Had a 48 hour PH Test what should I do now??? - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

Justin1889 · 04-25-2005, 07:51 PM

I have noticed that over the past 4-5 weeks it feels like there is mucus stuck in my throat. I saw a ENT about 3 months ago for a shortness of breath issue that I was having that turned out to be stress/anxiety related. At that visit he did the scope down up my nose and told me that my throat and voice box were irritated and told me that I had acid reflux. He told me to take prilosec OTC for a month and let him know how I felt. Well after taking priolec for about 8-10 days or so I didn't notice any improvement actually my throat felt like it was closed up and swollen shut. I called the ENT back and asked him to send me to a GI doc to determine if I actually had acid reflux. The GI doc did the scope down my throat which he said he didn't notice and signs of acid reflux. He also put that little PH probe down my throat and tested my ph levels for 48 hours. After the test the doctor determined that I had very mild acid reflux, but said it wasn't anything to worry about.

So my question is would the PH test show if I had LPR or not?? If I don't have acid reflux what could be causing this feeling of mucus stuck in my throat? I have also used mucinex for about 5 days straight with no improvement.

ginger65 · 04-30-2005, 05:56 AM

Hi Justin,

My understanding is that a single esophaegal probe will not detect LPR. It has to be a double probe with one covering the pharynx and larynx. It takes a smaller amount of reflux to cause the symptoms of LPR than GERD. I am due a PH monitor in June and have requested a double probe. The feeling of something stuck in the throat or globus and excess mucous are classic LPR symptoms. The mucous is likely to be from Post Nasal Drip which is thought to be caused by LPR in the absense of any identifiable sinus problems.

A few days ago I underwent an endoscopy which also does not really identify LPR but it does indicate the possible causes for the reflux. They feel that it is down to the stomach bacterium H.Pylori and localised gastritis. They also found a sliding hiatus hernia which they were less concerned about. However, I feel this is the major problem as it invariably goes hand in hand with poor functioning of the lower esophaegal sphincter which is the main cause of continuing LPR in people who do not respond to PPI's, diet and lifestyle changes.

A double PH probe would calculate the amount of acid reaching the throat /mouth and a barium swallow x-ray would show any poor functioning of both the upper and lower sphincters.

Hope this helps

PS Why not join the thread LPR/Went to specialist

zoot_suit_brian · 04-30-2005, 08:03 AM

Did you take the prilosec twice a day?

mjcm123 · 04-30-2005, 10:05 AM

Hi Justin. As Ginger said, the probe will only detect how much acid is escaping the stomach into the esophogus. The ENT would be able to tell you about irritation in the throat and larynx. Perhaps you need a prescriptoin ppi instead of otc. I cannot believe your gi told you not to worry about acid reflux

I tried prescription Prilosec and the side effect it had on me was a feeling of throat swelling in the lymphnodes area. Perhaps you should try another PPI? Right now I am on Nexium ... I'm giving it a couple of weeks. By the way, for many people with LPR, it can take up to 6 months of a ppi 2x/day to relieve symptoms. Do you have any other acid reflux symptoms?