Acid Reflux - 24 hr pH Impedance Test | Health Update
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Was hesitant at first to post this but hoping it helps people struggling with acid reflux or GERD. Basically this is a health update vlog, I've had acid reflux symptoms for most of my adult life (started when I was a teenager). Nothing extreme - I don't have severe heart burn/pain hardly ever and do not throw up at all like some with extreme conditions do.
Basically I have these two symptoms: 1) At times do get some liquid reflux that runs up my esophagus after eating big meals 2) I suffer from chronic congestion in my throat - this point is the main reason I decided to seek a GI doctor to find answers. (I could post a whole video on dealing with sinus problems/ENT doctors/septoplasty surgery etc. but will focus on GI for the time being)
One week ago I had an endoscopy done (a camera probe was scoped down my throat - esophagus and stomach to investigate any possible issues related to GERD or acid reflux. Overall health status was very good, esophagus is healthy, a slight hiatal hernia but nothing significant (this is the valve that connects the top of your stomach to the esophagus and regulates passage of liquids and food). There was some signs of gastritis in my stomach lining so a biopsy was taken and tests were done which proved negative for a pesky bacteria called H.pylori and no ulcers or signs of cancer.
So for further investigation it was recommended I return a week later and undergo both a manometry test and a 24-hr pH Impedance test to see if I do in fact have acid reflux/GERD. This is the focus of this vlog.
I will say the manometry test was one of the most uncomfortable procedures I've had to date, not something I ever want to do again. There was no pain involved, however it required a relatively thick sensor tube to be slid through my nose and sinus passage and down my throat to my stomach. Then using a straw, I was instructed to swallow a sip of water and then refrain from swallowing for 30 - 40 seconds then repeat this process. I never realized how hard it is to refrain from swallowing for even 30 seconds, especially with a tube down your throat, my mind subconsciously out of habit would swallow before the time was up and then the process had to be repeated. So a trick that helped was using strips of gauze to hold my tongue out, this resulted in me drooling all over myself but stopped me from swallowing out of habit and able to complete the test. After the water test was fully completed (took about 15-20 minutes if you do it right) it was then repeated with a graham cracker to test solid food. The purpose of the manometry test is to survey the strength of the esophageal muscles.
After the manometry test was completed, the tube was taken out (very strange sensation to have a tube pulled out of your nose and throat in less than 2 sec). The 24-hr pH Impedance test then began! Another sensor tube was pushed through my nose and sinus passage and down my throat to my stomach, however this one was extremely thin in comparison - nowhere near as thick as the manometry test thank God. So although rather uncomfortable, I didn't feel like I was choking. This tube was attached to an electronic monitor that I had to wear around my neck that tracked the pH levels inside my esophagus throughout a 24-hr period.
You’re the kind of patient Doctors love. It’s awesome because just like our Docs we wanna enjoy the science and results ❤
Please do an update video on your reflux! Enjoyed this video so much. Had me laughing with all the birds hanging out at Do'rite donut. And I also feel better about doing a pH impedance test after watching.
Glad you felt some relief, not the most pleasant procedure but it's only for one day and will go faster than you think it will. I will have an update video within the month - overall I do have some reflux but non-acidic and they confirmed I do not have a significant hiatal hernia like I'd been diagnosed with in the past so that was good news. I do have a leaky valve at my lower esophageal sphincter so currently taking an acid reflux medication called Rabeprazole which seems to help control it and have been prescribed another med called Baclofen which I'm a little hesitant to take at the moment, so doing some research on this first.
@@GetmeouttahereErik Awesome! Thank you for the update and your reply. Happy to have found your channel! :-)
Thanks for posting this. This video popped up when I was looking for info about my upcoming esophageal motility test and the 24 hour PH probe. I had the test this morning, and I am currently looking like you with the wire up my nose. I felt a bit more prepared having seen this video. I am managing the wire down my throat just fine, but I am glad to have a "stay-at-home" day. The motility test is certainly unpleasant, but I had the most supportive technician, I breathed, relaxed, and got through it quickly. For me, the hard part was getting the wire down my crazy, deviated nasal passages. I was a challenge for the technician, but she managed for both tests. I asked for lots of numbing gel!!
@@mckayfam Haha Best of Luck, sounds like you’re staying positive!
@@GetmeouttahereErik Hi. Any follow up on this? What were your results and did you need surgery etc? Thanks
Thank you so much for posting. I'm getting this done in 2 days.
How was your experience? I'm getting mine tomorrow 😩
The impedance test was fine, remember to breathe. It's not bad at all. The surgery for me was horrible. Sent home too early and ended up in the ER. @@NatashaTaylor101
As always, another great video in the books! Sure hope all is well. Can’t wait to hear the results. Merry Christmas to you and your family Erik!!
Thank you, Merry Christmas to you!
I'm getting this done tomorrow morning.. I have a hiatal hernia and there checking the acids in my esophagus for 24 to see if I will need the surgery to fix my hernia. Had this hernia since I was 22. A Doctor pulled my stomach out of place and its cost me everything and the pain ,lost Jobs, girl friends, my favorite foods hobbies, ect.. and its time I get it fixed, cause I can't like with this pain the rest of my life
SAME
What happened to you?🥺
Are you Okey now ?
Hello Eric,
How are you doing two years after the manometry test? I have watched like 99% of this video and I wanted to thank you for this video and explain my situation. Hopefully, you will reply soon.
I am having the same problem with my stomach, a lot of heartburn, reflux-you name it, I have been having it for more than 10 years. It used to be less severe than it is now. I usually like to eat spicy chili food, and three years ago, I ate something so spicy that I had pain in my stomach for three days, lol. After that, these problems never stopped. Now I cannot live without medication. You mentioned rabeprazole; I had never heard about that, but I googled it and found it’s similar to the one I use, pantoprazole 20mg. I have to take this medication every two days if I want to eat or drink. Otherwise, it’s so bad that even water causes reflux.
Before, when it wasn’t that bad, I would drink a little glass of water mixed with bicarbonate soda, lemon, and sugar before bed. It would make me burp, and then I could sleep. But spicy food made it worse, so now I take pantoprazole.
I did a gastroscopy here in Germany and was told that I have Helicobacter pylori. I had to take a lot of antibiotics, but it wasn’t enough. Now, my family doctor has given me a prescription to do the manometry test, but it takes up to a year to get an appointment here in Germany. Things have started to suck.
I wanted to ask you, what did you do after the manometry test? Did the doctors find out where the problem was or not?
I have silent reflux and positively it’s LPR. I definitely got GERDS. I hate them both. Thank you for this cool video.
Hey thanks for this video …I’m getting this done in a couple days was looking it too see what this was glad I came across your video ! For me, I was getting chicken steak or any kind of meat stuck in my throat for hours at a time and then it will go free until my last one where it got stuck and I couldn’t swallow my own spit so I went to the hospital to be put to sleep to get the chicken out after that they put me on a prescription called pantoprazole 40mg tablets 1 every 12 hours ever since of taking this medication. I gradually went back to eating meats and haven’t had any issues ever since now my G.I. doctor wants to put this in me to see my levels in my stomach and esophagus.
Sorry to hear about your battle, sounds like the right step so they can test your ph levels, swallowing strength, and any reflux issues. Good luck, I hope you find your answers!
@@GetmeouttahereErik thanks I hope we all find some answers to this ! I appreciate your video with this …I also wanted to know did they ask you to wear a button-down shirt just want to know the reason why because they asked me
@@ripjanetstrimel3312 Yes, it’s easier to undress yourself with a button down shirt because you’ll have a tube up your nose for 24 hrs, which makes pulling up a t-shirt difficult.
Remember it test for non acid reflux as well
great video, I'm using mine right now😆 , it's the second time I've used it, now for antireflux post-operation control
Haha God Speed! Never quite get used to the swallowing feeling but hopefully you’ll have it out soon.
Is it tolerable? You think i can bare it for a day??
@@Unlimited0X Don’t sweat, you can bare it for 24 hours. Not pleasant but not terrible and it will be out before you know it.
Thank you
So brave of you
I’m so nervous I will be having this test Monday 😢
@@jacquelinerivera5847 Don’t be, you got this!
any updates?
so what did you have non acid ?
I’ve had the endoscopes and they were easy with sedation, that knocked me out. I want to chicken out from doing this. How on earth will I be able to eat and especially sleep 🤯😬. Urgghhhh 😣
I’m so scared I have to get this done in February 😭❤️ I have gerd apparently have had swallowing issues I lost so much weight I’ve just began to swallow again I paid private to get this done again I feel horrendous 🥺 I’m scared please let me know I will be ok? I managed a gastroscopy with sedation
Sorry to hear you're dealing with these health issues. You have nothing to fear of, the pH test is just uncomfortable but thankfully it's only for one day and will be out before you know it. Good luck and I hope you find answers.
Hey, I also have this chronic congestion in my throat and scheduled an appointment for both test. can you please give feedback on your results? was the acid reflex cause for the congestion?
I'll be posting a follow video within the month. Still a mystery if acid reflux is the culprit, it was confirmed I do have a leaky valve at my lower esophageal sphincter that is causing reflux to occur, but mostly non-acidic which is a good thing that can be controlled with an acid reflux med called Rabeprazole. Unfortunately the chronic sinus congestion/post-nasal drip is still there so was recently prescribed with a drug called Baclofen to see if that relaxes the sensation. I haven't taken this yet so not sure if this will help or not.
Oh my word. The manometry test was horrible! Felt like a fish on the line when the tubing comes out. 😂 The worst part was definitely the feeling of having something stuck in your throat/ side of your neck and the swallowing test. Best advice is to breathe and actually listen for your breaths to keep focused.
Ugh not fun at all!
Is there a follow up to this video?
No update?😢
I got this done this morning. Not fun.
Stay strong, you got this!!
Why are you taking PPI medication? While testing PH?
Back in 2007 I underwent this same pH test that diagnosed me with acid reflux, in more recent years with continuing reflux issues I was prescribed Rabeprazole which helps immensely.
However one of my biggest symptoms has always been a chronic cough and throat clearing, the constant sensation of something in my throat. So doctor’s order on this round of testing was to stay on the ppi and see how the reflux has or hasn’t improved and they also added the impedance test this time.
Can you share your results. I am getting these two procedures done and I’m nervous.
I'm having this test Thursday and would appreciate any insight. Like is it difficult to eat and drink, is the wire noticeable in your throat and nose? How is it to sleep with? I had a manometry and kept choking on it so I'm dreading this test
The manometry is worse because it’s a thicker chord, the pH test isn’t nearly as bad, was a much smaller wire. It’s not hard to eat or drink at all but when you swallow you will feel the chord tug down a bit. Plan to have tissues ready as your nose will be runny. Sleeping is easy, like I said it should be a much smaller wire than the manometry test - that thing was dreadful.
@@GetmeouttahereErik I appreciate it man! That manometry was awful and I kept choking on that wire. I was afraid this would basically be a 24hr manometry with a smaller wire
@@JDCards48 haha i was the same the manometry sucked big time, but you made it through that so the pH monitor will be a walk in the park.
I’m having this test next week just wondered if they told you to eat the food that trigger you. I have Achalasia and i’m eating mostly liquid diet. Will I be required to eat normal food during the 24 hour impedance test which is going to get stuck in my oesophagus as I have peristalsis why my muscles in my oesophagus don’t work properly and the sphincter doesn’t open to let the food into my stomach causing me to regurgitate the food that sits in my oesophagus. I just know, I’m going to struggle eating normal food during the test.
Definitely talk with your doctor about this. I was advised to eat normally with the tube in so the test was as accurate as possible with my day-to-day life. I'm sorry you are dealing with that, I hope you find the help to live a life free of the digestive problems. I was prescribed a drug called Rabeprazole which I still take daily and it has reduced my reflux tremendously.
Bro trust me, its your diet. Try this...........cut out chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and all fast food. I guarantee you this will go a long way to resolving your re-flux issues. And if after this theres still a little bit of re-flux, cut out all foods that have sugar added to them.
Hi there, have you ever talked about getting the results ?
My appointment was today. The first test Is the worst! I’ve been suffering for years now. I’ve been put on medication for the past three years. I had two different endoscope done. Mine got worse, I threw up my meals sometime. A lot of times I don’t have appetite. I get heartburn, no matter what I eat. I always get nausea and it sucks because I cannot take Gravol because it is ginger which is too acidic. Now I did this one test I’m getting mines removed tomorrow. Do you know what the next step is after this test once they do the reading?
Good luck to you, stay strong. You’ve been through a lot from the sounds of it. You should get test results within the week to see how severe your reflux is and doctor should recommend next step actions for you.
I’ve been taking a medication called Rabeprazole which helps subdue reflux. So that’s worked for me, but my main symptom has been constant congestion/feeling like something is in my throat so I’m always clearing my throat, some days better than others. So my life has been a constant tug of war between gastro and ENT doctors. ENT doctors conclude it must be reflux so they send me to Gastro docs who conclude it must be post nasal drip so they send me to ENT docs. I am allergic to dust mites so that might have some role in it…but anyway I pray you find the help you need. Good luck on your medical journey and remember you’re not alone in this.
@@GetmeouttahereErik thank you so much😊
I have similar issues. I don't really have acid reflux, I have throat phlegm all the time and always feel the need to throat clear, its awful
So the results came back I do have some significant reflux but it’s non-acidic and can be controlled with a medication called rabeprazole. Good news was I have no stomach ulcers, no damage in my esophagus, and no significant hiatal hernia, however my lower esophageal sphincter is loose meaning it isn’t closing completely and most likely why i have some reflux.
And good news is good news, but keeps me confused on what is causing the chronic congestion. It’s frustrating to have ENT doctors say it seems to be a gastro issue and gastro doctors say it seems to be a sinus issue. So still seeking an answer to the mystery, I know I have allergies to dust mites so that may be the culprit.
But I feel for you completely, constant post-nasal drip/throat congestion and need to clear it constantly. It’s not psychological because i will physically cough up phlegm in the sink in the morning after waking up, and when I don’t clear my throat my voice gets hoarse. So be very wary of doctors that try to sell you on that “it’s a habit” routine. I will be planning an update video soon to announce some big changes coming to my channel and health update. Wish you the best on your journey!
Getmeouttahere Erik Yea I am going through the same thing. Says it’s LPR than says it’s my deviated septum, it’s very hard to live with, I wish there was a cure. Thank you! I wish you luck as well
Getmeouttahere Erik Also if they say yours is non acidic maybe there isn’t enough acid in your stomach? I heard that can be the problem sometimes and there’s a medicine called gallbladder formula by Dr.Berg if you look it up. I heard it’s helped a lot of people!
@GetmeouttahereErik This sounds so familiar. I've been going through this for 4 years now. The ENT sends me to the allergist the allergist can't help they send me back to the ENT then he sends me to the gastro for more tests. I'm so over the post nasal. I want my life back😢
What if you vomit....will that mess with the test results? I ask this because my gerd is so bad that when I eat the foods I'm not supposed to eat...I vomit until its out of my stomach. My procedure is scheduled for April 19th.
Sorry to hear you’re dealing with that, talk to your doctor. I don’t think it would, the cord that monitors the acid in your stomach is fit well and if you do vomit, because of the flexibility and lack of tension in the cord I think would make it hard to actually vomit out of your stomach and esophagus.
If anything vomiting would further confirm the acid levels in your stomach and that would be measured on your device. But I’m not an expert so definitely have this conversation with your doctor, and perhaps limit any foods that trigger you that day.
Hope you get the help you’re looking for, stay positive. Acid reflux is no fun so I pray you find some relief to help you live a productive life.
@GetmeouttahereErik Thank you Erik!!! I appreciate your response and all of your kind words. ❤️
I want to talk also cannot the gag and vomit irrate me🙈
Did you feel it when swallowing?
Yes, I felt the tube everytime I swallowed. It’s uncomfortable but thankfully only for one day.
I'm having this done in April. Throat is chronically irritated. With tube rubbing against throat every time I swallow, not sure how it will be tolerable.@@GetmeouttahereErik
I bet you have low stomach acid