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24 hr esophageal pH procedure reassurance

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Posted 7/24/2013 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, that's very encouraging. Not keen to mention names on here, will see if you have a PM thingy? I did like the surgeon when I saw him privately and he explained about Nissen, but when I saw the registrar, they said not to think about surgery yet. So we'll see who's right when the results come in. They gave me no clues about the results at all; I even glanced at the technician's hand written notes but there were no numbers written there.

Yes, endoscopes a big problem. Possibly due to failed sedation with my first one. But the bit I had a problem with was the same as the manometry - the back of my throat, not gagging, just really hurt.

Glad you're doing well :-)

MMM
Posted 7/24/2013 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Can't do PM thingy - the cons initials are IW. Won't spell the name out so that it won't pick up from google etc !
Posted 7/24/2013 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
I know who you mean, has a moustache :-) I saw the other one. My Dad knows moustache man and says he's very good.

Hopefully he'll get it all sorted for you. It took 17 years for me to be referred to a surgeon!!!!!

What's the PM thingy?
Posted 7/24/2013 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Personal message/email !

I'll think of "moustache man" next time I go!! He was recommended to me by another consultant, which is always reassuring.

Our system so different to USA!

MMM
Posted 7/24/2013 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Ah PM, I get it now :-)

I hope you don't laugh when you see his moustache now I've called him that smilewinkgrin

Yeah our system is very different to the US, I used to think theirs was better but I certainly don't anymore.

I'll put my email address in my profile.
Posted 7/25/2013 12:49 AM (GMT 0)

mudmagnetmum said...
Still very confused that there was no activity log to complete - I thought it mattered whether you were bending, exercising etc etc

MMM, I heard it depends on the device worn. I had a "Zephyr" device with three numbered buttons. They corresponded to one of three symptoms. For me, it corresponded to 1=shortness of breath, 2=globus/throat lump feeling, 3=abdominal pain. I didn't press 3 at all, I should have told them to encode heartburn for 3. Whatever other symptoms I had, they told me to log it with the timestamp. Also, there were sections for eating (press an EAT button, and DONE EATING type icon when done), and lying down (press either a STANDING icon or LYING DOWN icon). I guess each programme/test is different.

Mollymarie said...
Ruhr, did they give you any indication of the results when they took it out?
I've still got a dent in my nose from where the tube was over a year ago.

Molly, they said the results will be ready in about a week. I have a visit with my GI next Tuesday, and the results should be in the computer system for him to discuss with me.

Dent in nose? Ack! Well I did notice a small blister type thing on the outside of my nostril. It is still a little sore. I hope nothing is permanent! That tube really was irritating!

Oh, did I tell you guys I had other tests done yesterday? My primary care physician ordered CT scans (with contrast) of my chest and neck, since I mentioned my dyspnea (shortness of breath) and globus (lump throat feeling). I think he is really grasping at straws and the tests might have been worthless, but I'll try anything at this point. I have an ENT appointment in September. Maybe a cardiologist for the shortness of breath (nah, I have a cardiac calcium score of 0)?

I hate feeling down like this. I'm supposed to go to California next week, though if I'm still feeling like crap with the dyspnea, globus, and slight heartburn, I'm going to cancel.

Ruhr
Posted 7/25/2013 9:46 AM (GMT 0)
Wow! You really have been through the mill with all these tests. Hopefully something will show up that's easily treated. Is the shortness of breath your worst symptom?

Don't cancel your holiday, California makes everyone feel great :-D Also, if God forbid you were poorly while there, you could have a 2nd pair of eyes look at you.
Posted 7/30/2013 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
ARGH! I had my appointment with my new GI doc (jr. doc) today. They said my 24 pH results, taken a week ago, would be ready. But they weren't! GRRR. So it was kind of a waste of my time.

Well, at least my GI doc was young and kinda cute. ;) He seemed to be very knowledgeable and confident.

In discussion with the attending doc, he ordered a blood test for H. pylori. I asked about possible gall bladder issues and he didn't think so (no abdominal pain). The senior doc looked at me like I had two heads when I mentioned the initials "LPR" as a possibility, and when I tried to say out loud what it stood for (laryngo-pharyngeal reflux). Arrgh that can't be good.

Guess I need to wait a week or so for the pH results to come back. GRR GRRR.

Post Edited (Ruhr) : 7/30/2013 3:30:56 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/18/2013 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
UPDATE, well, after over 3 weeks, I finally got my results for this test. My GI told me the results came back "normal". I don't have details yet--he is going to mail a copy of the report to me.

On one hand, this is good news. What's not to like about that news? Except, I was kinda sorta hoping I could point the finger to GERD. Or LPR, or something, and now I can't.

So maybe this is more an anxiety issue. Though I can't discount what my body is feeling, I really do feel some heartburn, and lumpy throat sometimes!

The doc left a message for me wanting to put me on a kind of medication that would relieve the icky heartburn sensations, and take care of anxiety. I'm really interested to find out what med he's thinking. Haven't heard back. When I hear back from him and find out the name of the med, I want to see what y'all think.

Thanks!

Ruhr
Posted 8/21/2013 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi gang,

Well I got a paper copy of my 24 pH report. I suppose I have to rule out GERD. The pH looks normal (not sure how to read the report tho that's what I gather).

My two main indications for this test were: shortness of breath, globus.

Impression details: Gastric acid control: reasonable. Total # reflux episodes: within normal limits. Symptom association: negative with 8/36 symptoms episodes associated with GERD (<25%, positive is >50%).

The doctor wrote in closing: "although a trial of higher dose acid suppression for three months can be considered, I suspect GERD is a poor explanation for symptoms while still on PPI therapy."

Since then, I've stopped PPIs and am taking H2 blockers (famotidine) under guidance of my GI. The last two days have been absolutely miserable, with mild to strong shortness of breath/gulping type sensations.

Still waiting to hear back from my GI who wants me to put me on a certain medication. I'm dying to know which one.

Maybe this is anxiety. I don't FEEL anxious when I get these SOB sensations, though when it gets real bad I do start feeling antsy. I'm taking between 0.25 and 0.5 mg of Ativan per day, as symptoms occur.

This really sucks. I wish these feelings would subside and I can feel normal again.

Ruhr
Posted 8/23/2013 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
First, make sure you're off your meds. My first GI doctor, who is an idiot and now fired, didn't tell me to stop and I passed the test and added a year of misery and possibly disease because of his gross incompetence.

Second, I can handle a lot of pain and discomfort, but I found the tests to be very difficult. I wouldn't expect an easy ride. It was very uncomfortable for me and I didn't eat or sleep well at all. It was 24 hrs of hell. Everyone is different though. The main problem I had was that it irritated my already-irritated throat and stopped my nose up so badly that I had to take antibiotics for a sinus infection afterwards. The fact I had to take two of these because my first doctor is an idiot just made it that much worse.

You basically have to pull up your big boy/girl pants and endure it. It's not the end of the world, just a PITA and uncomfortable.

Oh, and the manometry test. My nurse yanked it out of my nose so hard that it made my nose bleed. I was actually quite angry at her. I asked her if she had endured the procedure before. She said no. I told her it was obvious because what she did "F*&$ING HURT!"
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