Barium sulfate and Constipation: What Users Say

• Gum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2020

For Computed Tomography "I've had plenty of CTs with IV contrast before, but not oral contrast, so I decided to look up what to expect. Mistake. The internet hyped this up as being sludgy cement that tastes awful, and that I should expect to immediately fight the urge to vomit or soil myself. I had the Vanilla Silq flavor/brand, cold, and it was almost indistinguishable from a vanilla Ensure, save for the knowledge it was mildly radioactive but unlikely to grant superpowers. Everyone reacts differently, but most people who had their expectations met at Chili's don't post reviews about it, so you won't find a lot of 'everything went fine and normal and I'm going about my day' posts about barium sulfate. You'll see the nasty and unfortunate stuff though. Anyway, worst milkshake I've ever had, but had no real fallout from it - no nausea or diarrhea, but time will tell about constipation - and would recommend drinking this as infrequently as your doctor will let you."

• Dor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2018

For Computed Tomography "Drank 2 bottles, one last night and one this morning an hour before a CT of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Vanilla flavor wasn't awful, and I didn't have any bad reaction other than some gas, feelings of constipation, and tiredness. Was instructed to drink plenty of water to flush it all out of my system. Drank it chilled, and that seemed to help with the taste. Still had iodine through an IV too, so hopefully the imaging will be accurate and clear."

• Fra...
• January 16, 2018

For Computed Tomography "I took the vanilla flavored, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Drank one bottle 3 hours prior to the scan, another 1/2 bottle an hour before the scan, a 1/2 bottle 30 minutes prior to the scan, and another cup immediately prior to the scan. I had been expecting diarrhea and was surprised to find it made me constipated. I kept drinking water, however, and finally went about 3-4 hours later. If it all helps to find out the problem, it’s definitely worth it!"

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2019

For Computed Tomography "The taste of barium sulfate was unpleasant but bearable. The following day, I was so constipated that my husband considered calling 911. It felt like a metal pipe rupturing my anus. My husband had to administer a mineral oil enema up my rectum in order to relieve myself. I am a newlywed—how humiliating."

• Ama...
• April 23, 2022

For Computed Tomography "Do not take this test unless you absolutely need to. I was constipated right after. I felt like I couldn't belch or pass gas. I ran to the bathroom a lot, only to pass small, tiny stools. I have been on several different laxatives. Then I was only getting tiny, loose bowel movements. I ended up going to the ER, they did an X-ray and CT, and both looked okay. Blood work looked okay, they took urine. It is day 7. I am on day 2 of my period now, not bleeding hardly any in my pad, only when I wipe. Yesterday I had severe cramps all day. I feel so full I can barely eat. I am bloated. It doesn't feel right. Don't do the test."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2024

For Computed Tomography "7:30 am I went to complete my GI checkup. I believe the whole procedure is a bit different in China. We don't have to take extra doses the night before the test, and we take much fewer portions (200-250 cc, a full paper cup in total). It was hard to swallow at first, but tolerable. I drank half of the cup before the test and took the few sips left during the test. I experienced a gassy, stretchy feeling afterward, and the gas persisted for a few hours. I did feel so nauseous that I ate nothing but a hard candy for breakfast. Fortunately, I didn't get diarrhea as expected. It's important to drink plenty of water to avoid constipation. So, don't cancel your appointment for concern over those side effects. They do happen but are still rare. I'm glad that the test has revealed the cause of my upset stomach. The outcomes sure outweigh these weaknesses."