Is a barium swallow safe?

[charlieab]

Ive been diagnosed with a couple of automimmune conditions this year. But, not satisfied with that, the consultant is still looking at the possibility of scleroderma and so wants to do a barium swallow. But Im a bit worried about the safety issues.

I know that there is radiation and it is inside you; and, though it might not be a lot, I still worry about the risk of cancer. Does any one have any experience of barium swallows? I guess Im thinking that with at least several autoimmune conditions then I might be more vulnerable to cancer?

Thanks a lot for any info/ ideas.

[cowhide]

Charlieab, I had a barium swallow a couple of years ago to look at my swallowing problems. Do not worry, the barium itself is completely harmless, it is not radioactive. The reason barium is used is because it shows up on x-rays. So you are asked to swallow - possibly several little mouthfuls with your head in a different position, e.g standing up or lying down - and they take an x-ray film so they can see what is happening to the liquid inside your throat or lower down. My procedure took about a minute! So yes you have a low dose of radiation, but that is from the x-ray like any other, nothing stays inside you that is harmful. I didn't even notice the white barium passing out in my stools as I only needed 2 swallows to confirm that basically my swallowing ability is useless. It is a thick liquid with a bit of flavouring. You should be sent a leaflet beforehand that just explains the test and any instructions about fasting etc beforehand.

[charlieab in reply to cowhide]

Thanks very much for your reply. It was really helpful. Hope you are doing ok.

best wishes

[Hidden]

Hi, the barium is harmless but you will have x-rays. It is always wise to minimise exposure to x-rays over the duration of your life (obviously!)

There are better ways of finding out if you've scleroderma - are you encountering digestive symptoms? I think you have to weigh up the (small in isolation) risks with the potential benefits (treatment of symptoms/diagnoses)

Interesting comment about cancer - made me have a google: academic.oup.com/jnci/artic...

[charlieab in reply to Hidden]

thanks The-Bear. I guess Ive become a bit of a worrior since my health collapsed. Keep wondering what disaster will be round the next corner. Also Ive had quite a lot of x rays recently.

Thing is that Im having GERD type symptoms but not dismotility which I think the baroum swallows looks at. Anyway, I chickened out and postponed it, so that I can discuss further with my consultant whether it is really needed. He'll probably think Im an idot but I can live with that.

Hope you doing ok atm.

[Hidden in reply to charlieab]

If he thinks you have SSc the barium swallow will be probably checking the circular muscles around the top of the stomach. I've had every gastro-test under the sun... I have awful reflux but manage it completely without medication with diet/meal size&timing/foam wedge under mattress. You might want to look at measures you can do so if you can manage GERD yourself then your doctor might be happy that's what the problem is?

[charlieab in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Bear. That makes sense. I will ask him about it maybe by email before I see him next time. I know I need to move things along. Just kind of nervous about doing so! Ive tried rasing the bed. One of the advanatges of being recently divorced is that you can have your bed at what ever angle you like! Diet is pretty confusing, as have to take soem things for the osteoporosis and avoid other things for the inflamation. But will look into. thanks again.

[Elaine_Hayes]

I had a barium swallow a few months ago and it only took a few minutes, but it identified the problem spot on. I was suffering repeated choking and discomfort with my food getting stuck. I was diagnosed with scleroderma 10 years ago, but only last year has this symptom raised its head. But with the help of the barium swallow I now have medication that works and relieves this problem. I am sure it will be ok for you and should help with a diagnosis. Good luck

[charlieab in reply to Elaine_Hayes]

Hi Elaine

Thanks for your reply. Im glad that it helped find out what was going on for you. The repeated choking sounds like it must have been really tough.

best wishes

[Elaine_Hayes in reply to charlieab]

Yes it was, let me know how you get on. It's good to share with people who understand.

[charlieab in reply to Elaine_Hayes]

Will do. Thanks.

[Jeeny]

I had one last year. Mine took a while. I kept having to swallow this drink while they X- rayed it using video. I was in different positions- upright, lying , left side etc etc.. As someone has said it's this X-ray that's the possible danger. It was good in that it gave the proof of a problem.

[charlieab in reply to Jeeny]

Thanks Jeeny. Hope you doing ok.

[bones-bones]

A Barium Swallow is absolutely safe. They are done all day everyday all round the UK. You will have no greater chance of getting cancer.

[GGhere]

Hi I had a barium swallow and it was nothing like I was expecting. It is quite do-able and doesn't take very long. You don't even have to drink gallons of stuff as with some x-rays. I just had to stand up and swallow a bit of the "stuff" when the doctor told me to and as you swallow the "picture" is taken. I was only in there a few minutes.