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do you have to be off ppis before barium swallow

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Posted 12/11/2013 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Trying to schedule one for tomorrow please help

 

Posted 12/11/2013 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
I was still on my ppis when I did my barium swallow.
Posted 12/11/2013 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot did it still show reflux 
Posted 12/11/2013 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Actually no, it showed absolutely no sign at all of a hiatal hernia or reflux. Which is not uncommon. They saw a small hernia when they did the endoscopy. People on here, as well as my surgeon explained to me that this test is the least relevant of all the tests (at least leading up to a surgery like a nissen fundoplication) because there is something called a sliding hernia that you can have. Where the hernia will slide up and down at times, where sometimes it is there and sometimes it is not. When they put all the air in your stomach during an endoscopy, the hernia is more apparent. The one test they did take seriously for me was my PH study. It showed a lot of acid in my esophagus.
Posted 12/11/2013 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
I had the endoscopy done one month ago everything looked normal but I was trying to tell my doctor that my reflux has only started in September and then I was on nexium and Carafate for a month so obviously there is not enough time for a significant damage. (couldn't do the nexium for longer tried dexiliant for a couple of weeks then I figured I'm not good with those type of pills). My doctor then told me you should be happy its not a stomach cancer and if you think you have reflux take peptide (nice guy). I'm paying everything out of pocket so I dropped him I'm going to see a great surgeon for a consult so just trying to get all my tests in order but believe people are not being helpful so many phone calla and keep getting transferred from one person to another sigh
Posted 12/11/2013 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I meant he told me to take pepcid
Posted 12/11/2013 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Getting tests done is not a bad idea, they want to know that you are a good enough candidate for surgery. Usually they don't want to do surgery until medicinal therapy fails, however even my surgeon told me that a lot of people will have the surgery simply so they don't have to stay on acid reducers. That being said, surgery really is a big decision.. you really want to know that you need it or can benefit from it.

As far as I know, there are only two options. Medicinal therapy (acid reducers) and surgery. It sounds like they didn't even find a hernia. I can see why they would be reluctant. If you have the PH study done, maybe that would change their mind, but remember, I'm not a doctor. It wasn't until I had my PH study that they began to take me seriously.

Pepcid is all very similar to all the rest of the acid reducers out there. I've tried most of them. Prescription strength is obviously more helpful.
Posted 12/12/2013 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
That's why I want to talk with the surgeon since first off I'm not doing well on pips (currently taking Prilosec otc since the other ones seem to don't agree with me plus they still don't take my symptoms away 100%). Besides I can't imagine the rest of my life taking medicine which doesn't even address all the issues I'm having. I'm 35years old and this disease is controlling my life every day for the past four months. I think that surgery is the answer even if it will give me only 80% improvement I will take it over what I'm going thru right now. I can't even concentrate on anything its driving me crazy and I cry every day. A lot of articles that I've read say that since being on ppis only mask the symptoms then surgery even an extreme measure isn't such a bad idea. I'm personally extremely interested in Linx since its less invasive but there is so much ahead of me just thinking about it is tiring. Just hope everything will go as smooth as possible and I could get my life back .
Posted 12/12/2013 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
That's understandable. Go get those tests done and find out. I can say the nissen fundoplication surgery did wonders for me.
Posted 12/12/2013 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the support if I am not a goo candidate for Linx I will go for Nissen I have to get it resolved one way or another ...
Posted 12/12/2013 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
No problem. Good luck!
Posted 12/12/2013 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks and I'm glad your surgery was successful it gives me hope !
Posted 12/12/2013 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Anna11

I've just read your posts and you say that your symptoms started in September. Mine started in April and I had an endoscopy in July nothing was seen and no damage due to reflux but then there wouldn't be because the reflux wouldn't have had time to do any damage.

My endoscopy didn't show a hernia. I had to find out what the matter was so I did research and thought I had a hernia so I had a barium swallow. The doctor doing the test said there was no hernia but later they said they analysed the images and found a slight hernia.

Just trying to say don't be put off if they don't find a hernia it doesn't mean that you don't have one.

My barium swallow didn't show reflux either. The best test is the 24 hour ph impedance test.

Hope you have luck finding out what your problem is.

Maria
Posted 12/12/2013 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
PPIs should not affect a barium swallow at all. I was on them for mine.
Posted 12/12/2013 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanx Maria its a long road but I'm determined to get to the bottom of things since my quality of life is horrible right now. How about you what is your next step
Posted 12/12/2013 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanx StephanieJean
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