HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Bravo test results

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/6/2010 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
The results said I have no reflux. The surgeon said I'm probably having the sensation from food getting stuck. But I don't feel like anything is stuck. I get the reflux feeling even when I don't eat anything. Anyone else have this? He said my wrap is floppy but he doesn't think it's too loose. Also whenever I eat, even just the smallest amount, I feel like I ate a buffet and it lasts for a while. I just feel icky after a few bites.
Posted 3/6/2010 7:15 AM (GMT 0)
Michelle-
As your esophagus heals it can sense normal amounts of acid as pain. I had that the first time around. It took several months for that to stop. I had 2 PH studies to make sure it wasn't truly reflux. Could also possible be a small amount of food sitting there after eating causing the sensation. They thought that might be what I felt also. At least it's good to know the wrap is keeping the levels normal.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 3/6/2010 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bill. I thought since it's been 3 months that it should be pretty healed by now. Did you have the full feeling when you ate? I can take a sip of coffee and it feels like I drank a gallon. I know my stomach is smaller but don't think it's that much smaller.
Posted 3/6/2010 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Oh definitely! In fact I still do. I now figure on taking home at least half my meal if I eat out. For some reason the only thing that doesn't make me feel very full quickly is milk. Water, tea, soda, anything except milk makes me feel very full quickly. I've heard it will stretch out to normal size, but mine isn't doing that at all yet. I don;t believe it did the first time around either. I wounder if it has to do with how much scarring you body does after surgery?

Take care,
Bill
Posted 3/6/2010 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I know I can't eat anywhere near the same amount of food I used to.
This is a good thing for me, because I was prone to overeat.

Joy
Posted 3/7/2010 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Bill, that could be. This is the first stomach surgery I've had so I would think it would be improving by now.

Do you feel "normal" after you eat Joy? After a small bite or two of anything I feel really full, bloated, nauseous. Doesn't matter what it is. So I'm back to barely eating anything again. It's just really frustrating that I FEEL like I'm having reflux but all tests say no. But when the capsule from the Bravo was in place, I could feel it trying to come up, get pressure, and it would stop, just like the few days after I had the wrap done. So I'm not sure if maybe the capsule was preventing the reflux or what. I have to call Monday to schedule the barium test. Ick. I want to be able to eat, even if it is a small amount, and not feel sick.
Posted 3/7/2010 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
Have you had a motility study? and a Stomach Emptying Test?
Posted 3/7/2010 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
I've had the motility test , results came back normal, but not the stomach emptying one.
Posted 3/7/2010 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I can eat up to 6-8 ozs. of food before I get my spasms.

Joy
Posted 3/7/2010 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
What do spasms feel like?
Posted 3/7/2010 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Like someone punched me in the chest with claws extended. (Ouch!)

It's focuses in my breast bone and radiates outward. I've had three of these attacks since the surgery and don't want anymore. Heat and strong painkillers are the only things that eases them.
It's like my whole chest gets a charlie horse. :<

Joy
Posted 3/8/2010 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Oh ouch!!! Ive never experienced that and don't want to! I looked up the stomach emptying study and it sounds more like I have gastroparesis. From what I read, they have you take Reglan which I have but don't like taking it because of the side effects. I'll bring it up when I see the dr next.
Posted 3/8/2010 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I took 5mg of reglan for two months then they upped me to 10mg. I stopped it myself after 4 months. I couldn't extend my arms without dropping things from my hands shaking. I'd wake up with my arms shaking so violently I had to hug myself to calm them. Today I'm left with rubbing my teeth together and doing strange things with my lips.

It is not worth the risk in my opinion to take it.

Joy
Posted 3/8/2010 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
I think I have the 10mg from when I was pregnant. I will get a strong twinge in my side by the bottom of my ribs and once in a while in my shoulder that will make my arm jump. There was another med for it that doesn't mess with the brain, can't remember the name.

For those of you who have had the stomach emptying test, I read you eat/drink something and then the machines scans how long it takes to move through. How long does that usually take? I don't have 5 or 6 hours to sit there.
Posted 3/8/2010 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Mine was done in one hour or less. I sat and watched the morning news on TV and it didn't go off before she dismissed me. It might depend on how fast your stomach empties.

Joy
Posted 3/8/2010 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
I can handle that! What did they give you to eat? I would much rather do that test than the barium one.
Posted 3/8/2010 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Michelle
It took me 4 months to feel mostly normal. I know you're only 3 months out, so I'd wait before doing anything drastic. Your only recourse for food getting stuck is probably dilation, and with a floppy wrap you really don't want to do that! It would negate the whole idea of strengthening the sphincter.

At only 3 months out you are probably still experiencing gas. I have it still too and mine was done in late October, so I'm only 4 1/2 months out. Yes, you may be ABLE to burp, but you probably don't burp normally yet, or even when you have quite a lot of gas. Maybe never. I burp some right after eating or drinking, but there's always some left. I can tell because it's quite noticeable when it starts gurgling around the large intestine ... and beyond.

To limit the gas problem try eating less starchy foods, including vegetables. No, it won't do much for the swalowed gas, which is what you're complaint is about. It will, however, limit some of the bloating in the lower intestine, which presses on everything else. Google for info. Rice does NOT cause gas, so you can start with replacing bread and potatoes and anything with starches with that.


I've found that losing weight helps too. I was already at the top edge of the "normal" for my height. When I read the operative notes I noted that the doc complained of lots of fat in the mediastinum (the area where the esophagus goes up into the chest (and where they had to go to pull down my stomach which was stuck in my chest after the wreck). Since I know that means I also have lots of fat around my heart, I started working on losing a little more to get the the middle range of weight for my height. After taking off another 10 lbs I have lots less bloating and pressure from my stomach, even right after eating. So it's working.

This is the kind of stuff you are not likely to hear from your gastro doc, or I wouldn't bother posting. Good luck and God Bless.
Posted 3/8/2010 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think it's gas. Gas doesn't make me nauseous and I can burp just like I could before the wrap, sometimes louder than my fiance! lol I was able to burp right after surgery. The only things I have been eating is broiled chicken, some noodles once in a while, jello, pudding, pretty much bland again. I wouldn't touch any veggies or fruits yet. As for my weight, I need to gain weight! I'm 5'6" and weight 106. I've lost almost 50 pounds since this gerd thing started a year and a half ago from not being able to eat. I'll see what the dr says about all of this.
Posted 3/8/2010 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Michelle, I had beef noodle soup for my test. Some people here said they gave them a sandwich.
I'm not a soup eater, but that day I was so hungry I could of ate a horse without complaining. :)

Joy
Posted 3/8/2010 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Ha I bet! I was just curious because most of what I read said they give you scrambled eggs. Did you have to fast for 12 hours before? i don't think that would be a problem if the test is scheduled early in the morning.
Posted 3/8/2010 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, no food or water after midnight. I tested at 9:00am.

Joy
Posted 3/9/2010 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I had the stomach emptying test 3 weeks ago at the hospital. I was fasting about 12 hours. I am diabetic and my blood sugar was beginning to drop because of the length of time without eating, which for me can drop quickly to around 50 or lower. Fortunately, this didn't happen. I was asked to eat scrambled eggs (radioactive) and drink 6 ounces of apple juice. I then was "photographed" at various intervals for 4 1/2 hours, which was what I was told to plan for (4 - 5 hours). I had no problems during the test but I had a difficult time after the test for the rest of the day. No energy and burping sulfur eggs for about 24 hours. Then, no problem from the test.

That same day I had an esophageal motility study (iodine injected). I may have had the difficulty I reported above from the iodine, but based on the regurgitation and other things, I think it was from the stomach emptying test.

Hope all goes well.
Posted 3/9/2010 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
I've never head of the esophageal motility study done with iodine. Did they still do the cath?

Why so long on the stomach emptying test? Did you stand in front of the special camera every few minutes? The camera looked like a huge cannon with a dark lens on the front. She would look at a computer and take videos of the radiation as it traveled.

Joy
Posted 3/9/2010 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I got my results in the mail today. It says. During the examination, the nissen appears to be in the appropriate location. Your bravo study also shows no evidence of actual reflux. I believe this is actually related to more of a stasis, or food getting stuck in this area and causing similar irritation. I will take a look at your esophagram and see you back in the office to discuss this further.

I guess I HAVE to do the esophagram. :(
Posted 3/9/2010 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Awwwww! Shoot!

Joy
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply