Re: , Noodle Nose

[Guest guest]

Our dear Ann said:

" Can anybody top Deb's story for embarrassment and grossness?

Regard this as our week-end competition. LOL "

Possibly, but there is no humor here, just a lesson of awareness. 

Back in the " dark ages of mediine " in 1982, (alright, in 25 years they will be

talking

about 2008 being the " dark ages " also; alright, end of humor), the doctor in NYC

failed

at the " gold standard " of achalasia testing by being unable to complete the

manometry. 

He then sent me for a barium swallow.  A month ago when I had it done, I just

drank from

one 6 ounce cup.  Back then it was like a super-sized Mc's drink. 

The technician saw all the classic " bird beak " signs of achalasia and released

me. I felt

 good just getting out of there.

As the day progressed, for reasons that would become apparent, my breathing was

becoming more

labored.  At lunch, in the great city of New York I found myself desperately

spitting out, not just in

bathrooms, but in the middle of mid-town Manhattan.  I had no choice, for not to

do so would leave

me choking and gasping for air.

It continued to worsen.  I could not reach my doctor.  For several hours I had

no break.  I even

considered doing a handstand in the men's bathroom to try to get out whatever

was causing

me this horrible problem.  I could not do a headstand at home, so there was no

reason to

believe I could do one at work.

I felt like I was dying, with less and less air getting to my lungs.  I could

get no relief.  Finally, I called my

wife and parents that I was going to New York Hospital ER.  My gastro doc showed

up.  They quickly

determined what was obvious, but a mystery to me.  How could practically all of

nearly a quart of

barium liquid still be sitting in my esophagus?  How could the techician just

release me with all that

barium still sitting there?  It was like a surgeon closing a patient but leaving

a scissor inside.

Recovery was complete once my esophagus was pumped out.  A horrible memory and a

lesson learned.

 

, Noodle Nose

Thanks , for making me laugh.

Noodle Nose? Is that we should call Deborah from now on? LOL

Can anybody top Deb's story for embarrassment and grossness?

Regard this as our week-end competition. LOL

 

I am no contender for the title as the worst thing I have ever done is chuck up

in the street, but I did it once in Malta, so does that count as a minor

grossness?

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> Recovery was complete once my esophagus was pumped out. A horrible memory and

a lesson learned.

>

I am not sure which is worse. To have it not go down or to not be told

to drink a lot after having that thick barium drink. In this heat and

dry air we have here I sometimes end up getting dehydrated. The barium

drink can end up as a brick at the other end when that happens. I didn't

end up at the ER but I can see where others would. I found a way to deal

with it. I don't want to go into detail, but as you said, " A horrible

memory and a lesson learned. "

Not all barium drinks are the same and some don't need to be fallowed

with a lot of water but it is good to ask.

notan