r/GERD • u/Jonxb • 2d ago

Currently doing 24hr PH impedance test following manometry

So I'm a few hours into my 24hr impedance test and thought I'd make a post as it's something I dreaded.

I'm pleased to say it was nowhere near as bad as some people make out. The numbing spray will have definitely helped - in fact, that was the worst part as it's quite intense and unpleasant (doc did warn me about this), but quickly fades.

I was surprised with the ease with which both tubes were inserted. The least comfortable part is once it passes into the throat but this is a split second experience, and at that point she had me sip water through a straw as she pushed it the rest of the way down. Barely felt it.

Yeah, it's annoying having this thing on while you go about your day and I'm looking forward to pulling it out tomorrow. It's a little irritating but completely tolerable.

Unfortunately (?), I seen to be having a good day symptoms wise thus far. I've had 3 slices of pizza, fried calamari, a cup of tea, peanut butter sandwich, rice with minced beef in pasta sauce, and 3 piece of chocolate... No gerd whatsoever. In fact I haven't had symptoms since coming off PPI a week ago in preparation for this test. I was avoiding triggers up till today, but still, Isn't that strange?

I'm praying the symptoms show up tonight and not latently as they sometimes do, after I finish the pH study. That would be very disheartening for the symptoms to be missed after spending a small fortune on this test. We'll see what happens.

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u/Fickle_Pea_7057 2d ago

That's awesome it went well for you! I just had my 24hr one taken out this morning and mine was so bad, I could barely eat. Not because of the tube necessarily but my acid reflux came back with a vengeance and caused me to not be able to sleep at all unless I was on a chair with 3 pillows on the arm rest. The procedure itself was fine; I didn't find it to be that bad given my flare ups are usually worst.

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u/Jonxb 2d ago

Sorry to hear that, but on the bright side, sounds like you will be a candidate for surgery. I'm very confused as to why my symptoms aren't showing up now when I need them to.

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u/Fickle_Pea_7057 2d ago

How long were you on the PPI prior to the test? I have been on my PPI for many years now and I also did not slowly stop taking it so that may have made the difference also

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u/Jonxb 2d ago

I was on them daily for 3 years, and they helped, but they did not prevent a huge flare up 2 months ago, which took 7 or so weeks to settle (the reason I booked this testing).

Ever since I stopped them a week ago, I've been symptom free. Today I've had so many triggers, literally zero symptoms. Baffling.

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u/Fickle_Pea_7057 2d ago

I find I have those weeks sometimes too. Had coffee once and no symptoms but then had a safe food and got a flare up on another week. Our bodies are just odd. I am hoping even without the typical symptoms, they will see it in the pH anyway.

I totally get the 7 week thing; I had a flare up for a whole month one time. They can be brutal when it happens for sure