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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
I had my barium follow through test, now I feel like cr*p
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
I had my barium follow through test, now I feel like cr*p
by marygold, Dec 20, 2002 12:00AM
I had my follow through test, which they cut short. They were supposed to follow the Barium through the small intstine until it reaches the colon, but they only followed it intil it was out of the stomach. He said that they were not likely to find anything there, and it would save me the radiation. I don't know if I'm happy about that or not. They did find I have a lot of reflux (I could have told them that) but nothing else. I walked home and slept. I just barely dragged myself out of bed to come down to a computer. I've been sleeping for the last 8hrs straight. And before my test, I had slept for another 8hrs. Does this have something to do with the radiation? I'm thinking that if the test were longer, I'd probably feel worse, but then again, if they had done the whole test, they might have found something, you never know. Anyway, what now? It's taking a whole lot of energy just to type. I want to roll over and go back to sleep. Is this normal/typical? I haven't expelled the Barium yet. Could that have something to do with it?
I'm going to stop there because I am so tired I can't continue. I'm going back to bed.
I'm going to stop there because I am so tired I can't continue. I'm going back to bed.
Bethany
I agree with all the others' advice--but don't use MINT, because mint makes gastric reflux worse.
Here are some ideas you can think about:
1)Go & see a doctor who knows a lot about FOOD SENSITIVITIES, FOOD ALLERGIES, & CELIAC DISEASE (Celiac Disease doesn't always show up on the LIMITED tests for it that you probably were given!).
2)Regarding the above:
a)Try going on a MILK-FREE diet for 2 weeks. This means, avoid milk, cheese, yogurt, & anything that has milk-products added to it. MIGHT YOU BE LACTOSE-INTOLERANT? Lactose is milk sugar. People who have lactose intolerance usually bloat up "bigtime" about 20 minutes after drinking or eating MILK PRODUCTS. I know about this personally!
If you feel like you must eat or drink some milk products, take a tablet (the "ultra") of LACTAID (has Lactase enzymes in it), at the same time that you swallow the first bite or sip of the milk product.
b)Try going on a GLUTEN-FREE DIET for at least 30 days. A few days may not have been long enough for you to see an improvement. To go gluten-free means you need to AVOID THE FOLLOWING: Wheat, Rye, Oats, Barley, Buckwheat.
This means avoid wheat breads (includes SPELT & KAMUT, which are ancient forms of wheat). Avoid breaded foods. Avoid bread crumbs. Avoid gravies unless you make them gluten-free.
This means, avoid vanilla extract or any "extracts" that were made using "grain" alcohol, because the "grain" may have been a "glutenous" grain.
Do you have any ancestors who are/were IRISH, ENGLISH, or SCANDINAVIAN (or near these places)? When Celiac Disease is inherited, it is found in a higher percentage of people whose ancestry includes Irish, British, Scottish, Welsh, & Scandinavian, than in others.
Celiac Disease can also be acquired (non-hereditary), and can result from infections of the small intestine.
3)See a good Psychologist or Psychiatrist, to help you survive the stress of your physical problems, & to give you some emotional support, to help you not fall back into the anorexia. Maybe your roomy could also go, so you both can help eachother even more.
4)Consider the following GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS, which can help you to GET OFF THE ACID BLOCKER!!! Why? Because acid blocking medications have some awful side effects. READ THE PACKAGE INSERT PAPER, WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS! ASK YOUR PHARMACIST TO TRANSLATE THE "ADVERSE" (BAD) EFFECTS INTO PLAIN ENGLISH.
I'll put the GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS into the next message below this, so this one won't be too lengthy.
Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
Please check with your doctor, first, before trying these tips to be sure they are safe, in your particular situation.
TRY USING THESE TIPS, EVERY DAY, FOR TWO WEEKS, WHILE YOU CONTINUE TAKING THE ACID BLOCKING MEDICATION.
If these tips seem to help you, then, after 2 weeks, KEEP USING THE TIPS, while you begin to VERY, VERY, SLOWLY DECREASE THE ACID BLOCKING MEDICATION.
CONTINUE USING THESE TIPS, UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY OFF THE ACID BLOCKERS. Then, keep using these tips until you have no more reflux problems for at least 3 months. Some of us have to continue using these tips longer, or "forever", but it's worth it!:
GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)
LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)
Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems (at least): VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospasm attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, much extra throat mucus, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, laryngitis, voice problems, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.
SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.
PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It may possibly be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray’s website.
Some of the following we learned from people &/or other books, &/or other good websites about voice, GER, etc.
(1) DGL (De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice) is one of our main methods of controlling the GER/LPR. We use Enzymatic Therapy brand DGL, shortly (about 20 minutes) before ALL meals (breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks). The DGL does NOT cause high blood pressure, and does NOT cause fluid retention/edema, because a bad (steroidal) part of whole/crude licorice has been removed, leaving the DGL. Chewable DGL tablets are available at most health food stores, and at good pharmacies. DGL capsules are said to not be effective:
The DGL tablet(s) must be chewed, to mix with saliva, to be effective. If a DGL tablet is too dry (which could cause a cough), one could put a few drops of water on the tablet, and then chew it up. Chew DGL tablet(s) just for a few seconds, to mix with saliva, shortly before (about 20 minutes before) EVERY meal, and if necessary, between meals (Read label directions). Chewing the DGL tablets for TOO long a time, may cause a burning sensation on the tongue & in the mouth. (I do not know if this is from the DGL, or another ingredient).
The DGL seems to not only promote healing of throat, esophagus and stomach, but also seems to help prevent OUR reflux.(resulting in no more globus/lump in throat sensation, no more constant throat clearing, excess mucous, excess phlegm, no more NIGHT-TIME VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospams attacks, no more laryngitis, etc. for us)
We like the taste of the plain, fructose-free, DGL CHEWABLE tablets, but for those who hate the taste, try mixing a crushed DGL tablet with a tiny bit of mashed organic banana, and then chew, to mix with saliva. Avoid any DGL that contains mint. (Mint—in all forms, can cause gastric reflux episodes. AVOID MINT!!).
Here’s how to pronounce "De-Glycyrrhizinated" Licorice: "dee gl eye sir rise in eh ted" licorice.
(2) We use Thayers brand of SLIPPERY ELM Throat Lozenges when we feel the need. (Soothing, coating, healing, nourishing). Slippery Elm (inner bark from a tree) also comes in teabag form, or in bulk, etc. as an herbal supplement.
(3) We drink the occasional small glass of CARROT JUICE (organic, fresh) which soothes, coats, heals the digestive tract, is nourishing, and stimulates the immune system, with beta-carotene, soothing and coating PECTIN (a type of fiber), and other good nutrients. Carrot soup, cooked carrots are also good. Beta-carotene is heat resistant. Beta-carotene later is turned into Vitamin A inside us. Do not overdo on carrot juice. If your skin turns orange, drink less carrot juice. Avoid beta-carotene pills -- too potent (can harm the liver, if one has liver problems).
(4) We tried elevating the head of the bed a few inches, by putting 6 inch to 8 inch BLOCKS, ON THE FLOOR, under the head end of the bed. This creates a slant (tilt), where the head is 6 to 8 inches higher than the feet. This helps some people, but not all people. (Check with a pediatric Gastro-enterologist, about raising the head end of a bed of a child, or a crib of an infant). Also, see (16) about a special GERD