Diagnosing for achalasia: have you had endoscopy and manometry tests done at the same time?

Thanks Danielle for your respond. The barium test was done, and it shows very little retention at the end of the esaphagus, thus the achalasia is suspected. But now I was advised to get both manometry and the endoscopy done at once. Manometry needs to be done awake, as you said and the endoscopy while under sedative, I was told. So just wondering if anybody get it done together, I really would like to appreciate any insight on this.

No but at least you're getting all done at once. All my testing was done half ass backwards though. I started with an endoscopy. There were zero strictures and there was some resistance getting into my stomach. After that i was sent for a manometry. I have no idea why this Dr did it Bc the result was there was nothing he could do. He had to send me to a bigger hospital. They did a small dilation Bc they were not comfortable doing a full on dilation since they were not able to read my first manometry Bc it was a very old technology. So they scheduled for another manometry with their far more advanced equipment. After that it was no doubt I had achalasia. I'm a candidate for POEM and this hospital was only training to do this and not ready to perform it. So now I am at university of Michigan. They did a barium swallow and of course its text book achalasia. I'm now prepping for surgery that will hopefully happen no later than June. So it's a really good thing to have two tests done at the same time. Good luck!!

That would have been nice!! Since half the battle is getting that tube up your nose and down your throat.

That sounds more convenient. I like that.

Thank you All for your reply. DWJRN, I see what you say, maybe that's why here they are doing manometry first then followed by egd. Then again, at Johns Hopkins they do it the other way around, thanks for letting me know Jimmyduc, this making sense considering that your stomach suppose to be completely empty while you are sedated for egd. It looks like I need to ask some more question from my GI specialist. 

You're welcome. Hey, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can about this horrific disease. We all need someone to talk to and someone who truly cares and understands. I've learned a lot from all of you. And I'm so sorry some of you are having it much tougher than I am. My main problem is aspirating in my sleep. Which has caused several episodes of aspiration pneumonia thats landed me in the hospital several times. They misdiagnosed me for 15 years! They said I had GERD and I never have. In the meanwhile, over a 15 year period they have done six esophageal dilatations on me that my new GI doc and surgeon alike told me that I shouldn't have ever had one, moreover 6! All it did was stretch my throat into a second like stomach. It acts as a large reservoir and can hold three meals. Sometimes taking up to 24 to 48 hours to finally squeeze through my hypertensive LES. They never once did a dilatation to my LES. How it was missed all these years I'll never know. But it angers me. I've seen an attorney for it in fact. Years of suffering when I never had to. One bout of pneumonia after the other. But that's another different story. Ty so much.

You have to be awake for a manometry to swallow the normal saline. I'm just saying I've never heard of it nor would I want to chance my test being off because of the anesthesia

Thanks janet65561 for letting me know. I will really appreciate if you could please elaborate a bit more about your experience. Your doctor might have explained the pros/cons of getting it done that way, maybe, mano/ egd vs. egd/ mano? Please excuse me if I'm asking too much, obviously I'm worried a lot.

Boy oh boy it does seem like they are getting sloppy. It seems like the money making testing process is in full force. I'm still waiting to hear any GI doctor actually sit his or her patient down and explain what the hell they are doing and why and if they do this this and this you may experience this!!!! What I know is I've had every test and more mentioned above and unless you ask they tell you nothing. Don't only ask questions here make your voice heard and make it heard in front of the person or people who matter. Please, above all ask what happens after they alter your body. This is most important!!!! You need to know what to expect. You don't want any surprises, you'll have enough to deal with. Believe me , I'm talking from experience.

You're right Robert and thanks a lot for your respond. Here it's really useful for us, who newly thrown into this uncharted territory, to hear it from first-hand experiences, like yours who took time to reply, and then learn what to ask from the GI specialists. Giving the rarity of the disease, it's great to find that you're not alone and people are willing to share experiences and help each other out as much as they could. Thank you all and the people who created this site very much.

He said I was fortunate to be able to have done after my EGD, because it

can be an unpleasant experience to have done otherwise.

Ds98, you are fine. There are no dumb questions and nor can you ask too many. This is a frightening disease and we have to be there for one another. That was my goal in starting this thread. Let's share and help each other the best we can. 😊

Then it must be ok to have it done that way. I just know I had to be awake to swallow the 10 sips of normal saline they

give you.

Well said Robert! Some Dr's will leave you in the dark and want tell you a thing. And when you ask a question, some can be so rude and abrupt. It's our body. We want to know what's going on with it and should have test results after a reasonable amount of time. Drs aren't the Gods many think they are. That's why I've seen several and will continue to do so until I am comfortable with what they propose I have done. Just because one surgeon excels in a particular type of Fundoplication doesn't mean that particular one is best for us! Take charge of your own body. NEVER be afraid to ask questions or demand to be told what our tests results showed. Ty guy!