Wrong test? Desperately need help..!

I've got good news, bad news and a heap of questions. The good news is I got a referral for a manometry and 24 hour pH probe. The bad news is it's a single probe test, and not at the hospital I requested. I chose a hospital that specialised in double probes so that I can diagnose LPR, and even contacted Restech themselves about where to get their probe tests done in the UK.

Now I'm terrified I'll get false-negative results like everyone else with LPR. If I do that's the end of the investigation and I'll be struck off with anxiety. It's virtually official as I'm already in the bad books of my doctor and family after pressing so much; I stand to lose all I've struggled for if I get fake results. I therefore badly need some help with these questions, please!

- If the Manometry shows my LES and UES work properly, how far does that go in disproving LPR?
- Am I within my rights to object to the type of test being done, and where it takes place? If I am, how should I word my objections?
- If both tests come back negative, could I still be eligible for LINX surgery?
- In the event I somehow get a positive result for LPR, who can I go to for help in coming to terms with it? My greatest fear in life is getting a lifelong illness, and LPR has already severely reduced my quality of life; I'm worried a diagnosis will drive me over the edge...
- I'm no good at swallowing things whole! Will I be ok in this test? Gotta admit I'm scared stiff about it already, right version or not, but I'll be more determined about it if I can be sure it'll show something.

I just refuse to accept anxiety as the sole cause of my horrid symptoms at this point, after a whole year of suffering but if I don't do something ASAP, nobody will ever believe I have LPR. They denied the evidence in my rapid spit test and refuse to believe in Dr Kouffman's research, so this is my only shot to prove I AM suffering. Please help any way that you can, I'll be very grateful and would hope to return the favour if I can..!

Post Edited (Daxter) : 11/23/2013 2:27:58 PM (GMT-7)

What kind of probe is it?? Bravo? I just had the Restech but have to do it over because they didnt calibrate it correctly. What are your symptoms?

Daxter, have you had an ultrasound and HIDA scan of your gallbladder? Could you switch doctors? Yours dont sound very compassionate. I know how this is. I had a doctor say to me "we all have to die someday" I even had one doctor turn her back on me saying i was trying to make her look bad by getting a second opinion. Its unbelievable.

Hi Daxter - having had both in the UK in September my experience share would be this.

Make sure that you are referred to the right person to perform the manometry and pH testing - my surgeon had a short list of three consultants he would refer to and that was it. However it gave me confidence that I was in very capable and confident hands.

I have to say I too was very nervous going into the testing, however the staff were brilliant very patient, re-assuring and calming. In my opinion out of the two tests the manometry was the most unpleasant and uncomfortable. Like others on here I had to stop medication seven days before - that was hell and I have never drunk so much gaviscon in my life which I was allowed until 24hrs before, and like others was not allowed to take trigger items eg alcohol. I too was worried therefore that the test results would be normal. How wrong was I! After the manometry the consultant immediately showed me the results and talked me thru what the pH test would do.

I had to record when I had anything to eat, drink, exercise, sleep, etc as well as press the button when I felt any heartburn. Interestingly although I felt I had few episodes, the pH test proved otherwise and basically my tolerance level to acid pain had grown so much that I only pressed the button when I had acute attacks!

A week later I was back in the surgeons office and he showed me the results and was clear about the need for surgery.

Hope this helps, good luck!