Hi Everyone!

I had a barium swallow last Thursday because for as long as I can remember, I always get food caught in my middle part of my chest, and always have to have a drink with me always to help it get down, or I get hiccups. Weird, I know. I was on my way to see the rheumy and was having a donut and ice coffee and thought, I should probably bring this up to him. So I did, and had the Barium swallow last week. I had been scheduled for a Barium Enema a few weeks ago, but missed the appt., due to not feeling well. So after the swallow, they said I needed to follow up with the enema. Fine, so I just went through hell (please excuse my language) doing the 48 hour prep test and taking my meds without food, etc. The appt., was scheduled for this morning. After ridding myself of everything, they did an x-ray and said they could not do the test because there was barium still in my body, and stuck in my colon........WHAT??? I don't understand this. I'm waiting on my primary care, and rheumatologist to call back. So I finally got to eat, and it went right through me. This morning before I left, I swear I was going to faint, my heart was racing rediculously, and I was all shaky. Anyone know what this may be about? I looked up barium swallow, and everything I read was not so good if the barium is in your system for a while. It's been a week, it should be gone!??! Thanks, ~ Kim:confused:

Hi Kim,
I'm sorry you went through all that for nothing. I think it's a lot for a patient to go through & not even be able to have the test done.
Your barium swallow is also referred to as an esophagram in a Radiology Dept. A person usually drinks thick & thin barium for this exam where I work. There are several times that we have patients go home because they still have barium in their systems. I feel so bad for them every time it happens. Everyone's body works different. Eating food is quite a bit different than consuming barium. What did you eat after the test? After your swallow did a technologist tell you to drink a lot of fluids (primarily water) in the next 3-4 days? After you drank the barium, at any time did it cause you constipation? Do you normally consume an adequate amount of fluids routinely? Most people do not have a problem with this test, but on the other hand a few do like you. That is why we ALWAYS tell all patients to drink a lot.

I know it's hard, but please try not to worry. It's highly possible you have nothing to worry about.

Hi, thanks for responding to me. Yes, they told me to drink a lot of fluids after the swallow. I did drink the two barium drinks, and I also took a pill, and I also took something that was like alka-seltzer that KILLED me in my stomach, the pain was horrible. I drink water like it's going out of style, and it's funny because the 48 hour prep for the barium enema, I drank more. I was completely cleaned out, or so I thought. After the barium swallow, I headed for Dunkin and had a blueberry donut and ice coffee, and then the usual lunch, dinner, and snacks, and LOTS of water. I LOVE WATER...lol:D lol......and yes, I was constipated for 1 day after the barium swallow. Then for the next 4-6 days, when I went it was white like the technologist told me. I called my Primary Care doc, and they prescribed Metoclorpram (reflican or something like that is the name brand) and they told me to take it 4x a day and that it is not a laxative, but something to help "shake up or move" my intestins around to try and losen the barium. I ate after they told me they could not do the barium enema, had a coffee cake and ice coffee (was dying for caffeine, especially with the not eating, I get major migraines that I suffered through forever it seemed while prepping). Then it went right through me. I nearly passed out, or blacked out while in the shower the morning of the enema. By the time I got there, I was thankful it would be over soon. They scheduled me with a gastroenterologist that I wouldn't even see until October! I called my rheumy, and the swallow only showed a very small reflux, and my blood work came back with a little anemia, nothing new for me, it happens occasionally, and that my DNA (something) stayed the same in the 400 range. He told me it "should" normally be in the 100 range, but my urinalysis always come back completely fine which is good. I saw my Neurologist this morning and she took me off the Verapamil because that was causing more constipation on top of my other meds. She prescribed Neurontin, which I've heard of, and am looking forward to trying out. However, the pharmacy (I have medicaid) said that they need a physician referral, and now I have to wait until Monday for that one. But her nurse knew a better Gastro doc that she got me an appointment to see this month, Thank God! I ate a turky sandwich last night for dinner and that didn't go right through me so fast, but I was very uncomfortable last night in my stomach and abdomen. This morning before leaving for the neurologist, I had a few sips of coffee and it was like I was still going through the prep. Pure liquid! (Sorry to be so graphic), but now white. So many confusing things going on. I'm just worried about the pain I might experience with this drug to move my intestines around. I was told to drink plenty of fluids, eat vegetables and fruit, which is fine, I do anyway. I have a healthy diet. But what happens if it's hardened already? That's what worries me the most. But my nurse this morning suggested other options, like a colonoscopy, which thankfully I'll be knocked out for. I can't handle too much pain, it makes me sick to my stomach. So in a week I will have another x-ray to see if it's gone. I really hope so! Okay, I just wrote a book and I want to thank you for responding to me!

Hello,
The Pill you took was a barium pill, as it can be seen fluoroscopically as your swallowing it. This just tells them if it goes down ok, gets stuck, or refluxes up.
I was just wondering if you knew what to expect with having a Barium Enema (BE)? Hope your Follow up x-ray will be optimum to finish your test.

Yes, you are definately one of those few people who does not deal well with Barium. Since this was such a problem for your colon, a colonoscopy is the next logical test to do.

wish I could be of more help
take Care

Hello,
The Pill you took was a barium pill, as it can be seen fluoroscopically as your swallowing it. This just tells them if it goes down ok, gets stuck, or refluxes up.
I was just wondering if you knew what to expect with having a Barium Enema (BE)? Hope your Follow up x-ray will be optimum to finish your test.

Yes, you are definately one of those few people who does not deal well with Barium. Since this was such a problem for your colon, a colonoscopy is the next logical test to do.

wish I could be of more help
take Care


I had an x-ray today, and the tech said she thinks the barium is gone. I'm going to call my rheumy tomorrow to find out. I also had to have a chest x-ray. Last Sat., I had a tickle in my chest, coughing a little bit. The next day was a little worse. I finally went to the Primary care on Tues, because it was so bad, and my chest was killing me. I couldn't tell the difference of pericarditis or something else. The doc heard something on my right lower lobe, prescribed AZITHROMICIN that I started on Tues. and today I was told that I have pneumonia. Slight, but need to be monitored. The heat here was terrible for a couple days and it was very hard to breathe. So I have 4 pills left. I have to have a follow up x-ray in about 4-6 weeks. I don't understand how the heck I got this! I've never had it before. So now I'm dealing with the barium thing (which I will have a colonoscopy next time) and now pneumonia?? This is just terrible. I'm nervous about it. :confused: Weird thing is also that my parents are coming up to visit me (Boston) from Florida. They haven't been back here since they moved 12 yrs ago. My father called my boyfriend the other day, before I had this pneumonia, and told my boyfriend not to say anything, but that he felt he needed to be here, something was telling him to come up. Of course obviously my boyfriend told me. My father, brother and I have this weird premonition thing about different things. Always have, even growing up. Very weird and complicated to explain. I wonder if he knew something was going to happen or something. Anyway, thanks for the responses. I love this board!