Posted 8/29/2009 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Intuitouch,
Welcome to Healing Well! I'm glad that you've found threads that are helpful to you. This is a great forum, because there are a lot of active members who have stayed around to help others the way they were helped. When I was looking for answers I found this positive, helpful, wonderful group of friends, who were always happy to answer questions and support me in my quest for healing--they always made me feel welcome and accepted. There are so many inactive and negative forums on the internet, that I was thrilled to find this one. It's the best, hands down.
Your description sounds very familiar--very much like so many that have been posted here. I'm glad you're getting an endoscopy. I've had two--one lightly sedated (unlike Joy, I was aware of the test the whole time--you can ask to be put out--I personally would rather be less sedated, so there isn't a long recovery time.). The second endoscopy I had about a year ago, I had without any sedation--just a very skilled nurse who talked me through. I had an IV, so sedation could have been administered at any time, but I opted out--again, because I didn't want to waste a day being tired from sedation. It's really not a difficult test. Mind over matter...don't let yourself worry about it.
Joy described the motility study (Manometry) perfectly. You'll probably read lots of horror stories about it on the internet, because it has to be done without sedation, and it's definitely not pleasant. It's not all that bad, though. You need to remember to focus on your breathing. Count to yourself..."In, two, three, four...out, two, three, four"...slowly breathing, and focusing completely on that. Imagine a happy place and visualize it in your mind.
The hardest thing about the test is that you can't swallow in between commands, and since there's something in your throat, you naturally want to swallow. If you do, it takes that much longer to get through with the test--so BREATHE!
The manometry (motility study) is important...it can measure whether or not your swallowing reflex is strong, and can tell how your LES (the valve that holds the acid in your stomach) is working--how strong it is, or if it's weak, or even wide open. It's very important information for your doctor. Also, they can use the measurements if they want to do one more test--the 24 hour PH monitor, which monitors how much reflux that you have in a 24 hour period.
Good luck, Intuitouch. You'll do just fine with your tests--don't worry even a moment.
Be sure to ask any additional questions you might have, and let us know how things go.
Take care,
Denise