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Bravo 48 Hour Test Vs Probe 24 Hour Test

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Posted 3/9/2013 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
i need one of these i had the bravo 2-3 years ago and i had terrible chest pain during it and it took a very long time for the thing to fall off

my question is is the probe 24 hour test any better to deal with i know it has to go in your nose and down and has to be that way for 24 hours

but if its really just that i might want to deal with that instead of pain that can last a week or more

so im looking people that have either had both or just had the 24 hour test to let me know how it is so i can make the right choice for me
Posted 3/9/2013 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
I have had both done a couple times and even though it is not comfortable I have been told the probe is more accurate.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 3/9/2013 3:50 AM (GMT 0)

opnwhl4 said...
I have had both done a couple times and even though it is not comfortable I have been told the probe is more accurate.

Take care,
Bill

interesting

which was worse for you comfort wise bravo or probe?

and can you explain your discomforts with the probe?
Posted 3/9/2013 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
It's strange how so many people complain that the BRAVO hurt them. I had no pain whatsoever with mine. The only time I was even aware it was there was when I turned my head to the side. I would feel a slight tug but no pain.
I wonder if the doctor or nurse who did it accidently pinched up too much skin or hit a nerve when they put it in?
Posted 3/9/2013 5:22 AM (GMT 0)

couchtater said...
It's strange how so many people complain that the BRAVO hurt them. I had no pain whatsoever with mine. The only time I was even aware it was there was when I turned my head to the side. I would feel a slight tug but no pain.
I wonder if the doctor or nurse who did it accidently pinched up too much skin or hit a nerve when they put it in?

i dont know but im not sure im willing to chance it again even with it being different drs involved thats why im checking out peoples comments on the probe

even if i did it again and say i had pain last time i had to alter what i was eating till it was gone therefor its not a reliable test for me then if im not eating what i normally would
Posted 3/10/2013 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
For me the probe was worse. With the bravo I hardly felt except when eating I could tell something was there, but it never hurt.
With the probe the worse part is when eating. It tends to pull a bit on your nostril, but not painful just annoying.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 3/10/2013 1:10 AM (GMT 0)

opnwhl4 said...
For me the probe was worse. With the bravo I hardly felt except when eating I could tell something was there, but it never hurt.
With the probe the worse part is when eating. It tends to pull a bit on your nostril, but not painful just annoying.

Take care,
Bill

to me that doesnt seem to be bad i rather deal with annoying for 24 hours vs possibly having that pain for well more then a week

so im still leading towards for probe thanks for your input

any other people please tell me about your experiences
Posted 3/10/2013 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

In my opinion, having a small flexible Ph/Impendence probe down my esophagus for 24 hours is preferable to having a foreign device attached to the directly to the esophagus, as it is with the Bravo system.

IMO, the real only advantage of the Bravo, is that it gives you more feedom, letting you take a shower.

Here are just some problems concerning the Bravo Ph/Impedence testing -

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2896756/

I was offered it and declined, opting for the traditional approach.

FWIW,

Gastricman :-)

 

Posted 3/11/2013 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I perfer the probe, just don't eat anything sticky or you'll be sorry.
Posted 3/11/2013 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all.

If you go with the probe, you will feel a slight tugging in your nostril, due to the peristalsis of the esophagus. It is a bit annoying because the probe lays next to some very sensitive nasal surfaces.

It's really no big deal, but I do agree with DB (above) to say away from choking/sticky foods.

Hope this helps.

GM

P.S. It feels really good when the probe is removed after the test. :)
Posted 3/11/2013 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
what would you classify as those sticky foods to stay away from for the 24 hours?

any idea what happens if you sneeze lol
Posted 3/11/2013 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
iamloco,

Sticky......peanut butter, almost anything real soft and chewy and no gum (in case you swallow). I made sure I didn't sneeze, I can only assume if you do, you won't do it again. lol

Posted 3/12/2013 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Im havin mine wednesday!! Ill let you know but today i had the manometry and sucked big time somi dont have high hopes for this next one!! LOL
Posted 3/12/2013 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
i know the bravo doesnt but doesnt anyone know if the probe will see bile if its bile causing the problem
Posted 3/12/2013 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
iamloco724

There is a new probe that's being used that will read bile and tell how high it goes up the throat. I can't remember the name of it. I am not sure if it's the standard one used yet or not.

Along with peanut butter very soft bread will stick to it as well. It helps to have something to drink near you at all times as the probe will pull when you swallow and your throat is dry.

Just a bt of ice for those having the manometry done. When you are doing your swallows hold your tongue up hard to the roof of your mouth or stick it out slightly and hold it with your teeth. I have found this helps to stop you from double swallowing and adding more swallows to the test.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 3/12/2013 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi iamloco724,

The main thing with the Probe is that you need to eat normally, since it is measuring the intraesophageal bolus transport and well as incidence of acidic Ph. As you swallow, the peristalsis of the esophagus will tug on the probe which can be annoying. From my experience, staying away from foods that are sticky or dry (hard to swallow) will make the entire "experience" easier for you. Drinking water is important before and after bites as it "lubricates" the probe (and esophagus) making the bolus easier to swallow. Taking smaller bites does help.

Be sure to live normally during the 24hr period, even if it brings on reflux - that's the whole idea.

You will have a digital data recorder with buttons to indicate normal position (i.e. Sitting up or Standing) and Supine (which is laying flat.) It's really not that hard and I'm sure that the doctor or technician will explain everything to you. I suggest having your own questions written down on paper, so you don't forget.

One last thing. Do not pull on the probe or attempt to adjust it. It will probably be taped to your nose and neck.

Keep the data recorder slung from your shoulder and close to you when sleeping, so as not to induce movement of the probe by turning and tossing. Also, don't let the recorder fall down, as it might pull your probe out, under weird conditions.

Hope it goes well!

FWIW,

Gastricman

P.S. Bill, If you remember the name of the device that measures Akaline (bile) please post it here. Thanks.

Posted 3/12/2013 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
GM or Bill,

If bile is akaline, how does it do damage when refluxed?

Posted 3/12/2013 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi DB,

Pure water has a Ph of 7 (neutral).

Acid should reside in the stomach, and Alkaline (basically) in the intestines. Both are corrosive in their non-native environments, which have controls to contain them. Ph is an acronym for Potential Hydrogen. The Ph scale is from 1 to 14 (1 being most acidic and 14 being most akaline.)

Here is a good article from The New York Times which explains more about Bile Reflux...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/health/30brod.html?_r=0

Hope this helps...

GM

Posted 3/12/2013 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thx GM,

Having acid reflux is bad enough and then adding non-acid reflux (pepsin & bile), is just overwhelming at times.

Posted 3/12/2013 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
One plus side of the ph test is also that if it becomes too much you can just pull the thing out yourself.

However, after having only the ph test myself, i would prefer to try the bravo next time :p
Posted 3/12/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I had the Bravo just last week, and my only discomfort was sometimes I felt a little glitch in my chest when eating. I was told this could happen, and it was very minor. I don't know if it has detached or not, but haven't notice that small tinge lately. It was more annoying remembering to record every GERD symptom and the times I ate. Maybe it was your surgeon.
Posted 3/12/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I think that I should clarify some of my previous posts in this thread. :)

The Bravo pH monitoring capsule is made by a company called Given Imaging...

http://www.givenimaging.com/en-us/Innovative-Solutions/Reflux-Monitoring/Bravo-pH/Pages/default.aspx

The device does not measure Impedence (also known as the "Z" factor) which measures bolus transit and acid exposure at various depths in the esophagus. Most of my GI doctors wanted both pH and Impedence (Z) during the entire test and felt that the entire study would be far more accurate with these two data components.

Therefore, I had the Digitrapper pH-Z monitoring system (same company,) which is catheter/probe based and goes down into your espohagus via a nostril for the same amount of time, 24 hours. In some cases, a more intensive study might be warranted so the study time would be extended another 24 hours for a total of 48.

Here is the link for the Digitrapper pH-Z monitoring system...

http://www.givenimaging.com/en-us/Innovative-Solutions/Reflux-Monitoring/Digitrapper/Pages/default.aspx

It is up to the GI doctor as to what test would be best for a particular patient.

Each test has it's own risks and benefits.

Hope this helps clarify any confusion.

Feel well!

Gastricman :-)

Posted 3/12/2013 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
looks like im doing the probe i spoke to my dr

and he also felt relievd cause he didnt want me to have that pain again that happened with the other dr

if it was a minor pain i would be fine with it but it was a crushing pain everytime i swallowed the most intense pain i ever felt and i could barely eat when on the test and the pain last well longer then 48 hours

so where some people think this one can be uncomfortable ive never had the probe so i rather try something new then risk something i already did already and if its more accurate i need that anyway since we are looking at possible surgery
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