I had my barium follow through test, now I feel like cr*p

[marygold]

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.

[4gpact]

I doubt it had anything to do with the radiation, but I wonder if the barium is emptying properly. Do be sure to drink lots of fluids, and use a laxative to be sure it moves out quickly, or it can harden and cause a bowel obstruction. Maybe it's like when you eat a big meal and get sleepy? This stuff does move slowly, it can actually harden, so be careful.

[toBethany]

DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER - the barium is "heavy" and can cause your bowels to slow down... drink lots of fluid!!! If necessary, drink some Milk of Magnesia (mint flavor!) or drink some Magnesium Citrate.  The stool will be white a couple of times, and you will know that it is all out when your stool returns to its "normal" color.

Bethany

[Concerned lady]

Dear Marygold,

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

[Concerned lady]

Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):

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 PILLOW, for adults.

(5) We try NOT TO BEND OVER too often, and we try to AVOID STRAINING (Valsalva maneuver). We AVOID LIFTING HEAVY objects. (No weight lifting!) (at least until after no more reflux symptoms for 3 months). Sit without any pressure on the abdomen or stomach (knees lower than hips). Avoid running (shakes up the stomach). Avoid gymnastics, etc. Walking is best, until fully recovered.

(a) If CONSTIPATION is causing any straining, see Ref.15,18,23,24,25 on page 9 for ideas about gently treating constipation, including eating whole grains, not white (de-natured ones), etc.  For us, exercise, increased water intake, acidophilus/bifidus, digestive enzymes, avoiding junk food, improved diet, chewing slowly (takes will power!), eating when not under stress or angry, etc., all are helpful.

(6) NO MORE TIGHT pants, belt, corset,--AVOID TIGHT CLOTHING, avoid tight elastic around waist, etc.

(7) We try to not eat too much junk food. Some people avoid acidic  food, while others need to eat acidic food, if their stomach is not producing any (or enough) acid. (It is good to avoid acid, if one has an ulcer.) These gastric reflux tips methods often can help to heal ulcers. Some people need betaine hydrochloride supplements, which becomes HCl/hydrochloric acid, or, some use vinegar (acetic acid) in salads, or mixed with water, while others need to avoid eating excess acid. Each person is unique. We avoid all artificial sweeteners. Anyone with diabetes can read the excellent book Reversing Diabetes, by Dr. Julian Whittaker, M.D..

Diet soda pop contains the harmful artificial sweetener Aspartame (Equal/Nutrasweet), which can cause WEIGHT GAIN, HEADACHES, UPSET STOMACH, BLURRED VISION, BLINDNESS, TWITCHING, SEIZURES, BRAIN TUMORS, HYPERACTIVITY, MOOD SWINGS, ETC. Also, soda pop often has strong acids, plus other harmful artificial ingredients. Plain water, gentle herb teas, certain fruit juices (diluted with water, to prevent dehydration), brown-rice-milk, etc. are healthier substitutes for soda pops.

We try to avoid artificial ingredients, including fake fats (like Olean, Olestra, etc.), because these can greatly hurt the digestive system, and prevent absorption of vital nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) from foods. These fake fats also prevent digestion and absorption of needed fats & oils, used to repair myelin nerve cell sheaths (made of fatty material, mostly cholesterol). Hormones are also made of mostly cholesterol.

Avoid no-fat, or extremely low fat diets. Fats & oils (organic olive oil, organic sesame oil, organic butter in small amounts, organic nuts, etc.) are needed to produce hormones, and to produce myelin sheaths for certain nerve cells. Diets too low in fats & oils, can cause neurological (nerve) damage, and hormonal imbalances.

(8)  We try to drink more water, to prevent chronic dehydration. We like hard (nicely mineralized) well or spring water.
We do not drink distilled water (soft water, no minerals), because it can leach minerals out of our bones, possibly contributing  to osteoporosis. (See Ref.18,23, on page 9.) We avoid water softeners (chemicals) because they can be toxic, and because good minerals help keep us healthy. People with KIDNEY PROBLEMS &/or GLAUCOMA, etc. should ask their docs how much water is safe to drink, since too much water can be dangerous for them! (But, dehydration can cause problems also.)

(9) We use ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS ( edible beneficial bacteria which keep bad YEASTS away, such as Candida Albicans, formerly called Monilia). ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS also can eat or control some bad bacteria, and some viruses. The acidophilus/bifidus are also called PRO-BIOTICS and are beneficial intestinal flora (mainly for the large intestine). We keep the jars refrigerated, but not too cold. These are available at health food stores & pharmacies. (See Ref.14,15,23,24,25, on page 9).

Acidophilus/bifidus can re-populate the large intestine, with good bacteria, after antibiotics &/or steroids, etc. have killed off these good bacteria! Some of us have to continue eating the acidophilus/bifidus (daily, or from time to time), but the results seem worth the effort to us.

Yogurt and buttermilk contain similar beneficial bacteria, but are milk products, so see (11) below about milk products.

(10) We use DIGESTIVE ENZYMES. My husband likes Acid-Ease by Prevail, which contains Slippery Elm (inner bark), Marshmallow Root, Gamma-Oryzanol (from Rice Bran Oil), and the plant enzymes Amylase (digests starch), Lipase II (digests fat), and Cellulase I (digests cellulose from plant cell walls). The Acid-Ease does not contain Protease, which can be very irritating to ulcer/GER folks.

The Acid-Ease is NOT an acid blocker. It is not an antacid. It soothes, coats, nourishes, and promotes healing. Its enzymes help with leaky gut syndrome.

   I use Total Enzymes (which does have Protease, a protein digesting enzyme) by Nutri-West, a company that sells only to health practitioners (Chiropracters, Physicians, and others), who can order, at cost, by calling 1-307-358-5066.

   Digestive enzymes are NOT FOR EVERYBODY, but are helpful for MANY people.

(11)  My husband has found that AVOIDING MILK PRODUCTS helps him feel less congested, with less mucus in throat. Milk and milk products can cause gastric reflux episodes. Brown-Rice Milk (look for gluten-free) can substitute for milk (but not for babies!).

Gluten is in wheat (includes spelt & kamut), rye, oats, barley, & buckwheat. READ LABVELS CAREFULLY to avoid hidden gluten, in some soy sauces, gravies, grain alcohols, beer (barley malt), etc. People with Celiac Disease need to avoid all foods containing gluten.

BROWN RICE (organic) is gluten-free. If you like pasta, you can buy organic GLUTEN-FREE BROWN RICE PASTAS from good health food stores.

Corn is gluten free, but is very allergenic (allergy causing), so avoid corn. Avoid millet, at first, because there is disagreement about whether millet is safe or not, for Celiac patients.

MILK MAY CAUSE MORE ACID to be produced, IN THE STOMACH!

I occasionally eat milk products, like yogurt, cheese, whipped cream, or my ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS, which is mixed with goat milk powder. So, at these times, I take LACTASE ENZYMES, to digest (break down into easily absorbed small molecules) the milk-sugar called LACTOSE. Many people (due to heredity &/or disease) have Lactose intolerance, where the small intestine does not secrete the lactase enzyme. Result is that the milk-sugar (lactose) travels further down the small intestine than it should. Then, bad bacteria eat the lactose, giving off lots of gas (the gases are by-products of the bad bacteria’s own digestion process), and this causes folks to get bloated, gassy, have diarrhea, and cramping. I use Lactaid brand lactase enzymes, and it works for me. Ordering direct from them can save money.

(12) Using the above methods has almost completely freed my husband of needing to use Tums, and seems to be nicely controlling his and my GER/LPR. We have never used acid blockers.

ACID BLOCKERS CAN HAVE DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS: Some examples are:

Acid must be present in the stomach, in order for the stomach to make a substance called Intrinsic Factor. Intrinsic factor must be present with Vitamin B 12, in the stomach, for absorption of Vitamin B 12 to happen, in the ileum (last part of the small intestine), I believe.

Acid blockers therefore prevent absorption of Vitamin B 12. Malabsorption (lack of absorption) of Vitamin B 12, causes NERVE DAMAGE (pain, numbness, pins & needles sensation, etc.) in the peripheral nerves (outside the brain & spinal cord). This is called PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY. For details about this problem, and about gluten intolerance, see the Peripheral Neuropathy forum at <a href=http://www.braintalk.org>http://www.braintalk.org</a>

At this Peripheral Neuropathy forum, you'll find that Rose knows a lot about the problems caused by not absorbing Vitamin B-12 (due to acid blockers, etc.).

And a lady "JCC" knows a lot about Celiac Disease. She can give you links to Dr. Fine's websites, where you can have some better tests done (stool tests, etc.) to find out more about whether you may have a gluten intolerance. (Also, trying a gluten-free diet for a month, is free, & is the cure for gluten problems!)

If Vitamin B 12 continues to NOT be absorbed, eventually there can be NERVE DAMAGE to the Central nervous system (brain & spinal cord).

ALSO, the minerals calcium, iron, zinc, other minerals, and important trace minerals, etc. cannot be properly absorbed, when there is no acid in the stomach (due to acid blockers, etc.).

AND, protein does not start to get properly digested (broken down--eventually into amino acids), in the stomach, when there is no acid in the stomach.

Doctors and pharmacists can advise about VERY gradual(slow) tapering down (weaning) schedules (when and if safe) for the acid blockers. Some acid blockers, when stopped too quickly, can cause rebound acid secretion in the stomach, resulting in excess hydrochloric acid secretion. The REBOUND ACID SECRETION often causes worse GERD symptoms!

ALSO, SOME FORMS OF REFLUX ARE NOT ACID REFLUX, but are ALKALINE REFLUX, (bile is alkaline). Besides refluxed stomach acid (HCl/hydrochloric acid), Pepsin (an acidic proteolytic/protein digesting, enzyme) & bile (alkaline) can irritate & damage: the esophagus, throat, vocal cords, & lungs. Acid blockers may not stop "alkaline" reflux.

(13) Do not drink ICY COLD DRINKS, and AVOID VERY HOT DRINKS. Use room temperature drinks, or slightly cool, or warm, but not ultra-hot. Extremely cold or hot liquids can irritate the stomach, which is bad for ulcers &/or gastric reflux.

(14) Ask physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, etc. if they know any safe adjustments that might lessen GER/LPR, if you wish.

(15) Read (by Dr. James A. Koufman) PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET ON REFLUX by Center for Voice Disorders of Wake Forest University. Here’s a link:  <a href=http://www.bgsm.edu/voice/pt_info.html>http://www.bgsm.edu/voice/pt_info.html</a>  Dr. Koufman was a pioneer in showing the connection between stomach reflux (can be acid reflux OR alkaline reflux) and breathing problems!

(16) Some have found a special (large) GERD pillow helpful for preventing GERD episodes while sleeping and while lying down. Here is a link to the Prop up pillow website:  http://www.propuppillow.com

This is better than just using a bunch of plain pillows, which can squeeze the stomach, causing more reflux.

(17) Avoid harmful chemical air pollution, which can aggravate gastric reflux. See page 5 of VCD website for more about this.

(18) Using the above methods, in addition to the SINUS SURVIVAL tips, has helped us to prevent VCD attacks, in us.

(19) Please check with your doctor, in advance, to be sure that it is OK for you to try these tips, in your particular case. Also, please get monitored by your doctor, to be sure that no more damage to the throat, esophagus, stomach, vocal cords, lungs, etc. is happening, from possible SILENT gastric reflux.

Pregnant or nursing ladies should check with their doctors, before trying any of these tips.

Avoid any herbs, foods, etc. that you may be allergic to.

Check with your doctor and pharmacist, to be sure that there would be no harmful interactions between any of your medications, diet that you may be on, and any herbs, foods, etc. mentioned in these tips.

Check with your doctor, to be sure that these tips would not interact badly with any medical condition you may have.

These tips help my husband and me (adults). Some of these tips may be OK for children, and others may not be OK for children. Check with your doctor! Babies with gastric reflux need DIFFERENT treatments, not these tips (except for raising the head end of the crib, if your doctor says it is OK to do this, etc.). Check with your doctor!

I know this is a lengthy posting, but if it helps, it will be worth reading & trying these tips (if your doc has no objections). These tips are also found on page 10 of my website. See link below.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
<a href=http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com>http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com</a>

[marygold]

you see, my stool never turned colour. It's been 5 days since my test (which showed reflux within a minute of lying down, which is so not good) and my stools never changed to white. I don't even remember my stools having changed to white when I last had that test years ago. I do have a lot of gas right now. It's not in my upper digestive tract, it's all in my intestines. I hold it in and don't fart unless I'm in the bathroom, and I can actually feel the air bubbles cruising through my intestines. During supper tonight, I was (secretly) following the passage of one large bubble that was making its way around my insides. It's kinda cool to actually feel and trace your insides, although it probably ain't normal. I shoulda taken an anti-gas tablet, but I never got a chance to sneak away on my own to my bag and get one. (I was long-lost family, having dinner with a second cousin I only found out I had a couple months ago, and everyone was curious. She's got a big family, too.)

Anyway, back on track. I come from a German and Polish background on my mom's side. My other gramma is English, though. I had a Barium Swallow test years ago, which didn't show any reflux during the test, although I was diagnosed with GERD. But this test, I saw on the monitor, showed some major reflux within a minute of lying down, although I was swallowing nonstop to try to get it to stay down. I think it's safe to say that it's gotten much worse in those few years. It was severe and chronic back then, so what is it now? Would I be facing surgery? I don't know yet, but I'm going to go to the doc's in the new year to see what the next move is. I can't keep on like this. Hey, maybe I'll ask the doc to refer me to a specialist, a dietician, and possibly a psychologist. Wow, I am one whacked out kid here. Adult, I'm an adult. I still feel like a kid sometimes because I like to go out and have fun, and a bunch of the other adults I talk to are so boring already. I always felt that the older you get, the less fun you go after. True for some people, I guess, but I'm trying to stay as young as possible for as long as possible. Sounds good to me!

Anyway, gotta go. Merry Christmas, everyone!