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Going in for Bravo test tomorrow

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 6/15/2010 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
I have to admit I'm scared a little.  I'm afraid I'm going to have a panic attack waking up with that thing stuck to my esophogus.  :(  But will let you all know my experience.
Posted 6/15/2010 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Sending you good vibes and I think you will be OK. The med takes a bit to wear off so hopefully you will wake up slowly and be relaxed.


Kindly,



Kitt
Posted 6/16/2010 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
It will be okay. I had it done and the only time I felt mine was when I turned my head far to the sides. It didn't hurt at all just a slight pulling sensation. Chew your food well and don't swallow big chunks of food and you'll do fine.
Make sure your monitor is on you all the time and doesn't get more than a foot away from you if needed. It will not receive the signal proper if it is too far away.

(((((hugs)))))

Joy
Posted 6/16/2010 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Just got back a little bit ago so I'll tell you my experience while it's fresh. I'm just a slight bit groggy. Trying to catch the spelling errors but forgive me if this becomes a drunken rambling. lol


I got called back, removed my top and bra and got into a gown. I was allowed to keep my bottoms on. Signed papers, went over what was going to happen, medical questions, the usual. I got 3 patches on my chest, they started and IV, put a pulse ox and blood pressure thingy on. Then they wheeled me into the surgical area.



I saw the caplet before I was put out. It was about the length of a vitamin caplet but narrower.



I was put on my side and then I had a plastic ring I had to put around my mouth. Then I was waking up in recovery. I just woke up on my own.



She went over the monitor that looks like a big pager. I needed to keep it at least 3 feet close to me or it'll beep. There's a strap you can put around your neck or you can hook it to your belt too.



She gave me a can of soda and I could feel some discomfort drinking it, but nothing really bothersome. I have a diary to keep track of what times I eat drink, lay down and sleep. That's really about it. I drop off the monitor Friday and the capsule should dislodge in 4-7 days. I'll let you know how I'm doing with eating. After I finish my coffee I'm going to get a chicken sand. I think I should eat things that wound bring on heartburn/gerd so they get a better idea of how bad it can get?



What's really disappointing is that it doesn't show me what my PH level is. It only has a clock on it. Booo. I wanted to monitor how bad my acid got myself. :(



More to come later!
Posted 6/16/2010 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I had the 24 hour ph monitoring which was not a pleasant thing, but I could see how bad my gerd was. Which was interesting. My esophagus ph was consistently that of the stomach 0-2 ph. No wonder I developed Barrett's Esophagus. Had the fundoplication 4 weeks ago and no more reflux. Good luck with the monitoring.
Posted 6/16/2010 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
My monitor had the ph readings on it during my bravo.

I watches my numbers rise and fall during my test. Everytime the numbers went up I'd cough. It was a little strange.

Joy
Posted 6/19/2010 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
Yesterday I had some alcohol AND nachos with chili, onions, hot peppers, etc.  I just wanted to make sure they knew how bad it could get.  I was in soooo much pain when I went to bed.  OMG  I was in agony all night.  I broke down and got into the rolaids around 7:30am.

I can still feel the probe in my esophagus but it's not bad at all.  Nothing at all what I thought.

Posted 6/19/2010 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Boy, that's a deadly concoction! No wonder you were in pain! I'm surprise you still have an intact stomach. Ouch!

That probe does feel kinda odd, but at least you don't have a tube down your nose.

Joy
Posted 6/21/2010 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
3 days after the 4 hr test has been completed.  I still have the probe lodged in my esophogus.  It's not really painful, just annoying.  I still need to chew my food well.  Can't wait for the thing to pass down.

I have to wait a month for my next appointment to find out what my numbers were.  Crazy wait.  I hate it.  At least I can use my PPI again.

Posted 6/21/2010 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
I felt mine for about a week. Don't worry it will fall off very soon.

Joy
Posted 6/26/2010 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Yup it's gone now.  The procedure was a piece of cake.
Posted 6/26/2010 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Nothing to fret over.
The only test I hated was the mamometry test. I gag easily.

Joy
Posted 6/30/2010 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey people..what about the manometry test??What about the ph meter test??I have been continuing to postpone these exams for some years because I am very scared!!!Help!!!I just decided to make them and going to Milan hospital...they told they will use the Bravo System test..but I am the same scared by the manometry test.I suppose they don't use any narcotics...I made my endoscopies in narcosy(I was sleeping),because I was terrified about it!!!

Did you do these exams?I think they are very important to have a correct and clear diagnosis...Please answear me if you understand me!!! shakehead shocked

Posted 6/30/2010 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I will only do the bravo test.  They're not sticking anything down my throat while I'm awake.  I can't tolerate it.
Posted 6/30/2010 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
I went through it. You just have to focus on a distraction. I keep focused on grasping my hands together.
The numbing gel keeps the pain away. You just have to get through the choking feeling. Your not going to throw up or choke to death, it just feels like it.

Joy
Posted 6/30/2010 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Then it's just a throwing up and choking feeling...omg!!!!Is it painful??I'm very anxious...I hope I'll be able to do that exam!!!I'm terrified!!!:(( Don't they give you anything??any drugs to sedate??OMG!!!!
Posted 6/30/2010 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
It's not painful, except in the nose if you have a deviated septum like I had.
If you fight them it takes longer to do the test. My test lasted about 10 minutes, because I did my best not to fight it.
I'm sorry there's no sedation allowed, it will mess up the readings. :(
I have a very easy gag reflex so I was feeling like I was going to throw up. The choking feeling happens when you swallow different than they tell you to do. Believe me the feeling will ease once you lean back for the readings.

Joy
Posted 7/1/2010 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Candybia,

I just had the manometry test yesterday. It is unpleasant, but not painful. It was over in about 20 mins. I was just really happy I didn't have to do the Ph monitoring test and have a probe down my nose for 24hrs!!! I did do the Bravo, and it is a piece of cake! Good Luck!

Michele
Posted 7/1/2010 9:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Michele!!Are you Italian?You have an Italian name lol!!!I'm Italian...let me Know!
Posted 7/23/2010 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Update:

I went back to my gastro doc for the results of my 48 hr Bravo.  Now, before I got this I was reading up on what numbers were normal.  I can't find the darn thing now so if you all can help me out it would be much appreciated!

Okay so with these numbers the normal range is like 14?  Normal range of what?  How bad the reflux is?  I'm a little confused.  But day 1 was in the 90s and day 2 was in the 70s.  Worse when laying down even though I sleep on a wedge.  But I was quite aware of that problem as I wake up and have to take tums in the middle of the night.

So I am getting referred to a surgeon 2 hrs away in a large Pittsburgh hospital.  I met the one surgeon in my town that does it and refuse to use him.  His attitude sucks.  Anyway, I'll be getting the wrap done.  Not sure when.  We're having a difficult time right now.  My father-in-law isn't expected to live much longer so my issues are going on the back burner and that's fine with me.  I've been living w/ this for years so waiting a few months to get the wheels going isn't a big deal.

That's where I am right now.  I have to tell you I'm relieved with the test results.  I've been telling him how bad my reflux was but it was like.. I dunno... maybe he thought I was exagerating.  This is like vindication.

Posted 7/26/2010 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Stormienite

I just had tests done at Shady Side Hospital on Thurs.    I had Manometry, 24hr ph wire, and endoscopy.

I took the ph wire out myself and met one of the nurses at Latrobe and she is going to return the monitor for me.   Really saving me a trip to the hospital

I live about an hour away from the hospital.    Which hospital are you going to in Pittsburgh.

I was disappointed that there wasnt any of the acid numbers for me to look at.   I am thinking that maybe that is so I wouldnt push any of the numbers when I would look.     I was supposed to push these numbers when I felt any side effects of the acid reflux.

Hopefully I will hear from the Drs office in about a week to set up an appointment to talk to the Dr.

My problems started sometime the middle of dec.  of course I must have had a problem before that time as I have short segment Barretts.

I also had the TIF surgery done in April and that surgery didnt work for me.   I am sad that didnt work.    I would really like to be getting my knee repaired.

I hope for the best for you.

 

Posted 7/26/2010 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Mitsie..  I'll be going to Alleghany General.  My pulmonologist there recommended the surgeon and has already faxed him all my med history he has.  Then my gastro office called me back today and I gave them the info for the doc so they're sending all their stuff over.

I hope they don't try to make the appointment too soon.  My father in law passed away yesterday morning and the family is pretty much in shambles.

Posted 7/26/2010 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear about your father-in-law.
Posted 7/26/2010 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks couchtater.  It seems everyone in our town knew him.  People are actually sending over catered dinners along with the usual pot roasts, ham, cakes, cookies, omg.  I've never seen so much food and the obit doesn't even go out until tomorrow.  This is all just word of mouth.  My husband already warned me to double up on my anxiety meds because the viewing, funeral (and banquet hall dinner omg) will be wall to wall people.
Posted 7/26/2010 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! He sounds like a much loved man. (((((((((((hugs))))))))
Watch the foods. Don't eat anything that will cause issues.


Joy
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