Manometry and PH test.

Hi,

I have recently had a Manometry and 24hour PH test. I just wondered if anyone had experience of this in the UK who could give an outline of how it went as I have a two week wait for results.

The Manometry went OK, I tolerated the test and completed it. The consultant said it appears the LES is weak and remaining open when it shouldn't - but that this would be confirmed by computer. Removal of the tube was the worst bit! Yuk!

I had the PH test, and managed to eat OK. The unit had buttons to press on symptoms and to check the time when eating etc. When you did this it also displayed a readout of levels it was recording. When I felt ok and had no symptoms the readout sat between 4 and 5 ish, when I had symptons it dropped to between 0.0 and 2 ish. I had around 28 episodes of regurgitation, 15 or so heart burn hits and then a couple of mild epi pains. I noticed that quite often if I just felt a little uncomfortable it sat at around 3. This was a very good day for me heartburn wise, with limited pain to normal as I had to be hugely well behaved with diet and ate only very safe food.

I had this done as I am being considered for an op (Nissan?) as I am on the uppermost level of meds (combined with meds for Crohns so I rattle), with diet control, and I can still regurgitate whole meals some days! I also get really savage deep pain in the centre of my chest which makes me faint and cry like a baby ;)

I just wanted to get a feel for what levels other people have been put through for the op at? I'm in my early 30s with a fairly full on life and I think I'm worried about how to move forward as both options will impact life so much. (and who isn't scared of the idea of an Op!)

All experiences gratefully received :)

Hi Honiespot,if the ph level goes below 4 it means that its acidic,so this indicates acid reflux.I had this test before my nissen surgery,i was the same as yourself really bad heartburn and regurgitation and was told i had a weak les.I had heartburn that would go right into my neck and jaw,it was the worst and it seemed to happen more in the middle of the night.I raised the head of my bed 8" which helped a bit,stopped eating after 6pm aswell. Barry

Hi Honiespot,i had nissen done in March this year,i had to have it done as i was in a really bad way.Ive had a few problems from it,as my crural repair of the op was too tight and foods werent getting through,that was fixed but i still have problems with swallowing and nausea,hopefully that will settle.Dont let my experience put you off as i know alot of people personally who have been cured with the nissen,i think everyone responds to the surgery differently.Its only natural to be afraid of this op,i was a nervous wreck before mine,but it really wasnt as bad as i thought it was going to be.Do your best to make sure you have a good surgeon who has a lot of experience with the surgery and you feel comfortable with,not like mine lol,doesnt talk very much or explain anything.You know yourself if this op is for you if you feel you cant live with the reflux anymore. Barry

I had an excellent nurse who did my manometry. He had an assistant and first, they sprayed my nostril with Lidocaine and began slowly inserting the tube. The assistant continued small squirts of lidocaine as the nurse instructed me to 'swallow' the tube as he slowly fed to tube down.

This was much easier as I was able to help and the lidocaine kept my 'gag reflex' numb while the tube was inserted. The person doing this test is critical for you being able to get through it as comfortably as possible. Ask them to try what was done for me, and best of luck. This test is CRUCIAL for diagnosis.

Oh, and removing the tube was not bad as they had me take a deep breath and cough as they pulled it out. Not bad at all.