Barium Swallow on Monday and B12 Shot Questions

[Jennifer]

So I get to drink barium on Monday and I'm really not looking forward to it. I've done it about 3-4 times before but not since my surgery 11 years ago. I've forgotten the taste of barium but I recall almost vomiting every single time so I know it doesn't taste good. I think I might try to just chug it this time rather than use the straw method because I really want to get this over with and I think the straw can slow the process down (all easier said than done). We'll see, I may change my mind. Dunno if they are going to flavor it either.

*If they have all the flavors for barium, which did you think was most tolerable?

The day before Thanksgiving I'm getting my first B12 shot. At first my GP said my markers weren't low enough but I've always been low ever since my surgery so I've never been deficient in B12 but I do get to experience all the tiredness and probably some other not so fun symptoms like dizziness. My GI asked my GP to reconsider cause the GI doc thinks it'll do me good and he can't administer the shot cause they don't do that sort of thing at their clinic. So my GP said ok.

*What can I expect from the B12 shot (as in what do you feel like after wards)? I'm assuming she'll tell me how long it'll last and I suppose we'll talk about how often I should have one. Where does the shot go? Like in your arm, stomach, butt etc. Anything else I should know but I don't know what to ask? Any questions I should ask my doc when I get this done next week?

 

[glum chump]

I remember drinking my barium with a bit of water REALLY QUICKLY. They were able to do the ultrasound fairly easily, but the x-ray took forever. They had me sipping on the barium and walking the length of the ward to get the barium moving around so they could do the x-ray. I was told that it would take 1.5 hours, but I was there for about 4 hours.

I also had strictures, and that night, I had the most fierce abdominal pain as the barium tried to pass through my body. I was hunched over in pain and couldn't straighten my body out. It took 3 days for the barium to fully pass through my body, and it was the aftermath that was harder to tolerate than the actual barium test.

I get my B12 shots weekly, but my B12 levels are quite low. I get the shot in my thigh and it's relatively quick and painless (they use a fairly small needle). I have no effects whatsoever from the shot (however, if I miss a couple of weeks, I can feel my body sliding into extreme fatigue) and I'm in and out of the doctor's office within a few minutes. I love my B12!

 

[Manimation]

First time I did it I was surprised. It really had no taste, it was just really thick. I think I had strawberry or cherry or something. Everyone's taste buds are different though and I probably fried mine the last 2 decades. I kept the straw too. When I've had to drink the golightly fluid before a colonoscopy I find it helps if I take very small sips but at a fast pace, like to the beat of a song. Makes me keep my timing and forces me to stay on rhythm, no matter how small the sip, I am getting it into me. Bring your ipod!

 

[fateful_one]

I just had my 3rd small bowel follow thru last month...and yes barium is disgusting! I find that chugging it really fast helps is better than just sipping it.

I had the same experience as glum chump. I have a really bad stricture and the barium made me all backed up, I felt horrible for days afterwards. I now know that drinking lots of water after the test will help flush it out faster.

Good luck!

 

[Misty-Eyed]

I've not had a barium follow through for yearsssss. Probably about 12 years ago. But I don't remember drinking it to be too bad. Just like a thick and slightly less tasting milk shake. I would take it over prep ANY DAY. I think I choose strawberry.

I have vit. B12 injections every 3 months. The stuff I have is actually red in colour and it really hurts when they inject it but after that it wears off quickly.

 

[Jennifer]

Is B12 always injected into your thigh or can you have it somewhere else?

 

[Misty-Eyed]

No.. I always had mine in my arm. Like with the flu shot.

 

[Jennifer]

Oh good! That's where I'd prefer it.

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Me too! Unless I dress stupidly and end up having to take my top off just so the nurse can reach my arm lol.

 

[DustyKat]

Roo always has her B12 in her arm and that's normally where I give them unless someone is super duper skinny!

Dusty.

 

[kslade]

So I get to drink barium on Monday and I'm really not looking forward to it. I've done it about 3-4 times before but not since my surgery 11 years ago. I've forgotten the taste of barium but I recall almost vomiting every single time so I know it doesn't taste good. I think I might try to just chug it this time rather than use the straw method because I really want to get this over with and I think the straw can slow the process down (all easier said than done). We'll see, I may change my mind. Dunno if they are going to flavor it either.

I've had to get this done as well. I will give you a heads up though, my boyfriend had this same test done and he chugged the barium like you just said, and he was told that he needs to drink it slower and was given another class to drink. So I would advice you not to drink it *too* fast.

With my experience, the barium took forever to travel to where they needed it to go. They had me walking the ward for hours when they finally said "this is good enough" and had me take the test. This is one of the the tests that diagnosed my Crohn's. (Along with a colonoscopy a few days later). Hope all goes well, and good luck!

EDIT: The barium tasted horrible and I didn't have a choice of flavour.

 

[Jennjenn]

I just had the Barium this past Monday....When the tech handed me the drink he stood with me and said do not look down and just look at me while drinking. It was awkward!! Then after the second cup he said fixate on something and do not look down because then you tell yourself its nasty and you will not drink it. I was there for hours also. I got there at 9:30 and was out at almost 4. Every time the radiologist pushed down on the areas where I had my surgeries he said the area was not filling up to please drink more. I was in pain because I am having a lot of difficulty lately. It did show the inflamation and a few other problems that I am having.
The B12 shot I get is in the arm but I get it through a quick IV....I also get at the same time my iron infusions.

I have my colonoscopy and endoscopy on Monday with the specialist who seems to give me hope for the right new treatment plan for me ( since the last one stopped working and I feel myself going downhill fast) , and I am not looking forward to the prep tomorrow.

Good luck with the test!

 

[fadingsun430]

I had a MRI of the lower abdomen done a few weeks back and had to drink some barium. For my test i had to drink banana flavor and didnt really have a choice in flavor. Had to drink it at the place 1 450ml bottle every 45 minutes, total of 3. During the test i was a bit nauseous but ok. But afterward that night i was in a lot of pain as the barium passed through my narrowed area. Luckily it all came out that night anyway. Unless you have a stricture or narrowed segment i dont think you should have a problem with it. Good luck

 

[Jennifer]

So... since when did barium become easy to drink? That's right, barium is different now. It was flavored with I dunno what (kinda citrusy) and didn't taste bad at all. I could chug it no problem and the consistency was like a more fluidy yogurt. Best of all, it came in a little jug (like a tiny milk jug) which was about a cup and half to two cups worth of barium and the tech guy was super cool and didn't force me to drink it all because he said for my frame, I don't even need that much.

Had to walk the halls for a couple hours but then it was all over. Took me less than 10 min to brink the barium. The new and improved barium. You guys should ask about this stuff for your next small bowel series. That test was CAKE! And remember, I've had the old barium (chalky, makes you want to throw up) 3 times before so I know the test blows but not anymore!

I'll post my results when I get the news, radiologist was busy and was the only one there.

 

[ThanksP]

I had a MRE with barium and contrast yesterday. Crabby, you are right, the Barium has changed. It was a citrusy, non chalky white substance. It wasn't great but NOTHING compared to the old banana flavored stuff. I can't eat ANYTHING banana flavored anymore thanks to that junk. The only problem I had during the test was the barium had a colonoscopy prep effect on me. Thankfully they put a shot of something in my IV to slow down my bowels until I could get home. I never had that problem with Barium before. But at least I didn't throw it up before they could get some shots of my insides.

Off topic but...I was shocked to find out a MRE (Magnetic resonance enterography) was more than $7,000!

 

[Jennifer]

They told me to drink lots of water because it would most likely make me constipated. I had to go to the bathroom right after I finished getting dressed (the draw strings on my shorts had metal on them, DOH!) and many times after. Worked more like a laxative for me.

 

[Lisa]

As far as B12 shots....I get mine in my upper arm - doesn't bother me much, although I have noticed that I usually bruise up pretty good after.....

Haven't had a barium test in forever.....last one was when I had the fistulas and I sure didn't drink the stuff!

 

[kslade]

I had a MRI of the lower abdomen done a few weeks back and had to drink some barium. For my test i had to drink banana flavor and didnt really have a choice in flavor. Had to drink it at the place 1 450ml bottle every 45 minutes, total of 3. During the test i was a bit nauseous but ok. But afterward that night i was in a lot of pain as the barium passed through my narrowed area. Luckily it all came out that night anyway. Unless you have a stricture or narrowed segment i dont think you should have a problem with it. Good luck

You have to drink that barium stuff with an MRI of the abdomen as well? I have one of those coming up. I asked my GI what it was, and she never mentioned anything about drinking anything!

 

[fadingsun430]

You have to drink that barium stuff with an MRI of the abdomen as well? I have one of those coming up. I asked my GI what it was, and she never mentioned anything about drinking anything!

I'm not positive that it is required for every test, but the barium highlights the insides so the pictures come out better. So you might need to have it, but not necessarily.

 

[Dras]

I had my first vit b12 and b-complex shots this morning. Got myself in the butt. Was really not bad at all. Burned a little bit but that faded soon after.

 

[Jennifer]

I had the shot put in my arm and I didn't feel it at all. I'm also not noticing any "pep" that many people have mentioned. I feel as tired as ever. But then again, since I started taking 6MP again, I've been getting sick often.

The GP told me that they would give me a B12 injection once a month from now on and retest my levels to see if I need it more often.

 

[Jessica]

I just drank barium this morning. I started at 9am, was out by 11am. Not sure if that's good or not since it's halfway between their times (said it could take between 45mins - 5 hrs). Tasted disgusting. 2nd time I've done it, but it tasted worse than the first time. I didn't get a choice in flavors.

I did find out that my cecum is practically making out with my hooha. Go figure. And good luck! <3

 

[Jessica]

Oh, and it seems to have sped up my Crohn's. But who knows since I've been steadily getting worse lately (hence the barium today). Just remembered how shitty I felt, and wanted to make sure you didn't forget about that either.

 

[Jennifer]

You must not have gotten a chance to use the new barium. Its easier to drink and doesn't taste as awful. My test was pretty easy but was left with diarrhea for the rest of the day and the day after (but what else is new?).