Barium Swallow = Constipation...

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Luvs24
Luvs24 Member Posts: 75
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hello!

I am so sorry I haven't been able to keep up with everyone. My life is back in NH with my parents in Florida. Good news - 3 1/2 months after surgery (Ivor Lewis) my dad is riding his Harley, camping (in a motor home) with friends and doing anything he wants to. The only pain/discomfort is self induced. (He is trying to learn amounts of food to eat so he doesn't eat to much...)

In talking more with my sister, who gets more of the medical low down from my dad, they are concerned that the barium swallow that he has to go through tomorrow to make sure there isn't any leak will constipate him. The doctor or assistant that he absolutely loves told him just to drink plenty of water after. Um, plenty of water? He barely drinks water now because he has to have the nutrients for what little he can fit into his stomach.

We are worried about the blockage and then he will have to be on liquids only for three weeks while it goes through.

Any suggestions or remedies?

Thank you all,
Beth :)
Daughter of Roy
dx 06/17/11 T3N1M0
Ivor Lewis Robotic 10/07/11
NED

Comments

  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #2
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    I have the Barium swallow
    I have the Barium swallow every 6 mths. I drink a lot of water the day before and start immediately after the swallow. This is very important to flush the bariun out. I've never had a problem with it, but everyones system is different.
    I have to drink lots of water after a ct scan or I experience a lot of stomach pain.
    Good Luck on the swallow,
    Sandra
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #3
    Options
    Sip water all day long
    Beth,

    I have had numerous CT scans with barium swallow since my surgery. I was on a six month cycle, I am now on a one year cycle. I try to drink as much water as possible after the scan. I know it is difficult with all the other meals that are required to get sufficient calories but I have found if I keep a bottle of water with me at all times that day, and sip constantly during the day. I do not have any issues.

    They give me two large bottles to drink. One to drink three hours prior; and one just prior to the exam. I remind them that I have an abbreviated digestive system and I only drink about 2/3 of what they give me.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #4
    Options
    Sip water all day long
    Beth,

    I have had numerous CT scans with barium swallow since my surgery. I was on a six month cycle, I am now on a one year cycle. I try to drink as much water as possible after the scan. I know it is difficult with all the other meals that are required to get sufficient calories but I have found if I keep a bottle of water with me at all times that day, and sip constantly during the day. I do not have any issues.

    They give me two large bottles to drink. One to drink three hours prior; and one just prior to the exam. I remind them that I have an abbreviated digestive system and I only drink about 2/3 of what they give me.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #5
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    Rapid Roy the Harley Dude!
    My husband has been so wondering how long before he could be back on his bike so reading your post was Wonderful! Thank you! Sounds like your dad is doing great and hopefully he'll fly through the barium swallow test.

    Adjustments are sure to be necessary but very doable - and if he's back on the Harley - knees in the breeze - Yee Ha!

    Give him a big hug from the other Harley people and tell Safe Ride Bro!

    Judy
  • BobHaze
    BobHaze Member Posts: 161 Member
    #6
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    I didn't have that problem
    I'd tell your Dad not to worry too much about consipation which, considering everything else that's going on, would be the least of his problems! I haven't experienced that particular problem, altho like others have said, I sip a lot more water before and after the procedure to flush the barium out of my system.

    I live in MA and my surgeon told me at my 3 week post-MIE checkup that I could ride my Harley after 3 months if I felt I was up to it. We've had such a mild winter that it was tough to not ride, but I waited just about 3 1/2 months, too, and I was fine, although I was really careful whenever I stopped so I wouldn't do a "Laugh-in." lol

    I'm 4 months post-op now and I found that after 3 months, and after several "oops" situations where I ate too much or, more frequently, too fast, my stomach (what's left of it) seems to have stretched or something and I can eat more now than I could before. I don't know if there's a difference for Ivor Lewis patients, but I bet your Dad will find the same thing if he's careful and works his way up to it. Of course, Harley riders aren't necessarily known for their eating discipline, are we? :-)

    Bob
    T1aN0M0
    Dx 8/03/11
    MIT 9/23/11
  • Luvs24
    Luvs24 Member Posts: 75
    #7
    Options
    BobHaze said:

    I didn't have that problem
    I'd tell your Dad not to worry too much about consipation which, considering everything else that's going on, would be the least of his problems! I haven't experienced that particular problem, altho like others have said, I sip a lot more water before and after the procedure to flush the barium out of my system.

    I live in MA and my surgeon told me at my 3 week post-MIE checkup that I could ride my Harley after 3 months if I felt I was up to it. We've had such a mild winter that it was tough to not ride, but I waited just about 3 1/2 months, too, and I was fine, although I was really careful whenever I stopped so I wouldn't do a "Laugh-in." lol

    I'm 4 months post-op now and I found that after 3 months, and after several "oops" situations where I ate too much or, more frequently, too fast, my stomach (what's left of it) seems to have stretched or something and I can eat more now than I could before. I don't know if there's a difference for Ivor Lewis patients, but I bet your Dad will find the same thing if he's careful and works his way up to it. Of course, Harley riders aren't necessarily known for their eating discipline, are we? :-)

    Bob
    T1aN0M0
    Dx 8/03/11
    MIT 9/23/11

    Thank you all!
    Not sure the results yet, but wanted to thank you all and let you know I did share your comments with Dad. He rode with the Rolling Thunder the other day. He was tired, but was honored to be a part of it. I updated my profile to include his picture!

    We learned that if there was any side effect of any new medicine that Dad tried, he would have it. (Luckily not severe, but it was there.) So my sister over reacts, I mean, is pro active to make sure dad takes all the precautions necessary for any side effect. I am going to find out what he did and if he did experience any of the side effects.

    He is doing really well. Says the only pain he is in is self induced - yes, when he forgets to stop eating, doesn't chew enough, doesn't concentrate on eating... stuff like that. That is so minor considering what it was, and could be.

    We are blessed.

    Will share the results when I get them.

    Beth
    Daughter of Roy
    T3N1M0
    Ivor Lewis 10/07/11

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