Esophageal Manometry - HELP

So I went today to get my Manometry test done. First, complication was that I had had a diviated septum surgery just over a year and a half ago. They couldn't get the tube in at first. Took two of them trying both nostrils. They finally got it down some and I though passed my gag reflex (I gag easily). However, as I was trying to take deep breaths, I started gagging so hard, I felt I was suffocating. They tried to go on down, but, my gagger was just too strong. So they pulled it out and said there was no way, I could get it done.

I was in tears, because I tried really hard to get it down. They told me I wasn't the first one this has happened to. I'm suppose to meet with the surgeon next Wednesday and my Gastro doctor that ordered the test was out of the office the rest of the week. So they call the surgeons office to see if he wanted to try to get me scheduled for the barium swallow test. She said that insurance requires the manometry test but if I cannot do it physically they should approve it anyway.

Good thing I didn't eat since yesterday or they would have had a face full. My blood pressure shot up to 153/110 so they made me hang out and calm down some before they let me leave.

Has this happened to anyone else? What did they do? Were you able to get the wrap surgery anyway? I have a hiatal hernia and barrett's not to mention my PPI's and carafate do not cut it all.

I am so upset and frustrated.

Sammi

It was such a terrifying experience for me. I was apologizing to them. They were really nice trying to calm me down. When I got home I had to take a 2 Xanax (which I only use in very rare cases). I was shaking and faint. They mentioned a barium swallow test, but said it is not as accurate and if I just had the upper GI, it pretty much tells them everything. (Except how well I swallow). After they had pulled it out, I said, well my esophagus must work well or I wouldn't be gagging to such a degree. She laughed and said, that's not how it worked. I told her I thought, it was a great theory! She said she agreed. LOL

Hi Sammi,
Sorry you had such a bad experience with the manometry. Like Joy, I do remember someone who was scheduled for an alternative to manometry.

Here's a link to the type of test this member referred to:
www.uptodate.com/contents/esophageal-multichannel-intraluminal-impedance-testing

I also found this alternative measure:
imn.globalacademycme.com/news/internal-medicine-news-family-practice-news/single-view/esophageal-manometry-alternative-effective-when-patients-fail-standard-procedure/f8270dd60a5def59521ab8053c3852b1.html

Hope these two resources are helpful.
Good luck!
Denise

I have called every GI Lab in my town and in Knoxville, TN. None of the hospital do those around here unfortunately. I spoke with one of the nurses that was with me yesterday and she said they did use the pediatric tube on me. I guess I will just plan on meeting with the surgeon anyway next Wednesday and hope the insurance will let him go ahead with the surgery. My symptoms are so extremely bad, surely they will give the go ahead.

Thanks for all the help. I would give it another shot if I absolutely have too. If they would have let me take a xanax before I went in, that might have relaxed my gagger somewhat, who knows.

God Speed,
Sammi

I did ask them and they said they wouldn't sedate me. My gastro doctor is suppose to be back in his office tomorrow. His nurse said she made notes and put it in his PRIORITY stack for when he gets back. Maybe he will be able to come up with something. I am getting a little nervous about the whole situation. I am not only facing the "wrap surgery", I was also told last week by my GYN that I needed to have a hysterectomy. Now, I need to discuss which one needs to happen first. I think the wrap with be the hardest on me from the sounds of it. I don't know how soon after the wrap I will be able to get the other done. I just want it all over with and done, so I can LIVE again.

You know what I mean?

Joe,

When I told the nurse I had a hiatal hernia, barrett's and adult onset of asthma. She thinks they would definitely do the surgery anyway. The surgeon is actually a bariatric surgeon but they do tons of fundos. (I called and asked as soon as they referred me to his office). Meds do not help. Nexium 2 x a day and Carafate. I assume I get some relief, but still deal with the acid and pain some during the day and really bad at night. I haven't slept lying completely flat in YEARS! Thus neck and back pain.

My brother had the procedure done about 6 years ago, they ended up putting some mesh in him I guess around the hiatal herna area. He said it was the best thing he'd ever had done. He has not taken a pill for reflux or pain since.

They told me that insurance requires them to perform the test, but if I am physically unable to do the test, there is not much insurance can say. I want to stress, I tried so hard to swallow that thing. It was coiling up where I had my previous sinus surgery, which made it worse for me they thought.

I should be hearing from my gastro doctor tomorrow, if they are going to require another kind of test, but the nurses said this is the only real accurate test of how well your muscles push food and water down. So we shall see.

Also, my biopsy results they took during my UPPER GI were fine, but I do have to repeat Upper GI's every other year just in case due to the Barrett's.

I am just so frustrated that I couldn't get that test done. My neighbor is saying that "THEY won't due the surgery then". He's an older guy that knows everything. I think he is upset because his swallower isn't working well, so they won't do the surgery for him. He has tons of other medical issues though is why they are telling him that. I told him that I was told they would probably be able to go ahead with the surgery on me, since I am at such a young age (if 43 is young), so he seemed kind of miffed. haha. I hope I am right and don't have to eat my words! LOL

Sammi

I should hear something from my gastro's office some time today. Will fill you in on what he says. Thanks for the great advise.

*Sammi*

i hear you dencha. i did all those tests. i suppose i am biased but a year later and its all the same. the morning of the surgery i asked the surgeon if i needed it. he said yes based on barium test. a few weeks later to prove to me the wrap worked i redid the same barium and the results were the same as pre-op, reflux to clavicle spontaneously. he had nothing else to say and said he could not help me. really i do believe for typical gerd the surgery usually helps. someone at my church had barrets, went to the same office as i did and one yr later needed a redo. this time it was open not lap and he says its better. i had delayed gastric emptying and the surgeon said well it will always be like that no worries. i met 4 surgeons, 2 believed in atypical gerd and 2 called the ents liars. i know when i eat discretionary foods it gets worse. looking back it all was reflux. the problem is many docs dont get it. one told me my emptying would improve after surgery, another said it would be worse. apparently they went to different med schools. in all seriousness if you have barrets they dont need the 24 hour probes, etc. dencha is right about swallowing. if the surgeon can be convinced swallowing will be ok, then it may be worth a shot we are all different just proceed with caution. personally my research says barrets is proof enough of the disease. i would say your only concern should be swallowing, maybe emptying, but if you take meds for other things they may delay emptying and they may be meds you need. i defer to dencha and joy. if anyone has tips for me id appreciate it too. 3 ents all say i reflux to throat, can you all eat late at night and chocolate. i did for months and things stayed the same now its horrid. it has to be loose. now i have a loose screw :)

The gastro office just got back to me. The NP told me to go ahead to my appointment with the surgeon tomorrow and let him know about the manometry test. My gastro doctor will be back in the office tomorrow as well and they said they promised to get with him on my situation first thing.

I am getting a little nervous now.

I'm sorry to revive such an old thread but it's an interesting one. It always comes up when one is searching for the term "alternative to manometry." Sadly enough it doesn't contain any information about where such a procedure can be done and the name of the procedure is not clear to me either.

Anyone any information? Personally I'm looking for a hospital in Thailand, rest of Asia or Europe but I'm sure many others would be interested in other parts of the world.

tnx

That's interesting. I'm planning my Linx in the UK but the pre tests will be done in Thailand where i can do a 24 or 48 Bravo. Sadly enough that doesn't help with the manometry.

I'm really doubting that there is any other way than with nose probe. There are different ways but they still go via nose.

Thanks Reet. I've put this off for so long and there's no guarantee it'll be of any benefit to me, but I want to try to do it.

Have you ruled out Helicobacter as a cause of your recurrence of symptoms?

MMM

Thanks. I'm in the Manchester area. I like my consultant, who was recommended to me, but at my second visit I saw the reg who couldn't answer my questions or reassure me at all. She greeted me with "Well you coped with endoscopy so manometry will be OK". I put her straight saying my last 2 scopes were under GA - I most certainly do not cope with them!

Do you know if you have to fast for manometry - I'm at my worst first thing in the morning before breakfast!

MMM