Help...I have my Upper GI in the morning!!!

Ugghhh I am freakishly scared. I am not sure really even why? I have a huge issue drinking nasty things (protein drinks are rough). I am really afraid I will not be able to keep the barium down. Anyone know any tips or tricks? Any help appreciated. Also I am hoping to go do my EKG afterwards, that shouldn't be a problem right??? Thank you all for your support. This board and the people here have truly made a difference in my life. I know I have made the best decision for me and I am thrilled that this board is here for support. Thank you everyone!!!

Tami

I had an upper GI two weeks ago, and an endoscopy last Friday.  Both were a breeze.  They will give you a fizzy alka-seltzer like sip to take that puts some gas in your stomach, just to make it easier to visualize.  Then you'll be given barium to sip from a cup.  It's kind of yucky, but much better than what I had to drink back in the 80's.  They've really come a long way.  It's all over in about 5 minutes.

When you get home, be sure to drink PLENTY of water to flush that barium through you.  It can really set up if you don't.

It is really nothing to worry about.

Thank you Robert for your insight. Thank you for the plenty of water advice. The thought of that crud setting up inside is not pleasant! Thanks again
Tami

I know someone who didn't heed their warnings about the water, and had to have an impaction removed.  You don't want that.

Now, since I helped you, convince me to go have that colonoscopy done that I need. :-)

Now, now! I was a good girl and did the Upper GI, although it did include vomiting, I did do it. So you go be a good boy and get your colonoscopy done. Tomorrow I have a mammogram. I have come to the conclusion that I must have angered the hospital staff at some point. I mean come on....and Upper GI one day and a Mammogram the next. I am not thrilled but at 33 they found a couple of small lumps in my breast at my annual female exam on Friday so now I get to have my boob squished. I really think they don't like me. So if I have to do both you can do one. Come on say you'll go do it!!!

Tami

Hello!
I had my upper GI, echo and presantine stress test on the same day.  It was two days before Christmas, 6 feet of new snow, and no one showed up for their tests except me!  The hospital staff were more than happy to preform all the tests that day.

I can't say the upper GI was a pleasure...  The stuff they made me drink tasted and had the texture of "Modpodge" (or white glue).  They had me take some fizzy crystals first--which they had me wash down with about 10cc's of water.  It made me burp (which they told me to try and avoid doing.)  Then it was "drink, drink, drink" the thick stuff.  Finally I was given a more liquidy glue and it was over.  Believe me, if I did it, you can too.  I think not knowing exactly what to expect is the hardest.  When they have you drink the thick stuff, just sip and swallow, sip and swallow.  I didn't take huge mouthfuls and everything showed up fine.

The echo and stress test was nothing.  You'll do fine.  A full day--but you'll do fine.

Take care--no fear!
Susan

Thank you for the insight. I am not looking foward the te "glue texture" but I am trying to keep in mind it is all for the greater good. I am glad my husband is on leave from work so he can be with the kids and I can get this out of the way.

Tami

It shouldn't be a problem having an EKG since there is no prep for it.

I scheduled my cardiac stress test for right after my Upper GI and that turned out to be an issue because I was supposed to fast beforehand and the barium counted as not having fasted even though it has no calories!

I am guessing  cardiac stress test and and EKG are not the same thing right?? So did you have to reschedule your stress test? The bright side of that gross stuff is no calories I guess... hehehe

Tami

Yes, I had to reschedule. I was annoyed because I *told them* when I scheduled my stress test that I was doing the Upper GI first.

The stress test can be done different ways but I had to walk on a treadmill hooked up to electrodes and then they also imaged my body hooked up to electrodes. I probably didn't need it considering how my results turned out, but I guess it didn't hurt to take it.