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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lonely on March 9, 2006, at 0:07:51
I'm thinking about taking part in a research trial and one of the requirements is a Ph probe for possible gastric reflux. I don't particularly think of myself as having gastric reflux but the test is a requirement.
So, my question is: Has anyone else had any experience with the 24 hour ph probe? It goes through the nose and into the stomach and is kept there for 24 hours. It's attached to a monitor to be worn all the time and one presses buttons indicating eating or burping, etc. as I understand it. During that time I'm supposed to live my "normal" life!
The last time I had a tube put down my nose and into stomach was awful. It lasted about an hour and I gagged and wretched and it hurt and was miserable. However, that might have been a larger tube as they were actually collecting fluids. They do not use sedation for this ph probe saying I don't need it. I've read that they use some sort of device that causes pressure to see if they have the tube in the right place. Doesn't that hurt? Does the gag relfex ever let up? Last time, even w/o the tube in place I was nauseated and had a sore stomach for at least the rest of the day and even yucky the next day. Sometimes I really feel that gastroenterology is one of the most sadistic specialties around! Sorry, I'm just letting it all hang out before it really does hang out!
Posted by James K on March 9, 2006, at 15:27:54
In reply to Ph Probe - Gastro, posted by Lonely on March 9, 2006, at 0:07:51
Yeah, I had it. It was a requirement to see how bad my reflux was so I could qualify for stomach surgery.
It's not that bad. Small tube. I gagged a lot when they tried to put it in, but I suspect my reflux had sensitized everything. They'll spray you with numbing spray first then you just have to breathe and stay calm.
Once it is in, no problem. I did have some nasal irritation by the end of the period, because of bent nose/septum issues, so if they give you a choice of sides, choose your most open one. Ask any questions you want, or I forgot to answer myself.
James K
Posted by Lonely on March 9, 2006, at 21:49:12
In reply to Re: Ph Probe - Gastro » Lonely, posted by James K on March 9, 2006, at 15:27:54
Thanks, James. I appreciate your insight.
Um, er, uh, could I ask .... did you actually vomit (sorry to be so coarse) or did you have any trouble breathing? Did you sneeze or eyes water? Did they say or do anything soothing for you? Did you feel any pain in your stomach? How was eating and drinking? I've read that one is not supposed to shower but I'm thinking about doing it anyway ... just wrapping up the box really well w/plastic. Did you drive yourself home? Did you take or did they offer you any kind of sedation? Did you have any trouble with the tube pulling up or coming untaped? How did you sleep? Did they check your blood pressure first? I know mine will go out of sight over the stress and annoyance and that will absolutely flip them out.
Trying to be delicate here but ... going to the bathroom ... the recorder box is clipped on slax I guess and I have visions of it pulling off and jerking the tube out of my nose. Several months ago I had a heart monitor on with leads and found it was a hassle to go to the bathroom because too many things to think about at an urgent moment. I finally got annoyed after 6 hours and pulled it all off.
Looks like I have a couple weeks now before it will be done apparently as outpatient at a large hospital.
> Yeah, I had it. It was a requirement to see how bad my reflux was so I could qualify for stomach surgery.
>
> It's not that bad. Small tube. I gagged a lot when they tried to put it in, but I suspect my reflux had sensitized everything. They'll spray you with numbing spray first then you just have to breathe and stay calm.
>
> Once it is in, no problem. I did have some nasal irritation by the end of the period, because of bent nose/septum issues, so if they give you a choice of sides, choose your most open one. Ask any questions you want, or I forgot to answer myself.
>
> James K
Posted by James K on March 9, 2006, at 22:11:15
In reply to Re: Ph Probe - Gastro » James K, posted by Lonely on March 9, 2006, at 21:49:12
> Thanks, James. I appreciate your insight.
>
> Um, er, uh, could I ask ....--You can ask, and I'll answer just about anything.
did you actually vomit (sorry to be so coarse) or did you have any trouble breathing? Did you sneeze or eyes water?
---Only in the insertion several moments, (this could take one attempt, with me it took several)
I gagged, not vomit just "hugh, hugh" We waited a second, she was calm, said relax, breathe either In or Out? and we'll try again, and just swallow when I say.
Did they say or do anything soothing for you? Did you feel any pain in your stomach? How was eating and drinking?---no stomach pain at all, I did stay home that day, but ate, slept, drank, as normal. Just had to record what I was doing.
I've read that one is not supposed to shower but I'm thinking about doing it anyway ... just wrapping up the box really well w/plastic. Did you drive yourself home? Did you take or did they offer you any kind of sedation? Did you have any trouble with the tube pulling up or coming untaped?
---Since it was only 24 or so hours, I don't think I showered or worried about a poor sleep night. No, I always have someone with me when I have stuff done, just because I'm soft like that. No, the tube was totally stable. (I can't remember if it was taped on my face?, that may be why I experienced interior nasal irritation.) No drugs, but if I did it tomorrow, I might take a klonopin, and or pain pill. But I had to keep in mind, I wanted an accurate reading because I wanted the surgery, and I had to prove my reflux was bad enough to qualify for it.
How did you sleep? Did they check your blood pressure first? I know mine will go out of sight over the stress and annoyance and that will absolutely flip them out.
---They probably did BP check, but don't remember. After gag reflux, mine may have went up, but I got the impression I was a bad case. (the acid had so hurt my throat, that I took the tickle harder than the next guy)
>
> Trying to be delicate here but ... going to the bathroom ... the recorder box is clipped on slax I guess and I have visions of it pulling off and jerking the tube out of my nose. Several months ago I had a heart monitor on with leads and found it was a hassle to go to the bathroom because too many things to think about at an urgent moment. I finally got annoyed after 6 hours and pulled it all off.
---I don't remember a single issue like that. I guess there was some dealing with it, but it was a small item, and easily dealt with.
>
> Looks like I have a couple weeks now before it will be done apparently as outpatient at a large hospital.---I don't remember exactly why you are having it done, but it is really harmless as far as tests go. A couple of minutes of bad/uncomfortable and then 24 hours of annoyance/livable.
Hope that helps. I mean this to say this is very doable. Not "fun" but not "hell"?
James K
>
>
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