HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

PH testing...nervouse for tube inserted through my nose!

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/8/2011 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
I am doing my PH testing in 2 weeks and the monemetry test in one day. I am nervouse to have tubes inserted in my nose while I am wide awake. Does it hurt?

 

Posted 3/8/2011 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have found that the gag reflex has a lot to do with amount of discomfort you feel with tubes in your nose. If you have a strong one, it will be easier to lay down while they insert it. They use numbing gel in your nose and you can ask for more to be put in between the 2 procedures. I was unable to leave the 24hr monitor in more than 4 hours. I did eat a few bites of soup to show a meal and was laying down for a while to simulate sleep. Unfortunately, I had a cycle of cough, choke and puke that finally led me to pull out the tube. The DeMeester score was 241, so they invalidated it. I then had the 48hr Bravo done. Put in while I was out of it and no discomfort during the test period. REMEMBER these are the tests that will determine your treatment and whether you qualify for surgery. They are a necessary evil. What would you do to have yourself on the road to better health?
Peggy
Posted 3/8/2011 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
I've had it done twice. It's really worth having it done because they can tell so much from it. I was able to keep the tube in for 24 hours, but I took some painkillers which numbed the sensation. When they did mine they were really, really kind and they talked me through the whole procedure. They numb your nose and your throat and will give you extra if you need it. To be honest with you, the thought of it is far worse than the reality. Just remember why you are having it done. Be brave, and it will soon be over. Kat x
Posted 3/8/2011 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Katlan....you are allowed to take pain killers while you have the tubes in?
Posted 3/8/2011 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
After the tube was in, the 24 hour one. I took the painkillers when I got home. Kat x
Posted 3/8/2011 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Have you asked for the BRAVO capsule instead of the wire test?

I didn't like the Manometry test either. They didn't tell me what was going to happen until the started running the tube. :(

The main thing is to follow the directions exactly. Try your best not to fight it. I know it will be hard but it's so important in determining you wrap size. When they lay you down it's not quite as bad. Breath through your mouth and try not to swallow at the wrong time. The water drinking will help it go down easier. During the testing go to your happy place. I focused on holding the nurse's hand during it.
Posted 3/8/2011 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
My boyfriend is going to come with me...im sure i can get through it...but i am NOT looking forward to it...thanks for not sugar coating it :)
Posted 3/8/2011 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
My husband came with me and it really helped having him there. We had a laugh and a joke with the doctor and the nurse and it all seemed not so bad somehow. Kat x
Posted 3/8/2011 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
It helps to have someone with you during something as stressful as this. My test only took about 20-30 minutes.
Warning your face will turn blood red for awhile. It sent my blood pressure up from the stress.
Posted 3/9/2011 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!
I wrote a post about my ph impedance test.
I was very afraid,frightened...but I can say and repeat that the ph wire is very easy to manage...our sympthoms are much worse!!!Believe me!
It was a "piece of cake"for me...
I didn't have the manometry test because I was terrified and I felt pain in my nose,because of my deviated septum...they told me this test was not so important for me...I don't Know...anyway I'm very sorry I could not have that test done... mad I was silly tongue
Posted 3/9/2011 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Am I correct that the wire and the capsule are two different ways of doing the same (PH) test? If so, why would anyone use the wire?
Posted 3/9/2011 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
My feeling is, If you are being evaluated for GERD, they should put the Bravo in when they do your endoscopy. Get it over all at once, instead of dragging things on. As my first doc said, he can see the damage done by acid, but can't see the acid itself. There really should be a way to cut down on the time and annoyance associated with making the diagnosis and treatment plan.
Posted 3/9/2011 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm in the Uk and wasn't offered an alternative to the tube. Kat x
Posted 3/9/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
mike, some doctors are not ready to accept the Bravo. They think the wire is a better indicator. The bravo is fairly new and is tricky to insert in the right spot. Some people have complained that their doctor or the nurse placed it improper and caused them some pain during the reading. My doctor was an expert in inserting it and I had no pain what so ever.
Posted 3/9/2011 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
The Bravo is no walk in the park either. I was forced to have mine put in awake. I had to be off PPIs for 10 days, with a wide open LES too. The nurse - no doc - failed twice shoving this giant pill down my throat with me sitting up. My gag response is just to awful. A resident (I demanded that an MD be present) suggested they let me lie on my side, and I was able to hold still long enough for her to pull the pin release. And that hurts a lot too! The nurse would have just kept on trying with me pulling away every time, even though I was trying desperately to get the test done. I'd been told I could not get the operation without the test. It has to be pinned onto the esophageal wall. Yes, with a pin! It falls off when the tissue tears apart around the pin and lets go. Mine lasted 24 hours, not 48. It was impossible for me to eat while it was in. I was able to sip a little water. I lost 15 lbs.

I kept a log of the readings along with the mandatory log of the foods you eat and what you drink. Good thing I did. The surgeon said I didn't have to have it redone. All my readings were lower than pH of 2, mostly 1.2 or 1.0, pure stomach acid.
Posted 3/9/2011 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi bruner21,
I have had the manometry and 24hr wired monitor twice. Honestly, they're a challenge, but certainly manageable.

The last wired monitor I was given had multiple sites to read...one at the base of the wire, and two others further up. They were looking for reflux that could bother my lungs/vocal chords.

My last PH monitor was much more difficult because I had volunteered (agreed) to have 10 additional biopsies (on top of the ones that my doc took) taken for an esophageal study they were doing in the hospital where I had my endoscopy done. Not a good idea.

I had bad spasms the entire 24 hours. That was not fun. At the end, it didn't even give reliable information because when I went to get the results of all the testing I was told that "the computer had a virus" and it invalidated that test. So...the normal biopsies...no problem. Extra ones? No way. Next time I'd wait and have the PH monitor placed at a different time.

Anyway...during my first wired PH monitor none of that happened. All was very easy to get through (except for the heartburn as Alcie said).

Don't worry. You can do it.
I'm sure I'll have more of these tests in the future. Those of us with GERD and other issues caused by it are privileged to have all kinds of fun tests!

Good luck, and just remember to breathe! Relax as much as you can and follow the directions of the techs. When I had my manometry one of them said to breathe with my mouth wide open, to keep me from swallowing when I shouldn't. Actually, that worked pretty well.

Take care and good luck!
Denise
Posted 3/10/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your input!
Posted 3/11/2011 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi bruner21,I replied to you in the other post;)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply