Has anyone's baby had an upper GI test?

[steph196]

(Sorry if I mentioned any of the following before! My brain is fried!)

The doctor ordered one for C to see if heartburn/indigestion is to blame for his sleep issues. My description of him made the doctor think this was likely and he had reflux as a newborn, so it would make sense. He has his test tomorrow morning at the children's hospital. I am anxious about him drinking the barium. He is so picky and hasn't wanted anything but my milk. I have tried lots of formulas and he will puke when he drinks even a little bit. I finally found that he will take Plum, so I have been giving him a couple ounces of that each day in hopes of him getting used to drinking something other than my milk and making it easier to get the barium in him.

Have any of your babies had this done? Any tips for how to make it easier?

[imimahoney]

Neither of my kids did but I hope it goes well! Keep us posted Hugs!

[steph196]

Thanks Loco Coco and imimahoney! I'm attempting to feed him right now for the last time before his 3 hour fast. He won't take a bottle and he keeps falling asleep while nursing. This should be interesting.

[Deleted]

We haven't, but good luck today! I hope you get some answers.

[tennisgal]

I used to work at a childrens hospital and helped the SLPs and OTs with swallow studies (which were often followed by upper GIs) I think part of the reason to have them fast for 3hrs is so that they will be hungry/thirsty and will be more likely to take what is offered to them. They can flavor the barium (usually chocolate or strawberry syrup) The SLPs were the ones to administer the swallow study with the radiologist in the room to monitor the video, so they are familiar with ways to get the kids to take the barium. They may have to try different cups/straws/syringes etc.
Now, I guess I'm describing the swallow study (not sure if he is having one of those first) and I usually didn't stick around for the upper GI. Also, it's been about 10yrs since I worked there, so not sure if things have changed.
Good luck!

[blane12]

No advice, but I hope it went well!!

[ktstorm]

Poor bud. No advice, but I hope it went well!

[steph196]

Thanks everyone for your support! Cameron did amazing! He drank the barium so easily, which shocked me. He was hungry (just like you said, tennisgal ), so that was helpful. They didn't need to do the second part of the test (small bowel), which is what would have taken 4-6 hours. It wasn't actually supposed to be ordered, so it was nice that it went so much faster. They found that he has a small hernia, which the doctor says is what's causing him to reflux. I am going to call his doctor this afternoon, so we will see what his doctor says about it affecting his sleep and if we need to do anything about it.

[tennisgal]

Glad he did well and that you got some answers!

[TrudyCampbell]

I'm glad it went well and I hope this is a step in the right direction!

[steph196]

Thanks girls! I got a call from his pediatrician this afternoon and he is referring us to the surgeon at children's hospital. I don't want him to have surgery, but I would rather do that than mask it with medication forever.

[Deleted]

I'm glad he did well during the test! I hope the doctor he's going to see can help him.

[onehitwonder]

I'm glad the test went well and hope whatever is to come helps C.