bimik

Hi everyone,

I have been using this forum to diagnose my symptoms and decided to update my experience with the Manometry and 24 h ph study for those who are planning to undergo these procedures.

My symptoms

I have been having throat issues for more than two years now. I lived abroad before and used to work a lot. I had frequent flues and didn’t take enough time to recover; as a consequence I developed constant throat issues. My throat symptoms were quite frequent and I also had lump sensation in the back of my throat (upper left side). Initially, I was diagnosed to have chronic tonsillitis. When I moved to US, my ENT diagnosed me with chronic tonsillitis as well ( I think he didn’t take enough time to look at my throat and wrote done that I have tonsillitis as I told him so beforehand).

I got pretty sick during winter and had to take a course of antibiotics. I felt as if I had temperature for a month and a half and was extremely tired. My primary health care physician claimed that 37 C is not considered to be a high temperature. My urine and blood tests came back very well. Later, I started developing digestion issues. Once I overate and for a month and a half I could not eat normally due to digestion issues. I was very moody. I burped and belched all the time. I was feeling extremely bloated. I am skinny and never had a big belly but every time I ate, I would feel pregnant. I got stool test which turned to be ok. I stopped drinking coffee, eating chocolate and citrus. I’d have throat mucus sensation which was very bothersome. I’d feel the need to swallow but I couldn’t I had very dry mouth and occasional acid taste. One day I had so much mucus I was afraid to go to sleep, I thought I will suffocate. I experimented with DGLs and Betaine H supplements for low acidity. Later I went to check my throat with several other ENTs who claimed that my tonsils are very small and don’t look infected. Then I got a throat scope which showed that my larynx are inflamed. My ENT wanted me to drink PPIs for 3 months to see if my symptoms would improve. I hate drinking medicine if I am not sure what is causing so I was tested against gluten intolerance which turned out to be negative. I also got tested for H Pylory, hormonal imbalance etc.

Now I am feeling better digesting food and I am doing dancing, yoga, sauna to have better health. I still decided to get my symptoms checked out.

Manometry and 24 h ph study
I asked me GI doctor to schedule Manometry and 24 h ph study. I am undergoing these tests now. The funny thing is that for the last few days I have no symptoms. The only thing is my tongue is whitish. It has been like this for couple months now.Those tests are not too pleasant but I’d recommend you to do them if you have been experiencing LPR for a long time.

I did not eat anything before the procedures. Manometry was not too pleasant. I got very nervous and thought I will pass out. So I asked the technician to give me a few minutes to relax. After relaxing I had no problem with insertion. I was also drinking water to help the technician move the tube down my throat. One thing I’d recommend is to check which nostril is more convenient for you to pass the tube down. My left one was much more sensitive than the right one. Once the tube is inserted, I had to lay down and drink sips of water and some jelly. It was also important not to swallow in between drinking. During the first 10-15 min it was hard, I felt the need to swallow and she had to redo it. Then I was having problems breathing but after awhile I got used to it. Girls, don’t put mascara My eyes would tear a bit. Also the technician was having problems attaching the tube to my nose because it was my skin was kind of moist.

24 h tube insertion was a piece of cake compared to manometry ! Of course it is not too pleasant to have it in the nose and throat. I am glad I cooked myself dinner before the procedure because it is not very easy to move around with this device. I came home ate some rice, salad and meat. I also had some coffee with chocolate. I don’t know how convenient will it be to sleep with the device but I will go to bed really late to be very sleepy. My husband said he can sleep on the sofa if needed but I think I’ll be fine.
I am experiencing no symptoms such as sore throat, mucus or acid taste. I hope the test will be useful. The only thing is I don’t see any PH numbers on my device. I read that a few of the other people who had the test done would post their ph levels in the forum. Mine only says recording , shows that I am in an upright position and has the options to record my symptoms.

I will update the results on the forum as well. I really hope to find some cure !!! I am tired of having to deal with health issues. Good luck to all of you guys ! And if you have questions, please let me know.

Best regards,
Bimik