Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

You are so sweet! Thanks so much for the encouragement...I have to say I am in a very good mood now, even though I feel disgusting in my belly because I got through it and I faced my fear and it made me a stronger woman. I am also delighted to finally, after ten years of suffering, being able to get some real info on the beast in my belly.
In answer to your questions...they didn't shake me AT ALL. They have this weird bed that can stand vertical and horizontal and you start off standing vertical and thats when you down a shot of bubbling stuff to give you gas and then immdiately a shot of barium. I am not going to lie to you, the barium is like nothing I have ever tasted, its consistency is like thick glue and I will confess that taking the gas forming stuff and then the cup of barium which they made me down quickly - I weeped. I thought I may throw up because they don't allow you to burp. But its not TERRIBLE.
Instead of shaking you they make you lie on your belly, then your side, then your back, then your other side etc etc...so the rolling around coats your stomach.
Are you just having your stomach checked out or your small intestine too? If you are also having your small intestine..they make you drink WAY more barium...some of it is a bit thinner in consistency but equally disgusting in my opinion. Its a bit like fear factor. One of my biggest problems was that I am really little and only eat small meals, so its hard for me to consume that quantity of ANYTHING let alone something I HATE!
But I am here, alive, but tired.
I am not going to work today, but I tend to be kind to myself in general. I want to be home to drink loads of fluids and then take milk of magnesia tonight (as they instructed) so I can poo all this stuff out. I want it OUT!!! I am very curious and a little apprehensive of the poos BUT your nerves of the poos will go away simply because this stuff is so disgusting, you will want it out ASAP!
It really is worth doing. I can tell you about going to work, that you will feel sluggish, like you are full of cement...but you won't have your head in the toilet or anything, so in essence you can do gentle work, but not rush around. That is impossible.
Good luck...I'll keep you up to date on my poos if you like!!
XXXXThanks for your encouragement, it means a lot!

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Feel the fear and do it anyway!

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