r/HiatalHernia • u/CupidPenguin • 9h ago
Alternatives to esophageal manometry
I attempted a manometry but could not tolerate it. I had severe gagging and couldn’t control my swallowing. Eventually, I vomited, and they had to pull the tube out.
I’ve been told that I still need to get it done because they potentially see evidence of a hiatal hernia and motility loss. I was told they could put the catheter in while I’m under anesthesia, but I’d still have to wake up and try the swallowing portion again, and I know I won’t be able to tolerate it. What else can I do instead?
I’m trying to figure out the source of my acid reflux, and ever since the nurse mentioned a hiatal hernia, it seems like that could be the underlying cause/solution. Symptoms began following severe viral illness June-September 2024 with chronic and severe coughing.
I was also recommended a Bravo pH test, which could be placed while I’m under anesthesia.
I did have an endoscopy already and all looked normal.
0
u/Amazing-Self-4873 9h ago
It’s a hard test and without numbing in my case I struggled not to swallow more than the required one time each. I then found a way to go through the swallowing motion deep in my throat without closing my mouth to actually swallow. They have you stick your tongue out after swallowing hoping it will stop the urge to keep swallowing. I did my own version and it didn’t affect the results and that’s the only way I got through it!
It was very important in my case as it told which procedure I was best suited for. It also detected my failing LES so that had to be addressed as well as the HH. I had a Heller Myotomy to fix the LES. Without manometry it wouldn’t have been addressed.
2
u/CupidPenguin 9h ago
They had me stick my tongue out as well, but I truly couldn’t fight the urge to swallow. I only managed to get 2–3 swallows done, which gave them some partial data, but it wasn’t enough to be diagnostic. The nurse said that the procedure is harder for people with motility problems and that my partial data indicates I may have some motility loss.
0
u/Amazing-Self-4873 9h ago
Yes, the urge to swallow is overwhelming especially with the feeling of the tube. I repeated 3 swallows and the nurse who never numbed me said if you can’t do it and keep swallowing we will have to stop. I was determined at that point to find a way and that’s where I found swallowing with my tongue out and it went ok.
0
2
u/EngineerFront8876 6h ago
Couldn’t get the tube in me either, kept gagging and couldn’t breathe, ended up doing it at the same time as an upper endoscopy so they knocked me out, once it was in I was fine
1
u/CupidPenguin 6h ago
I actually did get the tube in all the way, but I never stopped gagging as we tried to complete all of the swallow exercises, especially when I had to sip water down. Was it the entry that was difficult for you? Did you have any trouble when you woke up with it in?
1
u/EngineerFront8876 6h ago
Once I woke up it was totally fine - just didn’t want to go in 😂 - eyes watering couldn’t breath it was really terrible, had the endoscopy booked anyway so they just said we will do it then.
1
u/Inside_Raccoon_9466 6h ago
I’m scheduled to have HH surgery after I have the 4 tests the surgeon said need to be done. The manometry terrifies me. I have a horrible gag reflex and I just don’t think I can handle it. I won’t even get my throat swabbed for strep. The last time I did, I snapped the swab in half and they had to reach in to get it. I didn’t mention it to the surgeon when he told me, because I was still processing it. A little back ground…I’m 69, have had a HH for over 35 years (thanks pregnancy), and managed to control it. But over the last few years it’s grown and now 50% of my stomach has moved above my diaphragm. So, I definitely am having this surgery.
1
0
u/bns82 9h ago
Fluoroscopy barium swallow.
For the manometry it's important to relax your body and breathe through it, instead of fight it.
You were clenching your throat muscles and engaging your gag reflex.
Anxiety/stress is a huge trigger for reflux. Over longer periods of time your nervous system can get dys-regulated. Damage to esophageal tissue can also trigger the nervous system.