Barium Swallow

Hello Everybody, I never take Uper GI and Barium Swalllow before. I was told to not eat or drink anything before to take this test. I am going to take this test this Wednesday morning. heard someone said it taste like chalks?? Any advices will be helpful for me to prepare to take this test. Thanks Kathy K

Hi Kath: I just had to do that for the leak test on Friday (the day after surgery). If it is the same thing, it doesn't taste like chalk at all. It's more like cough syrup but not quite as yummy. It's not good, and it's not bad. It will make you burp. But it won't make you sick. Hope that helps! Tara

Hi kathy. Its not bad. I was suprised that they gave me an injection of gucagon first, though. Then I drank both the chalky stuff and then something fizzy. Neither of which made me sick. The other surprise I got was the work-out. You have to roll from side to side, and over on your stomach and then your back. When I got done the johnnie was around my neck (a friend had it done at Middlesex too and she did not have to wear a johnnie,) so I would ask if you could wear your own clothes. It would be less revealing. Good luck.

I am a former xray tech..(ultrasound now) I have found the barium taste has improved over the years. They will probably let you wear your own clothes...if they had no snaps or zippers..but I would think you would need to take your bra off, so I am not sure how that would work. Its not a big deal..with the right staff, the exam should be a breeze. Good luck to you! Joanie

I just had mine last month. It wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. It was not pleasant though. I won't lie to you. I had to take off my clothes because they had metal on them but if you wore like sweats and a sports bra I don't see why you would have to undress. The first drink has a chalky consistency but doesn't taste like chalk. it was slightly minty. What really grabbed me was how HEAVY it is. The tech handed me the styrofoam cup full and I swear it had to weigh 10 pounds! I held my nose while I drank it and it wasn't SO bad. I was doing okay until they gave me the fizzies and then more barium. I was a little naseauted, especially having to do it while lying on my belly. But the whole test only took about 5 minutes and then it was over and I was one step closer to surgery!! In the long run, it's a small price to pay! Good luck on Wednesday! Eileen

Hey Everybody, Thank you for your honest advices about this... It is surley helped me to prepare for this test tomorrow morning. I will let you know update about this test. Kathy K