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pH test results, what next?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/29/2014 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I had my pH test results back. It showed that motility was normal, but that I had a weak LES down at 5.5mmHg. I had 11 acid events and 16 non-acid, both within normal range. Supine was ever so slightly above normal, and DeMeester came out at 8.4.

I have a meeting with GI on Monday - where should I go from here? It seems that my LES just really isn't doing very well.

Thanks,
Paul
Posted 10/30/2014 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Paul,

A DeMeester of 8.4 is smack-dab in the middle of normal. My guess is that your GI doc will recommend meds to treat you. That's not to say that you can't have some bad symptoms with that score. It's just a picture of one 24 hour period, and there are generally variations from day to day. In addition, everyone is different. Some people are much more sensitive to reflux than others.

My PCP and asthma/allergy doc struggled to get my GI doc to realize that my
"normal" reflux DeMeester scores did not mean that my reflux was very problematic. My GI doc just kept recommending max meds, which just didn't work to solve my problem.

I will be very surprised if your GI doc even CONSIDERS surgery with that score. Be sure to make a list of questions to take in with you. You'll want to pick his brain regarding what he thinks is causing your symptoms, and what he recommends to help you get them into control. Be sure to get those questions answered. A list helps...if I don't have one, it never fails that I'm remembering the questions I wanted to ask after I leave the GI office!

Good luck with your appointment! Let us know what you find out.
Best wishes,
Denise
Posted 10/31/2014 11:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Denise,

Thanks for your response - I think my main concern is the amount of time that my pH remained above 7, infact half of my non-acidic events seem to be alkaline, which goes hand-in-hand with the the bit of bile they found in my stomach. Along with my weak sphincter, it seems that fixing this may be the solution! Sucralfate is out of stock over here, which is a pain :-(
Posted 11/1/2014 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi paulroy,

If bile is your problem, then Sulcrafate/Carafate will be a big help. And yes, the surgery is about the only thing that will help you, since PPIs will do nothing to neutralize bile. Hopefully you can get things figured out and get feeling better!

Good luck!
Denise
Posted 11/3/2014 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Denise,

Had my consultation with the doctor - went really well. Turns out I'm a bit of a volume refluxer, so is going to refer me for a consultation with a surgeon (probably for the LINX).

Will keep you posted,

Paul
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