1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

GERD testing

Posted by rmoore901 @rmoore901, Mar 21 6:46pm

I am currently under treatment with my ID Dr, refered to by my pulmonologist. I started the big 3 in October and recently added Cresemba due to a finding of aspergillosis. I have had GERD issues previously but am not on any medication to treat it at this point. I know testing for this could be indicated when a comprehensive visit is done at MAYO or NJH, but what type of things should I discuss with my gastroenterologist? I know each situation is different so just wondering what to expect. I thought I had read PPI’s are contraindicated during the antibiotic treatment so curious about this as well.

Also, is treatment at one of the centers for excellence usually done at the onset or is it still beneficial if treatment has already commenced.

Thank you for the support and feedback.

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bsi15 | @bsi15 | Mar 22 2:01am

I remember, the first/main thing they tested me for GERD
was an esophagus manometry , tube through nose and then swallowing,
they measure the pressure.
But that was in 1999, I remember they used a C64 computer.
Later they did endoscopy. Nowadays endoskopy is probably
easier with smaller and better cameras

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becleartoday | @becleartoday | Mar 22 7:17am

In addition to manometry, the gold standard is the 24 hour pH impedance test or Bravo test. Dr. Jeffrey King, head of gastroenterology at National Jewish Health, discussed these tests in the NTM and bronchiectasis patient conference last April.

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1 reply
rmoore901 | @rmoore901 | Mar 23 10:03am
In reply to @becleartoday "In addition to manometry, the gold standard is the 24 hour pH impedance test or Bravo..." + (show)
@becleartoday

In addition to manometry, the gold standard is the 24 hour pH impedance test or Bravo test. Dr. Jeffrey King, head of gastroenterology at National Jewish Health, discussed these tests in the NTM and bronchiectasis patient conference last April.

Jump to this post

Thank you. Looks like the Bravo testing is done as part of an endoscopy. I want to get to the bottom of all of this but may wait for the results from the bronch and go from there.

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bayarea58 | @bayarea58 | Mar 23 1:21pm

I had a GERD workup after my MAI diagnosis. I had the following three tests in this order:
1) Barium Swallow
2) Endoscopy
3) 24 hour PH test. I was suppose to also have an esophageal manometry as part of this test but my nasal cavity was too small for the probe, I am now going back and forth with my doctor on getting the manometry done with a pediatric scope which he thinks is unnecessary for reasons that would have likewise made the test with the adult probe unnecessary (the one he ordered) so its hard to follow his reasoning.

I will say the GI doctor was totally disinterested in doing any testing for GERD and it was my pulmonary rehab program that really pushed me to get the testing done. I am glad they did.

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2 replies
rmoore901 | @rmoore901 | Mar 23 1:58pm
In reply to @bayarea58 "I had a GERD workup after my MAI diagnosis. I had the following three tests in..." + (show)
@bayarea58

I had a GERD workup after my MAI diagnosis. I had the following three tests in this order:
1) Barium Swallow
2) Endoscopy
3) 24 hour PH test. I was suppose to also have an esophageal manometry as part of this test but my nasal cavity was too small for the probe, I am now going back and forth with my doctor on getting the manometry done with a pediatric scope which he thinks is unnecessary for reasons that would have likewise made the test with the adult probe unnecessary (the one he ordered) so its hard to follow his reasoning.

I will say the GI doctor was totally disinterested in doing any testing for GERD and it was my pulmonary rehab program that really pushed me to get the testing done. I am glad they did.

Jump to this post

Thank you for the good info. I’m glad you were able to get that done - it shows the need to advocate for ourselves and have providers understand the full picture and underlying causes.

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Mar 23 3:44pm
In reply to @bayarea58 "I had a GERD workup after my MAI diagnosis. I had the following three tests in..." + (show)
@bayarea58

I had a GERD workup after my MAI diagnosis. I had the following three tests in this order:
1) Barium Swallow
2) Endoscopy
3) 24 hour PH test. I was suppose to also have an esophageal manometry as part of this test but my nasal cavity was too small for the probe, I am now going back and forth with my doctor on getting the manometry done with a pediatric scope which he thinks is unnecessary for reasons that would have likewise made the test with the adult probe unnecessary (the one he ordered) so its hard to follow his reasoning.

I will say the GI doctor was totally disinterested in doing any testing for GERD and it was my pulmonary rehab program that really pushed me to get the testing done. I am glad they did.

Jump to this post

I had all that done while at NJH. Are you still heading to NJH, they do all that.
It truly sounds from all you have learned and posted on the site you are so far ahead of a great many people who go there, NJH, in terms of what you already know before going to NJH.
They will do other tests, as you probably already know, to rule out other possibilities. I take it they sent you the information sheets about the various tests that you may or may not have at NJH?
I wanted the 24 hour PH test done here locally, OKC, and was told I didn't need it after being told by the GI doctor I possibly had an acid reflux problem due the testing done by the GI doctor. Glad NJH did the test and tests. They found I have a small hiatal hernia.
Barbara

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1 reply
bayarea58 | @bayarea58 | Mar 23 6:17pm
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "I had all that done while at NJH. Are you still heading to NJH, they do..." + (show)
@blm1007blm1007

I had all that done while at NJH. Are you still heading to NJH, they do all that.
It truly sounds from all you have learned and posted on the site you are so far ahead of a great many people who go there, NJH, in terms of what you already know before going to NJH.
They will do other tests, as you probably already know, to rule out other possibilities. I take it they sent you the information sheets about the various tests that you may or may not have at NJH?
I wanted the 24 hour PH test done here locally, OKC, and was told I didn't need it after being told by the GI doctor I possibly had an acid reflux problem due the testing done by the GI doctor. Glad NJH did the test and tests. They found I have a small hiatal hernia.
Barbara

Jump to this post

@blm1007blm1007 Yes, I go to NJH in a couple months. I am looking forward to it. Yes, I have done a great deal of testing and I don't expect too much of it to be repeated, but we will see. I have definitely used the last several months to push my local doctors for the necessary work up and educate myself on the disease and treatment options. Much thanks to this group for so many educational resources. Of course, I have a ton of questions for NJH.

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