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December 2013 Moms
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Upper GI Series :(

F47F47 member
in December 2013 Moms
My little guy has been struggling with digestion issues his whole life (6 weeks...). His pedi began treating him for reflux, but unfortunately his condition hasn't improved much. He just seems to be miserable when he's awake (which is often). She recommended an Upper GI Series (barium swallow + x ray) a few weeks ago. We scheduled it and of course he started acting better, so the doc said it would be fine to postpone the test and keep an eye on him.

He had a few good days but the last 2 weeks have been rough. So, his scan has been rescheduled for Thursday morning. The doc wants to rule out any anatomical issues before continuing to treat him for just reflux. She's pretty confident the test won't show any major problems with his GI tract, but feels this is the safest next step.

I'm dreading taking him. I have to skip his morning feed (he will be so pissed) and then he'll have to drink the Barium solution from a bottle and the x ray will track it through his system. I hate exposing him to the radiation from the x ray. I hate that he'll have to drink a nasty Barium solution. I just hate it all. I know this isn't a huge deal in the grand scheme of things and it could certainly be worse. But, my poor little guy! I'm hoping this is harder on me than it is on him.

Has anyone else gone through this with their baby? If so, I'd love to hear your experience.
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Re: Upper GI Series :(

  • forrystarforrystar member
    I'm an xray tech, and we do these exams a lot on pediatrics. It should be a fast test and we use the lowest pulsed dose of radiation possible. You can wear lead and be in the room with him. The barium is a white chalky consistancy and it'll be fed to him via bottle, it shouldn't be too bad for him and most times they suck it right down. They won't need for him to drink a ton of it either. It's a great study for diagnosis and a good first step. Good luck!
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  • FutureMrsCaesarFutureMrsCaesar member
    Sorry you have to deal with this.  And although you're right, it probably isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things it certainly is stressful now.  I'm certain that it is harder on you than him because he doesn't know how to worry yet!  So the worst part for him is going to be missing his breakfast like you said.  And it's really good that he doesn't have to be put under.  Best of luck to both of you!!
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  • F47F47 member
    forrystar said:
    I'm an xray tech, and we do these exams a lot on pediatrics. It should be a fast test and we use the lowest pulsed dose of radiation possible. You can wear lead and be in the room with him. The barium is a white chalky consistancy and it'll be fed to him via bottle, it shouldn't be too bad for him and most times they suck it right down. They won't need for him to drink a ton of it either. It's a great study for diagnosis and a good first step. Good luck!
    Thanks for this information - it makes me feel a lot better. Glad to hear that most babies drink the barium with no problem. I wondered if that was often an issue.
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  • forrystarforrystar member
    You're welcome. Xray techs are very sensitive when it comes to peds and examinations, and know it's hard on the parents. Just know the hardest part may be holding him still on the table while they use the live xray 'fluoroscopy'. That's probably when he'll start crying, but nothing will hurt him during the exam. He might not like being held still though!
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  • F47F47 member
    edited January 2014
    forrystar said:
    You're welcome. Xray techs are very sensitive when it comes to peds and examinations, and know it's hard on the parents. Just know the hardest part may be holding him still on the table while they use the live xray 'fluoroscopy'. That's probably when he'll start crying, but nothing will hurt him during the exam. He might not like being held still though!

    :( Oh, I'm sure he won't. But good to know what to expect. @forrystar how long is the X Ray portion on average. I was told anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour...?
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  • noslen0519noslen0519 member
    Poor mama! Good luck and be strong! Hopefully it will be helpful in getting to the bottom of the problem so he will be more comfy. 
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  • forrystarforrystar member
    Whoa, no 15 mins of xray time is way too much exposure. The whole exam could take 15-30 depending on how he drinks and how fast it moves through and the picture portion of it. Maybe 3 mins of xray exposure, tops. I wouldn't worry about cancer or anything from that either. It's complicated but the chances of it causing chromosomal damage or cancer is very very slim to none. We eat radon in our food, and get radiation exposure from the sun. So we're always around it; this will be like a plane ride to NY and back for your LO. Sorry to ramble on but I hope it goes well for you all!
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  • Red_DahliaRed_Dahlia member
    Big hugs! I had a similar situation with my first child. She needed a VCUG at 5 days old and I was really scared. She had to be catheterized, filled with contrast through the catheter and then they did the x-ray/flouroscopy. PP is right, the techs were SO awesome, and the hardest part was holding her down. My mom came with me and actually held DD down for me (so I could watch the screens, and because I was terrified she would hate me for it (totally irrational, I know!). It was over really quickly, and the doc came in and explained the results immediately. Big Hugs mama!!!
    DD born March 2011
    DS born Dec 10, 2013
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