Difficulty swallowing,getting stuck, Heartburn,reflux,and/or Chest Pain.......

Insist on this test.

It seems that most doctors are performing endoscopy test when we complain about difficulty swallowing, getting stuck, heartburn,reflux,and/or chest pain. esophageal tests always seem to come back " normal " and yet we still continue to suffer from difficulty swallowing, getting stuck, heartburn,reflux,and/or chest pain   I was going to have this test done while I was in the hospital,but they ended up removing the band instead so I never had the test performed.

Esophageal Manometry

 

Esophageal manometry is an outpatient test used to identify problems with movement and pressure in the esophagus that may lead to problems like heartburn. The esophagus is the "food pipe" leading from the mouth to the stomach. Manometry measures the strength and muscle coordination of your esophagus when you swallow.

During the manometry test, a tube is passed through the nose, along the back of the throat, down the esophagus, and into the stomach.
 

The esophageal manometry test may be given to people who have the following conditions:

• Difficulty swallowing.
• Heartburn or reflux.
• Chest pain.

How Does Esophageal Manometry Work?

Your esophagus moves food from your throat down to your stomach with a wave-like motion called peristalsis. Manometry will indicate how well the esophagus can perform peristalsis. Manometry also allows the doctor to examine the muscular valve connecting the esophagus with the stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. This valve relaxes to allow food and liquid to enter the stomach. It closes to prevent food and liquid from moving out of the stomach and back up the esophagus.

Abnormalities with peristalsis and LES function may cause symptoms such as swallowing difficulty, heartburn, or chest pain. Information obtained from manometry may help doctors to identify the problem. The information is also very important for surgery to treat reflux.

What Happens Before the Esophageal Manometry Test?

Before you have an esophageal manometry test, be sure to tell the doctor if you are pregnant, have a lung or heart condition, have any other medical problems or diseases, or if you are allergic to any medications.

Can I Continue to Take Medication Before Esophageal Manometry?

There are some medications that may interfere with esophageal manometry.

• Proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, Protonix, and Nexium)
• H2 blockers (such as Pepcid and Zantac)
• Antacids (such as Tums and Maalox)
• Calcium channel blockers (such as Procardia and Cardizem)
• Nitrate medications (such as Isordil and nitroglycerin)
• Beta-blockers (such as Inderal and Corgard)
• Caffeine

It is very important that you talk to your doctor about all drugs you are taking prior to your test.

Do not discontinue any medication without first consulting with your doctor.

Can I Eat or Drink Before Esophageal Manometry?

Do not eat or drink anything eight hours before an esophageal manometry.

What Happens During an Esophageal Manometry?

You are not sedated during an esophageal manometry, although a topical anesthetic (pain-relieving medication) may be applied to your nose to make the passage of the tube more comfortable.

A small, flexible tube is passed through your nose, down your esophagus, and into your stomach. The tube does not interfere with your breathing. You are seated while the tube is inserted. The tube is connected to a machine that records the contractions of the esophageal muscles on a graph.
 

You may feel some discomfort as the tube is being placed, but it takes only about a minute to place the tube. Most patients quickly adjust to the tube's presence. Vomiting and coughing are possible when the tube is being placed, but are rare.

After the tube is inserted, you are asked to lie on your left side.

A small sensor records each time you swallow. During the test you will be asked to swallow water at certain times.

The tube is then slowly withdrawn. The gastroenterologist (a doctor who specializes in conditions of the gastrointestinal tract) will interpret the esophageal contractions that were recorded during the test.

The test lasts from 30 to 40 minutes.

What Happens After an Esophageal Manometry?

• You may resume your normal diet and activities after an esophageal manometry.
• You may feel a temporary soreness in your throat. Lozenges or gargling with sal****er may help.

That was one of my pre-op tests that I had to complete.  Unpleasant, but I guess it served a good purpose!

Really ?
This is the first time I have ever heard of any surgeon requiring this for a pre-op.
Kudos to your surgeon

Well, I WOULD give him kudos, but he was quack!!  He totally placed my band wrong.  He was run out of Texas.  I know of 2 people PERSONALLY that had surgery with him and he never put their band around their stomach/stoma.  It was just floating out beside the stomach, latched, and doing to good!! 

So, while the test is probably VERY useful for someone that is going to get the Lapband, I doubt he could have even read the results!  ha ha ha

My new surgeon, the one that re-positioned my band, doesn't require this test before surgery. 

OMG I would have been furious at the guy. Were any of his patients able to get compensation for removal and revision ?

No compensation.  Since there was no loss of life or limb, it would be small change, and the one girl I know went to several lawyers.  They just weren't willing to sue him if it wasn't big money. 

I was lucky enough to have a band that semi-worked, until it slipped.  

I hate that he got away with that.

Now that's just scarey Melly!!!!! the things nightmares are made of!
Glad you got it fixed.
I had a swallow study to determine that my esophagus and stomach moved things appropriately, motility was good, timing, etc.

Yes, I hope he has somehow lost his license! 

I tried to join your group 2x's with no response.  Do you not let people know if they are not allowed?