Has anyone had the barium swallow? My doctor scheduled an appointment for that but I cancelled it. I do not understand why they want to take a person who is having trouble swallowing, and make them swallow something that even BigFoot couldn't swallow. I hear that it has the consistency of like really thick and heavy mylanta. Just the thought of swallowing something like that makes my anxiety soar through the roof. He diagnosed me with Globus Hystericus but said that he recommended a barium swallow if that would help assure me that nothing is physically wrong with me. I have been debating it lately on a more regular basis. I do smoke and I worry about cancer (obviously) but I'm only 23 on the other hand... I know my chances are slim right now but it is the "what if's" that get me...
Introducing Mood 24/7, a new tool that helps you track your mood from day to day using your mobile phone. Try it today!
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hi
I have had the barium swallow and had fears about going for it.
however, it was the most painless thing ever (and your talking to a hypochondriac !).
Very simply, you STAND in front of an x ray machine, and drink a white liquid.
The liquid looks like and taste like a milkshake. It is not majorly thick at all, it is simply a like drinking milk. And the good thing is, you actually drin it through a straw, just a small amount (a few sips!).
You then take a few sips of a clear liquid , that is very thin- it takes like medication
and lastly oyu drink a fix drink (like water with fizzy tablets in them).
and thats it. the procedure takes 20 mins cause all the doctor will say is 'have a few sips' and swallow, just so he can watch the xray of the liquid entering your body .
and thats it.
i assure you it is painless and non intrusive, nor dangerous.
I went and had a barium swallow today. I've had lots of medical stuff done, i.e eye operations, colonoscopies etc. A barium swallow is nothing at all to worry about. You drink some fizzy stuff, some milkshake (well that's what I'd compare it too) a McDonalds one. Though it does not taste of much, (or at least mine didn't because it wasn't flavoured), it's not at all unpleasant. Then you stand on a little platform on an upright table. The radiologist takes some x-rays while you're standing, then it just tilts back so you are lying like you would be in bed. Then you have to move about a bit, hold your breath a bit, and the table moves about gently while more x-rays are taken. The table then returns to an upright position, you drink a bit more stuff and you might have a little injection in your arm to relax your muscles in your intestine while on the table, and hey-presto, you're done. It's a bit like a day at the funfair!!!! Make it a nice thing, not nasty because you don't need to.
Good luck, hope it all goes well
Karen xx