Barium Swallow

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...