rush_rulz
06-12-2008, 01:52 PM
I'm (finally) scheduled to see a GI at the end of the month. I dont' even know if they plan to do the PH test thing, where you have this tube in your throat that monitors acid level. Has anyone had experience with this? I'm pretty nervous because I plan to eventually get the endonoscopy as well as the colonoscopy because I have lower GI issues, too but my primary issue will be this nasty gagging going on I have. It has progressed to where my throat closes up and I feel like someone is choking me. The bad thing is, I used to feel ok (about a month ago) if I woke up but did not eat anything and also waited to take my meds....but now even if I just wake up and drink water I get this. So, I know I want the tests done but just wondered if anyone could shed light on the PH test, because if you must keep something in your throat for an extended period of time, I don't really see how I could do it. I wear a mouth guard at night because I grind my teeth (Gee I wonder why?) but I will have to take that out at times, the gagging gets so bad. I cannot imagine having something in my throat for an extended period of time.
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MountainReader
06-12-2008, 09:01 PM
rush_rulz,
I wear an occlusal guard too.
Here is my journaled experience with the 24 hr. PH testing a couple years ago. I hope it helps.
It wasn't the most pleasant thing I have done, but I expected much worse. I would do it again if I needed to. I went in in the morning after fasting from the night before. They did the manometry first. First they sprayed something in the back of my throat to numb it--it tasted across between bananas and gasoline--then they put a numbing gel in the nostril of choice which should be the least stuffy one. After they had a few minutes to take effect, they took a special sensor tube which was hooked up to a computer and put it up my nose. They had me taking sips of water from a straw to help the tube go down OK. It was a bit uncomfortable, but not too bad. Next they moved the tube up and down my esophagus while swallowing air or water. When they found the esophageal sphincter, they had me swallow at intervals so they could measure how well it was working. When the techincian had the readings they needed, he pulled out the tube. Next was the PH probe. This tube was about 1/3 the size of the first one. It went down the same way but was a bit more uncomfortable as it went down. I asked the tech about it and he said it was a bit stiffer than the first probe. Anyway, it had some marks on it that corresponded to marks on the first tube and told him how far to insert it because he knew where my esophageal sphincter was. Once it was inserted, he wrapped it behind my ear and taped the tube down to my nose and cheek. Then he took the other end of the sensor and attached it to a computer about the diameter of a softball. The computer could be hung around my neck or attached to my belt. When you use the computer, you have to putch a button to indicate if you are upright or laying down. You also have to push a button when you eat. There are numbers on the probe that allow you to see what the PH is throughout the test. The other thing I had to do is to fill out a log every time I ate, took medications or had any symptoms. By the time this was finished, I was very hungry. I stopped on the way to work (they want you to carry on a regular day) and picked up a muffin. The first bite I took was very uncomfortable because it caught on the tube. Everything else I ate during the day--chicken, rice, salad, etc... was good though and it wasn't that uncomfortable. I was worried about sleeping with the wire and computer because I can be a restless sleeper, but I had no difficulties at all. The worst part of it all for me was not being able to shower the next morning. (A sponge bath just isn't the same.) After my 24 hours was up I just had to go back to have it removed. It only took a second to remove. I had some difficulty getting the adhesive off my face though. I used alchohol wipes, took a shower, etc.. and still had residue for 2 days. I was worried my nose would continue to be sore from the tube after that, but I didn't have any problems.
I wear an occlusal guard too.
Here is my journaled experience with the 24 hr. PH testing a couple years ago. I hope it helps.
It wasn't the most pleasant thing I have done, but I expected much worse. I would do it again if I needed to. I went in in the morning after fasting from the night before. They did the manometry first. First they sprayed something in the back of my throat to numb it--it tasted across between bananas and gasoline--then they put a numbing gel in the nostril of choice which should be the least stuffy one. After they had a few minutes to take effect, they took a special sensor tube which was hooked up to a computer and put it up my nose. They had me taking sips of water from a straw to help the tube go down OK. It was a bit uncomfortable, but not too bad. Next they moved the tube up and down my esophagus while swallowing air or water. When they found the esophageal sphincter, they had me swallow at intervals so they could measure how well it was working. When the techincian had the readings they needed, he pulled out the tube. Next was the PH probe. This tube was about 1/3 the size of the first one. It went down the same way but was a bit more uncomfortable as it went down. I asked the tech about it and he said it was a bit stiffer than the first probe. Anyway, it had some marks on it that corresponded to marks on the first tube and told him how far to insert it because he knew where my esophageal sphincter was. Once it was inserted, he wrapped it behind my ear and taped the tube down to my nose and cheek. Then he took the other end of the sensor and attached it to a computer about the diameter of a softball. The computer could be hung around my neck or attached to my belt. When you use the computer, you have to putch a button to indicate if you are upright or laying down. You also have to push a button when you eat. There are numbers on the probe that allow you to see what the PH is throughout the test. The other thing I had to do is to fill out a log every time I ate, took medications or had any symptoms. By the time this was finished, I was very hungry. I stopped on the way to work (they want you to carry on a regular day) and picked up a muffin. The first bite I took was very uncomfortable because it caught on the tube. Everything else I ate during the day--chicken, rice, salad, etc... was good though and it wasn't that uncomfortable. I was worried about sleeping with the wire and computer because I can be a restless sleeper, but I had no difficulties at all. The worst part of it all for me was not being able to shower the next morning. (A sponge bath just isn't the same.) After my 24 hours was up I just had to go back to have it removed. It only took a second to remove. I had some difficulty getting the adhesive off my face though. I used alchohol wipes, took a shower, etc.. and still had residue for 2 days. I was worried my nose would continue to be sore from the tube after that, but I didn't have any problems.
rush_rulz
06-13-2008, 03:19 PM
Okay, well that sounds horrible to me! Even if you experienced, from what I can tell, minor discomfort. That sounds like torture to me because my nose is stuffed up all the time and then runs like crazy and then I sneeze ALL the time and cough and hack. I don't see how they could do that with me at all.
Kassie29
06-14-2008, 10:53 AM
Hmm, there is a common thread here -- I wear a mouth guard when I sleep too due to grinding my teeth.
Good information on the pH test, Mountain. I am scheduled for a manometry and the 24 pH probe on June 18. It doesn't sound too bad to me. I'm happy to go through the test to find out if indeed I do have too much acid, or maybe too little. Perhaps they can figure out better how to treat my symptoms. My symptoms started out with bad heartburn and burping but those have largely gone away. I am left with a constant sore throat. I have also been scheduled for an ultrasound of my throat. I've already had an ultrasound of my abdomen that didn't show anything. The GI doctor I just saw for the first time last week scheduled these new tests. Has anyone had an ultrasound of their throat?? I don't think I've read this on the Board before. Oh, and then I have an endoscopy schedule too. This will be my second one. I hope I find out some useful information after all these tests.
Kassie
Good information on the pH test, Mountain. I am scheduled for a manometry and the 24 pH probe on June 18. It doesn't sound too bad to me. I'm happy to go through the test to find out if indeed I do have too much acid, or maybe too little. Perhaps they can figure out better how to treat my symptoms. My symptoms started out with bad heartburn and burping but those have largely gone away. I am left with a constant sore throat. I have also been scheduled for an ultrasound of my throat. I've already had an ultrasound of my abdomen that didn't show anything. The GI doctor I just saw for the first time last week scheduled these new tests. Has anyone had an ultrasound of their throat?? I don't think I've read this on the Board before. Oh, and then I have an endoscopy schedule too. This will be my second one. I hope I find out some useful information after all these tests.
Kassie