteless, but I know that flavoured versions exist. Not had any problem with D immediately after, but did have slight constipation. Depending on how fast/slow your gut is, you could be on and off the table for several hours. It can be a little uncomfortable when they try and seperate out the loops of the gut with a plastic padle that they run over the gut. The worst thing is getting the Barium to flush away afterwards as it seems to set like concrete.

Best of luck.

Mark

 

[vickyhunter]

It's pretty gross to drink and tastes like chalk! But it didn't give me constipation, or if it did it wasn't bad enough to notice!
Hope things go well with it
xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Grumbletum]

Thanks folks I don't have a big problem with D and I've been avoiding the two or three things that do seem to trigger it, so I think getting the barium down will be my biggest hurdle. Got to be done though.

 

[Mizz Lozy]

Hi Grumbletum
Iv had plenty of Barium meals and my experience with it was good. You just got to suck it up and take it like a champ, it will be thick and hard to swallow but u just got to think of it as an overdosed thickshake Lol. Just drink plenty of water after it and keep close to a toilet and be prepared for white stools lol.
Goodluck
- Lauren

 

[StarGirrrrl]

And lots and lots of flushing and scrubbing the toilet to shift the barium after- for me this was the biggest issue lol!

 

[Grumbletum]

Lol, as long as it doesn't turn to cement in my innards....

 

[StarGirrrrl]

They'll advise you at the Hospital to drink lots and lots of water for a few days, don't worry, it will take a few days to come out and you will wonder if it will ever finish coming out- but it will!
If all else fails a mild laxative will shift it.

 

[Grumbletum]

Well it wasn't too bad, if a little like a bushtucker trial getting the drink down. Radiographer (?) says the narrowing looks like it's from inflammation so likely Crohns. Felt a bit teary afterwards but also glad to be getting nearer diagnosis and getting sorted.
Thank you for your support, folks.
Helen xxx

 

[Grumbletum]

Hello folks. In your experience, how long does it take to get the test results? Phoned the surgery yesteday but they are not back yet. Sorry to be impatient, but my symptoms seem to be worsening. I'm not on any meds and am trying to do what I can with diet, but the pain which has been mainly in my LQR and pelvic area seems to be spreading to the left as well now and feels different. Not sure how to explain, but like things are kind of 'raw' in there.

 

[Terriernut]

Grumbletum, I'm due for my Barium next week. The letter said test results could take 10 days. If you are suffering more you need to ring your GI and let them know ASAP so they can get the results quicker and help you out! Dont wait. (now its Sat...not helpful...but ring Monday morning!)
Misty

 

[Mark63]

Get whoever ordered the test to give them a chase, enough time has passed. The last time I had this done I got the results before I was dressed. I showed some interest and knowledge during the test and the Consultant Radiographer talked me trough the films straight after the procedure.

Mark

 

[Jennifer]

It's an x-ray so the results are almost instant as the radiologist just needs to look at it and hand/fax their report to the doctor who ordered it. Sounds like someone's slowing the process down for no good reason. Call you doctor and let them know how you're feeling and you can also call the hospital and ask if your test has been looked at and sent to your doctor yet.

 

[Grumbletum]

Thanks, good people. I'll call again on Monday. Misty hope the test goes OK.
Helen xxx

 

[Grumbletum]

Managed to get through to the surgery today and they say they have a copy of a letter which has gone from the hospital in Stornoway to a Dr Archer who I've been referred to. When I asked his speciality they said he's a 'general physician.'
So I've to wait now for a letter with an appointment to see him or her when they next come over to the island. The wheels of diagnosis do indeed turn slowly - and even slower here in the Highlands!

 

[Lee]

Wishing you a good recovery.

Since you have to fast for a Barium swallow--I was so hungry that I didn't think it tasted all that bad.

Everyone is different. It took about 1 hour and 20 mins for the Barium to flow through me. I had an upper GI w/small bowel study done a bit ago.

The Barium constipates you so make sure you drink lots of H2O after to flush it out of your system.

 

[Terriernut]

Got my results while I was still on the table with the radiologist. All good for me, thankfully.

Think they must like to make you wait sometimes??

Misty

 

[Keona]

Hang in Helen

 

[Runninglady]

Hi, hopefully it won't be to long know!!!! It just seems very annoying that some doc has the result but not you!!!!!

It took about 5 hrs for the Barium to flow through my little girl-not a happy bunny!!! We had the results the following day with the GI.

Keep us updated.