Hi there, I'm having impedance ph testing in August and I've just received the letter giving me an appointment date. The letter seems to suggest that I stop all meds ( including ppis) before the test. I'm worried that this will completely wreck my throat again. I was also under the impression that I would carry on with the ppis while the test was performed. Just wondering if anyone has experience of this test and can give me some pointers? How did you get on stopping the meds? Was it ok? Did you recover afterwards? Also just wondering what to expect. I've heard it's quite a horrible test. At this point I don't care, I just want my symptoms to go away and I suppose this test is the last hurdle before surgery.
Thanks
Hi Stella. The purpose of the test is to see if acid is breaking through your oesophageal sphincter and its strength. PPIs lower the strength of the acid so to stay on them would give a false reading. It's not a bad test. The tube is very thin. It can be irritating and it is a relief when it is taken out but on the whole, it's not that bad so don't worry. It sounds like PPIs are working for you. Once you are back on your PPIs you should heal very quickly. Hope this helps, Paula
I've had the test, uncomfortable at worst. I stopped taking my meds for only 48 hours before the tests then continued afterwards. It was all part of the decision to offer LINX I think I've had every test available which I accept it's the only way the doctors can make the best way forward so I'm in total agreement
Hi there, thanks so much for your reply. Did you have any acid rebound? I've just had a period of three weeks recovering from damage caused by just cutting down on Gaviscon so stopping ppis for a week terrifies me! Are you in the UK? I'm hoping for Linx surgery, my doc isn't convinced by it but I think it's the right option for me given my circumstances.
Hi Lucinia, I think they are concerned that acid isn't the full cause of my symptoms, that's why it's a ph impedance test, as that measures all reflux, not just acid. My symptoms came back horrendously when I cut back on the domperidone and Gaviscon but kept on the esomeprazole. Even so, I'm dreading stopping any meds as I know my mouth will get covered in blisters again and food will get stuck. It's very scary.
Ps, I've had all the tests, too. This one makes a full set I think ;-)
No I was fine, they have just discovered that if your on ppis for too long it can increase your chance of barretts. Domperidone disnt work for me
i, in the uk in Devon why isn't your doctor convinced ? I'm mow part of a lomg term study for LINX due to the small amount of patients having had it done
Who has discovered that long term ppis can increase your chance of barretts? This concerns me - I've been on them for 20 years and my mother had oesophageal cancer.
I can only say what my consultant said, I've been on ppi s for over 30 yrs an d my surgeon said they were never meant to be take. For so long
Hi , my doc didn't go into details but that's a conversation I plan to have with him. Were there any restrictions to having the Linx surgery? I know they only do it at a handful of hospitals and I believe there are restrictions - as in they only take certain patients. Did it take long for your referral?
As for the ppi thing, I think long term use can cause benign stomach polyps. Never heard of the Barretts connection.
I do kmow there are restrictions but I'm not sure what they are but they are fairly rigid so I was lucky I fitted the criteria. I've had 3 colonoscopies over the last 4 yrs and have found
polyps each time on my bowel but I don't know if they're related my referral was quick
Hi Lovelane, do you have link for this please? Im on ppis (lansoprozole) and already have barretts. If this is so, Im concerned that ppis could make already existing barretts worse. I know they are not meant to be taken for so long, though ive only been on them for two years.
I don't have a link as it's only something my consultant said it scared the hellout of me I'm just so glad I had LI X. The only prob I have now is I have terrible gas after I eat it's so uncomfortable and feel bloated but I'm hoping it's something will srllte down in a few weeks
Hi Stella, I didn't need the ph test as I had are barium swallow ten days ago and the consultant was in no doubt that I needed the operation to put back my hiatus hernia. I am now lying in my hospital bed at 5.20am Saturday morning June 28th having had the op at 5pm 11.30am yesterday. The only bad thing I have experienced so far is the really bad pains in my shoulders and along my chest. If the doctor had not told me that it is the remaining air that they pumped into me to help with the op I would have I was having a heart attack. Very strong pain killers helped me sleep and here I am now having had ice cream and jelly for dinner last night and waiting more of the same for breakfast.
I still can't believe that after 15 years of suffering with barking coughing,vomiting anti reflux and acid in my throat that this is now all over. They have put back the 10cm hernia put other
I had a 10cm hiatus hernia plus a split in my ostophicos can't remember how to spell that. Anyway will keep you informed as to how I'm doing.
Btw I have heard that the ph test is absolutely fine and the be honest it is better to have than to go through the the pain and suffering over the years as apposed to 24 hours.
take care
Rochelle
Hi there, I have Barretts too but I'm pretty sure that the ppis don't make it worse, I've done lots of research and only ever come across the benign stomach polyp connection, so don't worry too much. My brother has been on ppis for 20 years and doesn't have Barretts. Same with my mum. If they have told you that you need tablets forever then it may be worth considering surgery. Even if I was fine on tablets ( which I'm not) then I would have gone down the surgery route as I don't want to take them for life.
Hi Rochelle,so glad to hear of your experiences and that you are on the mend. I've had a barium swallow too and as one doc put it "you're refluxing, there's no doubt about that!" So im pretty sure that whatever is coming up is giving me my symptoms despite the tablets. Not half as bad as before ( no coughing up blood or waking and choking in the middle of the night but still lump in the throat and burning) I don't get heartburn so it's hard to tell what damage is being done. I got oesophagitis and.barretts without knowing 
Have you had fundoplication? It will be so good to hear how you are doing in case that's the route I have to go down.
Hi there, I've got a bad feeling that I won't qualify as I have Barretts - really short segment but it's there. Going to chase it though. It would be good to hear how you are getting on 
Rochelle, are you in the UK?
Hi Stella, good and bad really. All the symptoms have completely gone 100 per cent and. No longer need any meds, I'm sleeping fine no pain discomfort coughing regurgitation or acid. The only prob post op is I have terrible gas after I've eaten I'm belching terribly and my stomach bloats I'm hoping this will settle Dow soon