Acid Reflux PH study

Anyone ever get a PH study done?

Due to severe acid reflux and GERD the head of our bed is always about 6in elevated plus I TRY to sleep on two pillows.

After this morning's EGD the Dr. says:
My small intestines are pristine,
My micropouch is perfect
No hernia
My esophagus had a small amount of irritation, he took a biopsy

So WHY am I having severe acid as well as aspiration (infection/inflammation of the lungs was seen on a CT scan a few weeks ago) of acid into my lungs so often? Plus nausea all the time and even vomiting. I also have abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Y'all: I FEEL LIKE CRAP. IM SO TIRED. I haven't worked since 2/15 because of all this. I can't afford to be off and no income anymore.

I know none of us are doctors. I'm just looking for thoughts. Thank you everyone!

I can relate. I have been on Rx Dexilant ($$$) for a few years now. My esophagus is slightly damaged app 4-5% Barrett Esophagus. This year I will be trying to get off of them again.

Mine is probably caused by food and additives allergies and intolerances. Additives in foods and in meds, like I.e. "fillers," also not properly called "inactive" ingredients. Some meds use SLS or lactose to open cells and allow the meds go in, get absorbed. I react badly with even traces of SLS. Plus fructose. HFCS - added to food or drinks is really bad for me.

I most likely have SIBO and Candida. That most likely caused leaky gut syndrome. Some foods or food combination may result in severe GERD for 48-72 no matter what. Things that combined dough and dairy and meat and tomatoes - like pizza, is a big trigger for me. More than 1/2" sliver of pizza my guy may have can cause me a good night sleep. I had days and weeks I slept in a recliner.

I would suggest you get tested for allergies.

I take generic allegra and Zyrtec in the morning, Benadryl at night. Plus I checked a couple of calcium carbonate Tums before bed. And have a few in my side table to take if I need in a middle of the night. Not eating anything heavy at least 1-2 hours before bed and drinking more water/ weak green tea helps to move the food from my pouch to my small intestine.

I basically do the same routine: Benadryl at night, Zyrtec in the morning, chew Tums like candy. The omeprazole and other medicines tamed the symptoms at first but now nothing helps. I'm so tired and miserable and my chest hurts from the aspiration. I will look in to allergy testing!!

I've read a lot of posts over the years from people whose lap bands caused severe reflux and GERD. Removing the band, and possibly revising to an RNY, seems to help many people.

I have already been revised to an rny micropouch in 2011.

What is a micropouch?

My original rny pouch was herniated into my diaphragm and part of the pouch died. So I have a pouch the size of a grape now.

I've had numerous pH studies. A couple thoughts. If you're on a PPI, make sure it's one that works with your body chemistry. When my acid was at its worst, my primary care asked me if I'd ever had a blood test to see if I had a gene mutation that affected the rate of PPI metabolism. Ummm, no. So she ordered the test and apparently I have the gene. I can't take opeprazole, or really any other PPI other than Prevacid/Dexilant. I metabolize the others so quickly that I might as well not take anything. While Prevacid/Dexilant doesn't sole my problem it does give me some relief (I revised from VSG to RNY in July 2016.)

If you haven't done a pH study, I would get it done, so they can actually see what your acid level is and how many reflux episodes you're helping. The test SUCKS particularly if they don't do the Bravo study, where the sensor is clipped to your esophagus. But I truly believe that without knowing your exact number, the med professionals can't come up with a proper treatment plan.

If you have any questions, I'm more than willing to try and answer. I'm no expert, but as someone who has gone (and is still going through) it, I can at least offer a shoulder.

I follow up with my Bariatric surgeon on Friday to get the results of the Bravo study. I had been taking omeprazole but now it seems to do nothing for my issues. I eat Tums like candy however not during the PH study. My chest is sore from the aspiration and I'm so darn tired. My bed is six inches raised at the head and I sleep on two pillows-when I can sleep. I didn't seem to feel much acid during the 48hour Bravo study and I didn't aspirate during that time. I'm so worried he will tell me nothing is wrong. This dr told me my symptoms were in my head that nothing was functionally wrong last year. He finally did an exploratory surgery and removed adhesions, scar tissue, and fixed a hernia. I finally had some relief from stomach pain. If he finds nothing wrong with the PH study I will ask about the blood test. Do you recall the name of the test? Thank you so much. Having someone understand is so encouraging!!

amber

I posted about it before here, but am having trouble locating my old posts. It's a test to check for a mutation of Cytochrome P450 2C19 (abbreviated CYP2C19). If you have the mutation, you are an ultra rapid metabolizer and Omeprazole will do nothing for you. Prevacid/Dexilant is different because it's metabolized through a different channel in the liver. You could always try OTC prevacid to see if it offers more relief. Prevacid is the precursor to Dexilant. My GI doctor told me to just double up on the prevacid, so I take 2 capsules at a time.