How can pH test be "gold standard"? - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

Ol'Line Rebel · 10-03-2006, 02:18 PM

Just curious. I've thought about this a long time.

How is it a pH test is the "gold standard" for GERD?

GERD, the disease, presents the same way alot of diseases do - with reflux. Reflux is not the disease, it is a symptom and can be a symptom (apparently) of several things. (This goes back to my pet peeve about calling this condition "acid-reflux disease" when it's really the sphincter causing the reflux, as opposed to e.g., gastritis, gastroparesis, etc.)

So if many things can cause bad reflux, why if you get a "fail" on the pH are you automatically branded as "GERD"? Couldn't it still be something else, and not the sphincters?

It seems to me of the tests I've heard of, the manometry should be the standard.

After all, GERD means the sphincters failed, and if you show low pressure there, surely that's closer to a "bingo" as far as actually having "sphincter disease" (GERD). If you are showing normal - something else is causing this symptom?

3CCCmommy · 10-03-2006, 09:37 PM

That was the same question, that I had. We(my daughter) just had that awful test last week in Seattle, and it was the determining factor, for her to be referred to a surgeon. Her GI doctor who has been taking care of her for a couple of years now, said that the ph probe, would tell 100 percent that indeed her condition was reflux and nothing else. She also has the weak esophogeal muscle and low tone. and before we proceed with any surgical procedures, she has to have a CAT scan first. That will seal the deal. I don't know if this information is helpful to you or not, but I also have another son who has GERD and he is able to keep the esophogus from eroding by using Nexium, but for relief for the ongoing reflux symptoms nothing and I mean nothing including RX has helped and continues to help like pepcid complete. It does seem like he is taking them all of the time, but he doesn't suffer like he used too Good luck