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Do I really need a barium swallow x ray?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/7/2012 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
I am awaiting the biopsy results from fex sig to confirm UC or Chrons but doc thinks it's UC. I will be having a coloscopy in the coming weeks. I have concerns about the barium swallow in regards to the amount of radiology I'll bee exposed to not to mention the effects of the barium itself (I've actually done this test a few years prior).

Is there another test I can request or just pass on it entirely?
Posted 8/7/2012 7:15 AM (GMT 0)
What exactly is the reason the doc wants to do the swallow for?

The biopsies will lean toward CD if you have specific cell formations/changes/inflammation, but CD in early symptoms can mimic UC if the pattern of inflammation is the same.
It's not a positive....usually through a series of eliminations of other things and is "indicitive" of... The pathology doesn't make the determination, the doc has suspect and usually can determine with good confidence that it's one or the other.

I'd have the upper series done if I had upper symptoms. There shouldn't be any side effects from the barium, and if you have a one series done for a good baseline, you may never need one again.
If your symptoms are suspicious of CD, your doc may want to see if anything wonky is in the upper gastro area.
But if the doc's on a fishing expedition, you might want to reconsider and have it done at a later date if you have symptoms.

Personally, I know that the barium enema x-rays showed absolutely squat of my 15 inches of severe inflammation. My "then" doc told me how LUCKY I was that I didn't have UC...what a waste of valuable time regarding my extreme symptoms.

I had a barium swallow done in the early `80s, haven`t had one since.
q
Posted 8/7/2012 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
The barium series basically shows outlines of the organs. Fiberoptic scopes are the gold standard for diagnosing most gastrointestinal disorders now; then there is the newer capsule camera that makes barium even more medieval. I had the same experience as Quincy decades back-- in that a barium series failed to detect the UC I already suffered from-- so I feel pretty skeptical about its worth to us patients + exposure to radiation, besides. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 8/7/2012 10:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks I think I'll be passing. I have no upper symptoms so I was confused as to why he even ordered it. I'll call the office today to see about my results and bring up the barium xray.
Posted 8/7/2012 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
I had the upper GI series test done if that's what you are referring to. I had it done because it studies the small intestines to see if there are any signs of Crohns. I was looking into surgery at the time and and I wanted to be as sure as I could that I had UC and not CD. It was a long test and I had to drink a lot of that icky barium but it told me that my small intestines were fine and they gave me piece of mind. There is also the pill cam test that studies the small intestine as well and it's more accurate I believe.
Posted 8/7/2012 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
I just had an MRI scan with barium and contrast in an IV a few weeks ago. It was due to me having some upper left side pain - they wanted to make sure I didn't have any signs of Crohns and did not have any obstructions.  The test confirmed that. Plus being an MRI there isn't any radiation to worry about.  I wouldn't do the test again though, the after effects of that barium are horrible!
Posted 8/7/2012 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
It seems that if your doc is concerned about Crohn's, you could have an endoscopy done instead of a barium swallow.
Posted 8/7/2012 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
It seems that if your doc is concerned about Crohn's, you could have an endoscopy done instead of a barium swallow.
Posted 8/7/2012 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I agree that the upper scope would be a good option...but it wouldn't go totally through the small intestine.   The GI can go up into the ileum during the c-scope, however.

Personally....if one has no CD in other areas, and if it's localised in the colon mimicing UC, it doesn't mean one doesn't have CD.
There have been others who presented as UC...only to have surgery and it ended up being CD.

Not that it's a bad thing to have the totally diseased colon removed, assuming that the diagnosis is definitively not CD because it's not anywhere else is crappola.

MNBeachgal..what were your side effects of the barium?

q

Posted 8/7/2012 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Is that why he wants the Barium x ray? To rule out CD? I wasn't even sure why he ordered it especially if I'm having a colonoscopy.
Posted 8/7/2012 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
It's possible, but please note....to rule out CD in the areas he's checking...not to rule it out completely.

Ask lots of questions and get the results...because many here ask questions and we love answers..lol..  Plus it encourages you to be proactive in your disease so you know what's going on...etc

q
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