So, tomorrow is my testing day: Barium Swallow, Gallbladder Ultrasound, Bloodwork, PT. I'm more freaked about the barium test than ANYTHING!

Calling out to all for some advice, tips, "you can do it"....

Thanks all!

Ugh! I'm right there with you! I have my Barium swallow on Friday and I'm kinda nervous about it. Don't know what to expect.

Because of a liver tumor I've experienced loads of barium tests. Not fun, but doable. It's not the taste of the liquid that got me it was the amount. My test requires me to drink 46 ozs so that was the toughest. Not sure what you will be required to do.

Oh man, that is a lot! So sorry you have to do this! I agree gemgirl, its the fear of the unknown. We are all so prepared on the surgery that these little "unknowns" are what throw us...hopefully not literally!

thanks for responding.

I had my barium test a few months back. There were two technicians and they were great. The tast wasn't so bad it was the texture and the amount that I had to drink. One was very "chalky". I know it's TMI but, your BM will be a chalky color for a day or so too lol. They also made me drink upside down. Now that was interesting. The surprising part was they only found mild acid reflux. My chest says differently!!! You'll do great. It's painless.

Well so far today I've done the pre-admission testing, EKG, chest X-ray, gallbladder ultrasound, upper GI, and now I'm sitting in physical therapy. One more NUT visit next Tuesday and I'm done! Jumped through all the hoops....I had myself worked up over this swallow test but it wasn't too bad! Glad it's over though.

Thanks all for the support!!!

Full steam ahead! Dec 2nd!!!

The Barium was HORRIBLE! I took it on monday and I am still having white runny stool... And I've been on my two week liquid diet so that doesn't help. It also sucks when they jab your wrist for your blood gas levels. OUCH!

I kind of hope I have to do a barium test. I want my doctor to check for every conceivable complication risk, especially after reading about the poster's sister dying. I won't complain about any pre-op testing.

I didn't have a bad experience with the barium swallow test. It certainly wasn't the best thing I've ever tasted but it wasn't to the point of saying horrible. It's 15 minutes long--- we can do that! Interesting that it caused diarrhea ---- I was a little constipated for a couple of days.

Don't let this freak you out. We're all strong and capable -- don't sweat the small stuff!

I'm intolerant of the sulfate that they use in the barium sulfate. It always makes me run to the restroom. I haven't had the barium swallow test as of yet but have had many other tests with barium and I can't imagine it's worse than those...