How bad does Barium taste??? Truly????

Oh boy, what a testimonial! I am just going to close my eyes, think of being up at the cottage fishing or something and just force it down! Thanks for telling it like it was.......yuck!

Deb

When you drink it, do it all in one shot.  Don't sip it, get it down!!  And plug your nose while you're drinking.  Since taste buds need air to work, if you don't breath, you won't taste the worst of it.  There will be an after taste in your mouth when you let go of your nose, but the swallowing part will be done.

When you have a cold, you can't taste food, right?  That's because your taste buds aren't getting the air they need (thru your nose) to work while your throat is being used to swallow.

I don't understand why people get all stressed about something that hasn't happen or what others have said has happened to them.  I guess I was raised with the attitude of "If it needs to be done, just suck it up and get it over with."

You're right Beth, but I think that it's human nature to worry about something that you're faced with, when you've heard some pretty terrible things about it. At least, that's how it works for me. I wish that I shared your attitude, but, even though I know that it has to be done, I am still dreading it. I can't pretend that it's not going to be unpleasant. Your attitude will definitely help you to cope with all the surprises life tends to throw at us, so good for you on that!

I will definitely remember your tip and I will make sure that I hold my nose and drink it down quickly and get it over with! Thanks for the tip.

Deb

I had my upper GI test done last week so I have recent experience with it.
I did not know that they had flavoured kinds, I was not given any kind of option. 
I was given a shot/medicine cup full of little white "crystals" and some water to drink with it.  Once the water touched the crystals they started fizzing kind of like pop rocks.  Then I was given the container of barium.  It was chalky, but having lived through taking upwards of 8-10 Tums a day for contsant heart burn, it wasn't that bad.

Drink it fast, don't burp, and you'll be fine.
Be prepared to roll around on the table many times.  Showed off my knickers a few times since the gown kept getting twisted.  The tech girl was great and helped me reposition and get covered back up.

Hi Penny! Thanks for sharing your recent experience - I do feel much more prepared than I did, so that's a big relief!

Hmm, thanks for the heads-up about the rolling around - I'll make sure that I'm wearing new knickers just in case - LOL! You gave me a good laugh over that one!!!!! 

Deb

I haven't had the pleasure of tasting barium.... but it miht be helpful to block your nose as you drink it.  Smell & taste are very closely related.... this might help 'tune out' the taste.
Good luck!

Hi Rosie!

That's what someone else suggested as well, so I think that I'll just hold my nose and drink it down as fast as I can! Thanks for suggesting that solution!

Deb