As I promised, here is the final gastric test I have had this year. It was called a Manometry (AKA esophogeal motility test). Once again I found myself subject to unknown torture. But, after waiting a month to talk to you about it, I believe my perception of the torture is more due to the medicinal fast than the actual procedure. Please be reminded that I only had one part of the test done. I do not think I could have handled the second part at all.
So, What happens with this test?
Let me break it down for you……
- Fast from foods and medication from midnight on. (no biggy, right?)
- Have a spray in your mouth, then swallow.
- Have gel put in your left nostril. Sniff. Swallow.
- Have gel put in your right nostril. Sniff. Swallow.
- Have long skinny tube threaded down your left nostril and then swallow repeatedly to get measuring technology down esophagus to stomach.
- Spend next twenty minutes swallowing saline solution (no talking allowed) in various positions.
- Count to 20 fast.
- Exhale hard as technology is removed from your nose.
- Deal with upset stomach, medication withdrawals and sore throat. Oh, and now be reminded because of GERD problems, you need to wait another 2 hours before eating or drinking anything because of anesthesia administered through nose. This is so that you don’t choke yourself or cause pneumonia from aspiration.
Actually, the worst part for me is the afterwards. I take my medications around 5 am and pm every day. So any time I need to fast for a 9 am appointment or later really throws my body off. Then you tell me I have to wait another 2-3 hours to eat or take my meds? That really puts me into a world of funk. These so called tests cause me to get out of sync on my medication by over 7 hours sometimes.
I asked the doctor why getting out of sync on meds has such a profound affect on me. He said it shouldn’t, but he would note it.
This time, I had a sore throat for about 3 days.
I did finally get a an explanation as to why I am having a few problems. I have aperistalsis of my esophagus in the middle. So, that explains why I have to eat sitting up, stay sitting up for three hours after eating, and swallowing large chunks of vitamins (or food) no longer works. I was informed that this is part of the condition of having Sjogren’s or Lupus or Schleroderma. I kindly asked the doctor not to add any further auto immune conditions if not needed. He laughed and said he meant Sjogren’s. Unfortunately, treatment is not needed at this stage unless the top muscle or bottom muscle cease to function.
Being a self-diagnoser, I looked up the treatment option. I did not like what I found. So, I will stick to liquid calcium, gummy vitamin C and chewing my food 20 times before swallowing.
What about the 2nd part of the test? Not unless I am desperate will I have it done. It would mean 5 days without my GERD medication, then a sensor stuck down my nose for 24 hours to measure the acidity in my stomach. Nope, not gonna happen. I am all for finding out about what is going on. I am not for being uncomfortable for a week to know my stomach has too much acid. I already know that answer. YES.
I want to take a minute and let you know that I really, really believe that God is allowing me to have these experiences. Already I have been able to help a couple of people to get help that they need by my walk with Him. I don’t have to like these experiences. My last nurse who processed this procedure with me stated that I had such a good attitude and positive outlook. I know it was God in me. Because I really did not want to do these tests. As long as He allows me to wake up each day, I will keep on walking.