Bravo PH with EGD

My name is Kris, and I live in beatiful state of FLORIDA. Here is my disease history, and question about test: Bravo PH with EGD.

After suffering from dry cough and scratchy throat with sharp burning sensation several times during day and more during nights since June-2010 for about 6-months, and failed to go away after treating with cough medications, prednisone (steroid to reduce swelling), nasal-sprays (for allergies), and antibiotics--- my doctor recommend me to ENT specialist who, after examining me with Laryngoscope, said my throat was quite red (from acid corrosion) and diagnosed me with LARYNGOPHARYNGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (LPR). This was in Jan-2011. Since then I had been on low-acid foods diet, and taking PPIs, Omerprazole-20mg for about 9-months, 40-mg for about 2-months, and finally Dexilan-60mg for about 30-days. Dexilan seems to help—but its high dose, and not recommended for long term. I had not had very good results with Omerprazole even though my recent Laryngoscope had shown that the redness in my throat was gone (before taking Dexilan)! Recently my ENT specialist recommended me to a surgeon for evaluation and performance of procedure (one of) either: TIF (transoral incisionless fundoplication) or Nissen surgery. However, before deciding which one is right for me—my surgeon recommended me to a GI for (invasive) test called: Bravo PH with EGD.

I am very skeptical when it comes to procedures or surgery, and would like to know if any of the readers had gone thru this “Bravo PH with EGD”, and if so what’s your experience in terms of how it is, safety of it or whatever pluses/minuses, and what are the implications from downside, and other side effects.

I appreciate anyone helping me with the above?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Kris

PS: I posted earlier, forgot to enter the subject-- so, please ignore that post, and respond to this one.

The EGD is a scope that goes down the throat into the stomach and the doctor can look at the throat and stomach for problems. It is effective to see problems such as ulcers and can sometimes show reflux. Many people with reflux can look normal with an EGD. I have had 6 EDGs and did not find them a problem or difficult but there are occasional complications.

The bravo pH places a pH sensor with a radio transmitter in the esophagus. The pH sensor transmites the pH to a receiver that constantly records the esophagus' pH. The data is then used to determine the DeMeester score that rates the reflux. I did not have the bravo but I did have the pH test with the wire and pH sensors down the throat before and after my TIF.

These tests are important for doctors to diagnose and to get insurance companies to pay for treatments.

Regards,
Sheldon