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24 hr pH monitoring/bile reflux

Posted , 14 users are following.

Anxious_Alex
Anxious_Alex

Hi

I have had two years of absolute misery, not just physical but also the despair and misery that accompanies any kind of reflux. Long story short (as I have posted details elsewhere in this forum), my symptoms are mostly the LPR kind - little heartburn, mostly respiratory; coughing, wheezing, sore throat, earache, sinus/nasal problems. My journey has taken me from GP to ENT/Endo/Gastro and round the block many times. Failed PPI, ranitidine, diet etc. All the usuals. Eventually, an endoscopy in November showed hiatal hernia and significant bile reflux. GI then sent me for manometry/24 hour PH monitoring with a view to having fundoplication. Not an easily undertaken option but when you get desperate enough, yes, you want it.

So, I just had the PH test and, sods law, I was practically symptom free from the moment the catheter went in, and the coughing and regurgitation returned within an hour of the tube being removed! I feel absolutely devastated that this test may not show what I usually feel, and that this long journey will be no further on.

The monitor was a Sandhill Sleuth and was set for two PH readings, one of which remained mostly between 1.5 and 2.0, the other mostly around 7.2 with regular peaks well above that but some at around 6.8

My concern is that the higher readings would presumably be the bile reflux so I hope there are enough above 7 to prove that, despite the lack of usual symptoms. I can only guess that the other reading must have been in my stomach. I didn't realise they did that but how else could that reading be constantly low PH? Has anyone else had their symptoms just disappear on the day of the test? Is this common? I am so upset that my 'day' was atypical and am very worried that my care/treatment plan may be discontinued now. I am to make an appointment directly with my very nice GI; results in about 4 weeks. I know I will not be able to go on much longer if my test results don't show what I normally experience and this route is then denied me.

3 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • Rickey
    Rickey

    Posted

    Of course Alex. Jesus' first miracle had something to with wine smile Thank you for your openness. I'm sorry to hear of your prolonged difficulties. You can count on me to be praying for you even if you don't believe it will help. I hope you find the cures you need and all the best to you today my friend.
  • Rickey
    Rickey

    Posted

    oh and please forgive me. I feel I was a bit insensitive to the struggle you're having with bile reflux. I don't have that much knowledge about it but I do get some bile up into my mouth on occasion.
  • linda52539
    linda52539

    Posted

    I too a m suffering with both the reflux itself cough, sore throat, a bit of wheezing a little chest pain severe

    depression and the side effects of ppis to which I have reacted horribly and after 10 days off them still

    feeling exhausted and a bit dizzy. Now not sure which is due to drugs and which due to reflux. I had an

    endoscopy last month and I have gastric atrophy and a weak oesaphagus which means that I may not be a candidate for surgery. I am being a bit dim but could someone explain the pepsin and bile issue

    would that show up on the endoscopy or on the test through your nose ( about which I am terrified ) .

    I now take only gaviscon extra and a tiny amount of ranitidine which probably doesnt help much and to

    which I also respond badly.

    It really is a pernicious illness from which there seems no escape even in sleep which is of course

    disturbed by it. I do sympathise with other sufferers.

  • Sourtongue8
    Sourtongue8

    Posted

    Hi Alex

    I just thought I would let you know, on Monday I started taking super drug 400mg ibrofen

    4times a day, my symptoms have improved, I'm not sure if it's because the acid causes inflammation

    But I have a substantial marked improvement, I know this is not a long term solution

    But it's giving my body a break so when I see the specialist I can tell him what I have been

    Doing, I must confess I have been doubling the dose, taking two not one, I have had no side

    Effects but my earache jaw ache sore throat to name but a few symptoms are so much

    Better, after 3 miserable years crying and depression hopefully there may be a cure

    So I can start to lead a normal life, I'm not asking you to try but I'd just thought maybe

    Your internal tissue is inflamed.

  • baron37
    baron37 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    I  saw your post and surprisingly, I just had the 24 hr acid monitoring test and I experienced the same as you.  I too, was clear of any of my symptoms for all the time the tube was in and when pulled out upon study completion I experienced my symptoms, but, not immediately.  Mine came back about 2-3 hours afterward.  I have not yet spoken to my Dr. but am curious as to wheter the placement of the tube just above the LES somehow interacted with the Vagus nerve to cause the symtoms to cease.   I have seen posts from others under Vagus Nerve Sypmtom blog and many there believe the Vagus nerve is affected by the Hiatal hernia condition.  That position I believe is possible short of any other explanation for gastro, headache, dizziness and nausea sypmtoms.  Possible?
    • lynn58804
      lynn58804 baron37

      Posted

      Hi I hope you don’t mind me asking but I am scheduled to have a ph procedure after Xmas, I have had an endoscopy which I coped with and was over in mins. I have such a terrible fear of choking so could you tell me what your experience was with the tube going up your nose and down your throat? Also did you have to keep it in for 24hours? Sorry for all the questions but this has really spoiled my Xmas as I am such a coward, thanks Lynn 
  • arjun88968
    arjun88968 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Hi Alex,

    I am really amazed to see very similar case as mine.Today i had my 24hr phtest and results.Results are pretty clear and no reflux at all.But i am literally struggling from last three years.Almost after every meal,i get hoarseness in throat and followed by cough and yeilds to breathlessness.For the first two years i was misdiagonised with asthma.After much observation i had my endoscopy and found some reflux.After three months of medication,it didnt control,hence went for manometry and 24hr phmetry tests.Both have not showed up any problems.

    when being in 24 hour test condition,i failed to reproduce symptoms properly. Doctor predicted this cause as my nerveousness,anxiousness and given some basic esomprazole combination.I will update my status in a month.

  • Krastaciems112
    Krastaciems112 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Hello!

    I know how you feel Alex....

    Im almost in the same situation as you!

    Im 21 year old, healty... 180 cm and 70 kg.... dont have any other problems with health just this....

    It all started year ago when i got bad sore troath and temprature... Doctor gave me antibotics.... after two weeks in bed my tamprature was gone but the troath was still sore... i woke up every morring for 3 months with sore troath.... Doctor put me on Omaprozol 20 mg 2 times a day... and that didnt help... now its one year i have done all the test but... they showed me small reflux... and doctor told me that it could not make my troath so sore.... well after that i did 24-h PH... it was 1 month ago and the test didnt showed that i dont have any reflux at all.... the troath is still sore and i dont know what to do.... im desperet. 

    Anyone know what to do?

    Sorry for my english im form Latvia 

  • leswright
    leswright Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Sitting here with the 24-hour monitor down my nose right now and wishing I knew what these two PH readings mean!

    I'm a teacher and my LPR is seriously affecting my ability to work, but I can't afford not to. Many nights crying, anxiety and depression....it's not good. Very sore ears, stabbing pain from chin to diaphragm, globus, and no help at all from 10 weeks of high PPI dose treatment.

    Hopefully this test will tell us whether I need surgery or at least what is going on.

    • umzyi
      umzyi leswright

      Posted

      I have similar symptoms as yours. What did you find from your ph test?
  • brandi82
    brandi82 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Do you care to share how your results went. My lil man had one and his and it dropped several times below 4 & was above 7 alot

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