Haveing test done
Question:
Hi All I am having a motility study and PH test done in the next couple of weeks and would like to know what it is like. My GI has told me about the procedure but when I ask for more info he just says "you’ll be OK it’s a piece of cake". Is it a "piece of cake" or should I expect something more. Also I have heard that if I do in fact have a motility disorder there is nothing they can do about it except take Prepulsid which I cant because of a heart condition. Any help would be appreciated. KLC
Response:
The motility study is where a thin tube is passed down into your esophagus by swallowing it. The tube which is quite small in diameter is then slowly advanced down your esophagus as you are asked to swallow small sips of water. The tip of the "catheter" has a small hole in it that connects to a manometer and allows the doctor to measure esophageal pressure as the water moves down your esophagus by peristalsis into your stomach. The hardest part is getting the catheter to go down your esophagus and not your trachea. This is best done by slightly putting your chin down. Tilting your chin back may make it difficult to get it in the right place. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes and is a little uncomfortable but not unbearable. The pH study is where a tiny (thin) catheter is advanced through you nose and into your esophagus just a few centimeters above your LES (lower esophageal sphincter) ( the opening to your stomach) and is left there for 24 hrs. The catheter is taped to your nose and you are asked to try and do your normal activities of the day and keep a diary of your symptoms of heartburn. The catheter is attached to a recording device much like a holter monitor they use for heart patients and records acid pH above your LES which is a positive indicator for reflux. The tests are used in diagnosing reflux and determining viability for nissan procedures.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi All > I am having a motility study and PH test done in the next couple of weeks > and would like to know what it is like. > My GI has told me about the procedure but when I ask for more info he just > says "you’ll be OK it’s a piece of cake". > Is it a "piece of cake" or should I expect something more. > Also I have heard that if I do in fact have a motility disorder there is > nothing they can do about it except take Prepulsid which I cant because of a > heart condition. > Any help would be appreciated. > KLC
Response:
The motility test takes a half-hour or more and is very uncomfortable. Why kind of gag reflex do you have? The PH test I didn’t take because I was supposed to stay off my medication for three days before, but by the second night my heartburn was so bad I couldn’t sleep. ==seckatary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi All > I am having a motility study and PH test done in the next couple of weeks > and would like to know what it is like. > My GI has told me about the procedure but when I ask for more info he just > says "you’ll be OK it’s a piece of cake". > Is it a "piece of cake" or should I expect something more. > Also I have heard that if I do in fact have a motility disorder there is > nothing they can do about it except take Prepulsid which I cant because of a > heart condition. > Any help would be appreciated. > KLC
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Response:
I had both the 30 min and 24 hour tests done (actually been through them 3 times now) They are uncomfortable but not paintful. I have also been diagnosed with a small motility problem. I had "open" i.e. conventional reflux surgery in April 1999 and this has not helped my symptoms although the repair of a hiatus hernia, which was previously present was successful. It has recently come to light that I have a gastric emptying problem with solid food and this may infact be the root cause of my problems (which started after I was hit on my right abdomen by a car). I would caution you on the success of surgery, given my experience but every case is obviously different. Bottom line is make sure you get an absolute definite prognosis as to what the underlying problem is. It is certainly worth going through the tests in order to try and achieve this. Good luck.
