Barium swallow test--I am freaking out!

It sounds like the benefits of the test outweigh the risks for your DS, Hobber. I think it's considered fairly low risk, with the level of radiation being pretty low compared to other diagnostic exams. This website (https://hps.org/documents/meddiagimaging.pdf) lists a few tests, and as you can see it's the lowest radiation level:


Complete Exams:

Effective Dose
mSv (mrem)

Intravenous Pyelogram (kidneys, 6 films) 2.5 (250)
Barium Swallow (24 images, 106 sec. fluoroscopy) 1.5 (150)
Barium Enema (10 images, 137 sec. fluoroscopy) 7.0 (700)
CT Head 2.0 (200)
CT Chest 8.0 (800)
CT Abdomen 10.0 (1,000)
CT Pelvis 10.0 (1,000)
Angioplasty (heart study) 7.5 (750) - 57.0 (5,700)
Coronary Angiogram 4.6 (460) - 15.8 (1,580)

I honestly would not worry about it. Your little boy will be fine! Just hope they can get some answers for you.

Thanks for that info, RC! I worry because he is so small, and that seems like a lot of radiation for someone so young. Also, because he didn't have the defect they were looking for, now I wish we had tried other things first and used the test as a last resort. I know the doctor was ruling out something serious, but I wish there had been another way to know that he was okay.

Oh no how scary, I would be totally livid as well, regardless of whether it is safe or not you should have been given all the info before they asked you to make a decision.

I'm so glad this isn't what he has, on the plus side at least you know for certain, and this one test is probably a lot less stressful for him in the long run than going through a ton of other tests, and maybe ending up doing the barium after anyway, if that makes sense.

My LO used to choke an gag from my letdown a lot too, I mean really choke. But my right boob was like a lethal weapon I used to shoot milk across the room at the cat when I was bored... ok now I sound like weirdo AHEM

Will be praying he is all ok and his reflux sorts itself out soon, I think you did the best thing <3

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Originally Posted by HopefulMonster

Oh no how scary, I would be totally livid as well, regardless of whether it is safe or not you should have been given all the info before they asked you to make a decision.

I'm so glad this isn't what he has, on the plus side at least you know for certain, and this one test is probably a lot less stressful for him in the long run than going through a ton of other tests, and maybe ending up doing the barium after anyway, if that makes sense.

My LO used to choke an gag from my letdown a lot too, I mean really choke. But my right boob was like a lethal weapon I used to shoot milk across the room at the cat when I was bored... ok now I sound like weirdo AHEM

Will be praying he is all ok and his reflux sorts itself out soon, I think you did the best thing <3

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Thank you, I wish I had put a post (or asked around) about the gagging and choking before I was sent to the specialist! I am so angry at myself. My doctor just assumed it was a reflux issue, as babies with reflux can have the same symptoms. I wish I had googled it, because when I just looked up Le Leche League's website about it, and saw the symptoms of overactive let down, it is all the symptoms my baby has to a T. I am SO ANGRY that I didn't find this out before, and that my doctor didn't recognize it. All this worry could have been prevented and my son wouldn't have been exposed to that damn stupid radiation test. I am sick to my stomach over it. :(

My son was diagnosed with GERD. They prescribed Lansolapole (sp?) and after a year he has no problems!

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Originally Posted by Hobbermittens

Thank you, I wish I had put a post (or asked around) about the gagging and choking before I was sent to the specialist! I am so angry at myself. My doctor just assumed it was a reflux issue, as babies with reflux can have the same symptoms. I wish I had googled it, because when I just looked up Le Leche League's website about it, and saw the symptoms of overactive let down, it is all the symptoms my baby has to a T. I am SO ANGRY that I didn't find this out before, and that my doctor didn't recognize it. All this worry could have been prevented and my son wouldn't have been exposed to that damn stupid radiation test. I am sick to my stomach over it. :(

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Honestly I would never try to diagnose my child from something I googled and try to "fix it" at home..... You did the right thing by taking him to the Dr...imagine how upset you would be if you "determined" it was something and something really bad could've happened because of that. The small "risk" that is exposed for radiation IMO far outweighs the other risks of not having him tested..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BabyCakesTor

Honestly I would never try to diagnose my child from something I googled and try to "fix it" at home..... You did the right thing by taking him to the Dr...imagine how upset you would be if you "determined" it was something and something really bad could've happened because of that. The small "risk" that is exposed for radiation IMO far outweighs the other risks of not having him tested..

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I understand what you are saying, and you are right I guess, but the thing is, if I had waited to go to the specialist or even waited to have the test, I think things would have gotten better on their own. :(

Has anyone else had a baby get this test?

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My son had this done when he was 5 months old. He's now turning two and perfectly fine. He also had severe issues with reflux and swallowing thin liquids. We ended up having to put him on, I think, nectar consistency. My insurance would not pay for the Simply Thick, so we had to switch him to formula and do rice cereal. He turned into a chunky baby but at least he could eat, and that was the important part to me. :)