Barium X-ray

[bigemet]

Hey guyz, I'm having an upper GI series next week. I'll be drinking barium. Never had it b4,is it possible for it to cause throwing up?

[phobos]

Only if you burp. They tell you to drink it, and not burp, because if you do--it'll bring the barium up. Hold your breath and it'll be fine[img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

[6pksummer]

I had to have that done...it doesn't taste the greatest, but its not nasty. I hated it..I cried...cause it is so hard to drink something you don't want to. They made me throw these little salts down the back of my throat which makes your intestines open up more...makes you want to burp, but your not suppose to...i did a few times, didnt feel the urge to v* AT ALL!!! Just dont burp...they want to be able to see really well in there! Good luck!

[bigemet]

Sounds pretty uncomfortable...how long does an xray usually take?[img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img]

[6pksummer]

30-45 mins...its really not that bad....much better than when they check your lower stuff...the tube up the rear!

[bigemet]

How much barium are you supposed to swallow?[img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img]

[jodi054]

i had to drink 2 small cup fulls ...wasnt that bad at all compared to having some other stuff i had done

[Girlygirl1980s]

When I had my upper GI, I told them I hated the taste of the barium and it was impossible for me to drink. (I lied. I just was afraid to drink it!) I only ended up drinking about 1/4 of what they wanted me to, but they said that was enough. They were still able to perform the test and see what they needed to. That was years ago, so the taste is probably improved since then. They did tell me to drink lots of water after the test so I wouldn't get constipated.

[kate1966]

Well I am going to be very honest with you on this one......i had it done a few months ago and I hated every minute of it.....but then I am not good with drinking real thick liquid either. It was nasty white chalky and it did make me gag....but i did not v at all.....it was just hard for me to do. And you have to end up lying down and that makes it feel like you want to get rid of it but i made it through it just fine, and you will to. The only reason i had to do it, was b/c they tried to do the endoscope on me and i fought the doctor and they could not get the scope down my throat. So, I also had the colonscopy done, and i have to say the test itself was better than the barium swallow....but that's just me. You could diff. The prep for the colonscopy was worse than the barium swallow though. I think you will be fine, and like 6pksummer said, it really just makes you feel like burping, not v.......let us know how you do....you will be fine[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[bigemet]

Thanks guyz![img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[lgood22573]

yep- I had it too. Nasty stuff- but if none of us v* from it, you won't
either. I really felt like I needed to burp, but they tell you not to- the air
opens your stomach up for the x rays or something. I had to drink 2
things. One that tasted like stomach acid (this was the stuff that makes
you feel like you have to burp) and the other following it was the barium.
I didn't think the barium was that bad. I thought the stomach acid tasting
stuff was worse.

[one who squeaks]

I had to drink about 900mL back in the day. I didn't feel nauseated,
but I felt pretty gross. It's more the texture/temperature of the drink
than the taste. Chewing on ice in between swallows should help. :} Good
luck.