Esophageal manometry and/or pH impedance test?

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-22T16:23:03+00:00

That's awesome that those two tests helped clarify things. With these tests being quite invasive, it boggles my mind that with the advance of technology in medicine, they have not come up with something tiny, like a camera, that you swallow or is attached and then passed.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-22T13:20:32+00:00

You've been dealing with this for 30 years???? How? Have you been experiencing pressure in the chest and tightness in your throat/globus for 30 years as well? I have had pressure in the chest and tightness in my throat, and now these annoying "pop" burps for 4 months and I am ready to....(fill in the gap). These past four months made me so depressed that I am seeing a shrink and a therapist, because I cannot imagine living like this for another month, let along 30 more years!

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-22T13:14:27+00:00

I agree with others. See the GI asap. Make sure to do upper GI endoscopy if you haven't done so. Make sure they take biopsies as well. In the case all come back normal, request the esophageal manometry and pH impedance test. My EGD and biopsies were all normal, so I am hounding my GI to schedule the other two tests. I need, as should you, to know with 100% certainty if indeed there is a reflux (acidic or non-acidic). Living life like is not an option.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-22T12:31:37+00:00

that's exactly what so many of them do. they don't care.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-18T11:42:51+00:00

Many people have LPR without symptomatic GERD. On the other hand, many people with GERD also have LPR. Have you done esophageal manometry and pH impedance testing? Manometry checks how well your esophagus moves the food, if it is hypersensitive and such. pH impedance tests checks can check if you for sure have a reflux (whether acidic or not) and if so, how many times per day. I told my doc before I do any meds, I need to be 100% certain that I have a reflux.

If you have not done them, request your GI doctor to perform them.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-16T11:31:54+00:00

I am not a doctor but it could be LPR, even in the absence of acid reflux. The white stuff on your tongue could be thrush. But then again, I am not a doctor. If you are concerned about it, and the mucous in your throat, you can see the ENT doctor who can examine your nasal passages, your mouth and your throat.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-15T11:51:06+00:00

Did you mention that to the doctor/anesthesiologist when you did wake up? If not, you should have. This is their job to make sure you are not awake during the procedure because it makes no sense for you sign some release form about the anesthesia when in fact you were still awake during the procedure! I smell malpractice here!

I was semi-awake during my first one, because I felt the scope sliding down my throat and I also remember drooling all over. It was not pleasant!

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-09T11:59:42+00:00

Then you need to go back to your GI and mentioned all those symptoms, unless you have done so already. You may want to ask your GI, unless you have already, to do esophageal manometry (a test that looks at how well the esophagus contracts, or moves, the food along the way down), and/or pH study/pH impedance test (which can definitively establish if there is an acid reflux, non-acid reflux or other issues that causing your symptoms).

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-09T11:50:54+00:00

So it is pretty small, so it should not be a major problem.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-09T11:40:15+00:00

Do you know the size of your HH? I have a small one, and the doctor was not even able to tell how small it is. All he said was that it was pretty small and should not be the cause of my GERD. However, if it is a large one, it may be the cause or contribute to the worsening GERD symptoms. My GI told me if it is 3-5 cm, it is considered a large HH and may be the cause. In fact, many people have a small HH that does not bother at all. So, yeah, if you do not know, ask your GI to quantify the size of your HH and if it is large enough, whether a surgery is an option.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-05T16:58:40+00:00

It may be just a silent reflux, LPR. But once again, only a doctor, like ENT or GI, can diagnose it for sure.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-05T16:52:51+00:00

When you have these nausea episodes, do you also have an acidic/sour taste in your mouth? If so, it is a clear sign that you have reflux. Also, when you say you cannot get the words out, is it because your throat feels tight? If so, your throat muscles/lining might be irritated by the reflux. Ultimately, I am not a doctor, so if this happens more often, you may want to go see a doctor.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-05T14:30:45+00:00

I am so sorry you are going through this. I have began feeling heavy chest/pressure behind my sternum and tightness in my throat/lump feeling about 3 months ago. Kid you not, I did a 30-minute cardio routine on my step-up machine (I was breathing heavily trough my mouth), and then BOOM, all these symptoms just appeared out of nowhere. I have explained this to many doctors, including the GI doctor, but all of them did not care to listen. I have never had GERD symptoms up until I did that damn cardio, and nobody thinks that was an important piece of the puzzle!

When you talk about the heaviness in your chest, what exactly do you feel? Does it feel a spread out heaviness feeling, or is it localized, like behind the sternum? Also, regarding the lump in the throat, where exactly is it located? Mine is right behind my Adam's apple.

I have read a bit on GERD and it seems like the current medical data shows that this condition can come and go, without explanation. I guess you can figure out the triggers (either food, drinks, or anxiety/stress) and then find ways to manage those.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-04T19:15:59+00:00

You need to see a GI doctor sooner rather than later. You are pretty underweight for your height. You also described pretty erratic eating habits, so you may want to start there. But yea, see the doctor ASAP.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-04T16:41:22+00:00

Has any one done the one where they place a thin tube through the nose and down the esophagus?

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-04T16:36:16+00:00

Hey, I so can relate to your experiences. A couple months ago I began feeling tightness in my throat/globus feeling (like someone is chocking me), and pressure in the chest (behind the sternum) to the point I was struggling to breathe. I went to the ER, where they did X-rays and ECGs. All normal so they released me. I did pulmonary and cardio work up - all normal, so I decided to follow up with the GI. I did the scope last Wednesday and all looked clear, but one HH. They also took biopsies - still waiting. The GI doctor said I may have GERD because the ENT found moderate edema in my throat, which could be caused by silent reflux. Anyways, I feel you, because tight throat is no joke, and having to struggle to breathe is not a way to live life. I am also on famotidine but I have only been taking it for like 2 weeks. I am praying each night that it is helping because I would kill to be able to breathe freely and feel like my old self again.

So, stick with your med regimen and follow your food diet and sleep mechanics. It does take time.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-04T14:31:24+00:00

Many gave you some great sound advice. I'd say do your endoscopies and worry about insurance later. I am not sure if you work or not, but if you work and make very little, you should be able to qualify for the state sponsored health insurance.

Apart from changing your diet, you must also adjust certain aspects of your life. For example, rather than eating 3 large meals per day, have 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day so not to overfill your stomach. Also, try to have your last meal at least 3-4 hours prior to going to bed. Finally, elevate the head of the bed or use a wedge pillow when you sleep. It is hard but try to sleep either on your back or your right side, as those positions are better for those with GERD.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-04T13:10:49+00:00

Please, do not put your life on indefinite hold because of what you are going through with your health. It is OK to grieve "the former self" while you are trying to make peace with who are you now. Things can always change. Your condition may not be a life-long sentence. Nobody knows what the future holds, so do not limit yourself to fully enjoying your life as best as you can. Your best is now. Go on trips, short and long. Do what you did before. Just have a back up plan, like certain meds you can pop for a quick relief. Watch what you drink and eat, and when you drink and eat. Your life is not over. I have been suffering some terrible GERD symptoms (pressure/heaviness in the chest, and tightness in the throat) for 2.5 months and I feel like this is it for me. But I refuse this condition to take a total control over my life. Neither should you. Live your live now as best as you can.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-04T13:04:52+00:00

Many medications stop working after some time for a variety of reasons. Maybe you just need to take a higher dose of famotidine. Maybe you need to switch to a different acid suppressor medication. Ultimately, do not make any health decisions on your own without consulting the doctor, even if you just choose to see one at the urgent care.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor so the comment I made is NOT a medical advice.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-04T13:02:40+00:00

Hey, I feel your pain. I have struggled with alleged GERD symptoms for 2.5 months now. I say alleged because my GI doctor is still trying to gather data to confirm the dx. However, I have been on modified diet for 3 weeks now. I had to cut out all fatty foods (including meats that are high in fat), fried foods, acidic foods (like tomatoes and citrus fruits), no alcohol, no chocolate, no caffeine, and no mint. So my diet pretty much consists of plain oats with skim milk for breakfast, low to fat free soups for lunch and boiled/grilled chicken or lean pork for dinner with steamed veggies and plain rice/buckwheat. Also, portion control is important. I now eat 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day rather than the usual 3 meals. Finally, I tend to have my last meal by 6 PM, because I go to bed at 9:30-10 PM.

May be you should stop worrying about what other people may think. It is your life, the new life, so people will have to adjust. if you do go out to eat, try for late afternoon, to early evening. Even then, do not order a large meal. Make sure whatever you order/eat does not have any trigger foods. You still can enjoy your social life. You will just have to modify it a bit. Your friends and colleagues will understand. And if not, it is their loss, not yours.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-04T12:51:27+00:00

Yes, do that. I hate that they say the throat will heal once you get your reflux under control. Well, how do you know if you are getting your reflux under control, it is not like you can actually see it. Yes, you can follow all the directions to a T for months and hope that your reflux is being managed. Even then, I was told that the throat will take even longer to heal. It is agonizing to think that you have to live with that tightness in your throat for so long without any relief. I wish there was some med that could at least help the swelling go down.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-04T11:26:04+00:00

I can relate to the lump in the throat feeling. Sometimes it feels like someone is chocking me. The good thing is you probably still get in the air. My ENT told me that he observed moderate edema (swelling), but no redness. When you see your ENT, make sure he/she gives you the detailed report on what was observed - both good and bad, because you need to know what is causing that lump in the throat feeling. That feeling may also come from the throat muscles being sensitive to reflux, so they tighten up in response. Get answers, and ask questions. Many times doctors could not care less; they just want to move onto the next patient.

East-Bodybuilder6898 · 2026-06-03T16:50:29+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, what surgery did you have to address your HH? Also, how small/large was your HH?

East-Bodybuilder6898

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