#barium swallow

[terrificpairofcomiclads]

I have to have this horrible swallow scan thing at the doctors tomorrow and my god, I’m so scared. Not for the test, more for the result.

So, could people send me their fave Dan and Phil stuff. Like clips, videos, pictures. Anything. I need to keep my mind off tomorrow. Please

[clatterbane]

And, more update come Monday:

[clatterbane]

Another thing where I am actually hoping that I will be able to post properly about it later, but I ate much better yesterday evening and lunch/supper today!

So, that was at least a thing. And I am certainly hoping and planning to order the same thing tomorrow, if none of the other pureed options look safe.

(And of course nobody thought to mention that there was a pureed menu, because it isn't the Official Gluten Free Menu...)

I imagine I would get sick of that menu pretty quickly, but nerds must. And at least it's not more of the exact same Aggressively Dietetic Lean Cuisine shepherd's pie. 😬

Tomorrow should be the barium swallow test. Hoping that will help figure this out. *fingers crossed*

[dissociacrip]

i'm sure the experience varies between hospitals and practitioners but for folks who are sensitive around textures and tastes like myself: the barium drinks they gave me didn't really have any taste and the chalkiness of it was actually a lot more tolerable than something like the liquid pepto-bismol, i would actually compare it to gaviscon if anything, but gaviscon might actually be more unpleasant

everyone's situation still varies though in terms of what textures they can tolerate but to me it felt very much like "if you can tolerate pepto-bismol and gaviscon then you'll probably be okay"

[bloomingmindfulness]

"The first test I had was a camera down my nose into my throat, but they could see nothing there. Of course, they wanted to just discharge me, but I stood up for myself and was referred for a barium swallow." New blog post - https://www.bloomingmindfulness.co.uk/i-had-a-barium-swallow/

[heather-lee-health]

another GI update

Alright, here we go again.

The results of the esophageal manometry (motility test) were normal which means that a pressure sensitive tube in my esophagus read normal muscle movements as I swallowed 10 sips of water.

The pH impedance test showed low to normal levels of acidity and reflux in my esophagus over a 24 hour period.

Dr. Bowles ordered a barium swallow to assess the possibility of functional swallowing issues.

That test was performed on March 7. A speech pathologist (Dr. Hess) had me stand in front of a xray machine and gave me barium-containing liquids and foods of various consistencies. He said (and showed me) that I have esophageal dysphagia/dysmotility: when I swallow solid foods, they stay in my esophagus for longer than they should, although I seem to be able to swallow liquid normally. Normally, it takes two peristaltic waves to clear the esophagus of solids, but food remains in my esophagus even after that. I also had a peristaltic wave that went backwards, pushing food back up my esophagus. It took several sips of water to finally wash the food down.

I don't know what any of this means yet. I couldn't think of any of the many questions I now have to ask Dr. Hess at the time (What causes this? Will Dr. Bowles likely recommend an endoscopy? Does the food staying in there explain the belching? Did everything look structurally normal? Just the functional problem?).

I should learn more about the results at my follow-up appointment with Dr. Bowles in April. But Dr. Bowles's nurse called me today; Dr. Bowles seems to suspect esophageal hypersensitivity and is having me start on an H2 blocker to reduce acid reflux. I'm confused about this because I don't have any heartburn or pain, and the pH study showed very low acidity, and I have no idea what esophageal hypersensitivity has to do with dysphagia - not that I doubt they can be connected, but what is the connection? I just . . .

I am frustrated. I was feeling hopeful and curious after the barium swallow last Thursday. I was surprised they found something, you know, since the manometry was normal, but I watched it on the screen - watched the food just sit there in my esophagus, watched it inch backward toward my mouth. I felt like I understood what I was being told. And now I don't, and I have to wait a month to get clarity. And I can't even find the results of any of my recent tests or imaging on my patient portal.

So I'm just going to take the Zantac and see what we learn over the next month leading up to my follow-up appointment.

Until next time~ 💙💙💙

[tinyhatonapumpkin]

Just did an upper GI x-ray.... aka drink the metal and crystals on the rotating table while we take pictures of your insides 😀

[keywestlou]

A BEGUILING HISTORY.....THE SOUTHERNMOST HOUSE

Big trees from little acorns grow.

The story of Key West. A tiny island 4 x 2.5 miles. A huge history. Whatever the eye can see, a story anxious to be told.

The Southernmost House. 1400 Duval Street. The corner of Duval and South Streets.  An historic mansion sitting on the Atlantic Ocean.

The Southernmost was built in 1897 by Judge Jeptha Vining Harris. The cost $250,000. An extremely huge sum in those days.

The Judge’s wife was Florida Curry. Florida was the youngest daughter of William Curry, Florida’s first millionaire.

A three story structure. Queen Anne Victorian in design. Open water views. Public rooms, two story balconies, and large glass stained windows to catch the ocean breezes.

Elegant.

The new Curry home had one oddity. Only one bedroom.

Electricity was a novelty at the time. Florida retained the services of Thomas Edison to oversee the design and installation of an electrical system.

Socialization and entertainment on a humongous scale took place during the years the Judge and Florida resided in the House.

Soon came the prohibition years 1919-33. An air conditioning system was installed. Air conditioning as new as electricity was when installed.

The use of the mansion changed. It became a speakeasy. The first floor was turned into a restaurant. The second was utilized for casino gambling. The third for “socializing.”

The Southernmost was visited during the prohibition years by celebrities and gamblers. The House was a stop over on the way to Havana.

The 1940’s found the House being turned into a night club. The Cafe Cayo Hueso. A gathering place for the rich and famous. Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, Truman Capote, Tallulah Bankhead, Louis Armstrong, and Charles Lindberg.

The Southernmost was completely renovated in 1949 for use once again as a private residence. Many dignitaries visited. Spain’s King Juan Carlos, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Jimmy Carter.

Today, the Southernmost House has acquired a new dignity and elegance. One bedroom when constructed in 1897. Now a class 18 room bed and breakfast.

Spent yesterday afternoon at Hot Dog Church with Donna, Terri and friends. A weekly lesbian gathering. Good food and company. A few males are welcome. I am one of them.

The event is held at Aqua’s Back Bar. Lauri in charge.

Later in the evening, I enjoyed a light dinner with Donna and Terri at their home.

Bear is getting big. Only 18 weeks old. Looks full grown already. Well trained. I am still his buddy. He lay next to me with his leg on mine.

Terri singing tonight! She is the featured performer at Aqua’s Dueling Bartenders. The place will be packed with those wanting to hear Terri sing.

I am doing the blog late this morning. I had to be at the hospital early this morning for a barium swallow test. Suspect I will be in Miami in June for surgery.

Enjoy your day!

    A BEGUILING HISTORY…..THE SOUTHERNMOST HOUSE was originally published on Key West Lou