Bravo pH study question

I had the probe inserted yesterday morning and am in the midst of a 48-hour pH study. I'm having what I think are some unusual readings and I'm wondering if anyone knows how to interpret them.

Yesterday I predictably registered low pH (acid reflux) levels after two meals. It started within about an hour after I ate and persisted for at least a couple of hours. Today I have had some "spikes" down into the acid range (usually due to belching which I can't seem to stop), but I have spent much of the day ABOVE a pH of 7.0 which is the normal cutoff (at least that's my understanding). The pH has gone as high as 9.2, has spent some time in the 8 range, and has spent much of the day in the 7.3-7.8 range. Even when the pH is in the 6 range (supposedly normal), I don't feel well. Right now it's at 7.1 and I swear I'm feeling heartburn. Last night when I went to bed, I was having such bad reflux I couldn't get the monitor out of the 2-3 range until I slept on my stomach with my head propped up higher than my body with two pillows. Then ever since I woke up, I've been on the 7+ end of the pH spectrum. Is this indicative of bile reflux?

The other weird thing - I had coffee this afternoon and the pH went UP. My pH hasn't gone below 7 and it's been almost an hour since I had that coffee. That is totally counter-intuitive to me. There was a very small amount of half-and-half in there, but certainly not enough to counteract the acidity of the coffee (I wouldn't think).

Anyone have any ideas what this means?

Thank you for that article link! That's very interesting. Seems consistent with what I experienced, with acid reflux being worse in the earlier part of the night and (possibly) bile reflux being worse later.

I experimented earlier today by having something fatty that would stimulate my gallbladder to produce bile to see what it would do to the pH. So I had a teaspoon of coconut butter. Within a minute, the pH went to 9.2. To me that was pretty convincing. I just think it's weird that yesterday my acid reflux was so much worse after eating and so far today I haven't seen those numbers. I guess when I have dinner I'll see if the acid reflux returns...

Hi fwdmotion,

It's not at all uncommon for results to be inconsistent when having a pH test.  People are often frustrated, because they have a really good day when they want to have a really bad day, so the pH monitor can get a record of what they're experiencing when they suffer. 

When your esophagus is under attack with acid or bile, your body makes extra saliva in an effort to protect it.  I don't think you need to worry about the change in PH...chances are the saliva is just mixing with whatever is coming up, be it acid, or bile.

Good luck with the rest of your test!  Let us know how it goes and what you find out!

Take care,

Denise

 

I'll look forward to hearing what your doc has to say.  Good luck!