Thank you for sharing this webinar. I continue to be confused as to the root cause of my mild bronchiectasis and subsequent MAC infection, with respiratory reflux being one of the most confusing elements.
Ten years ago, before I was diagnosed with BE/MAC, I saw an ENT for primarily throat symptoms following a respiratory infection. At that time she was a leader in identifying what was then called LPR (laryngo-pharangeal reflux) and did a 24 hour ph monitoring test, diagnosed me with laryngeal reflux and started me on PPI's. I was treated with them on and off for about 4 years. Since my diagnosis and trasferring my care to the pulmonary team at NYU, I consulted with the GI team at NYU to explore the reflux issue and they did an endoscopy and a BRAVO capsule study (a test that the ENT I had seen poo poos) which showed reflux to be not that significant.
This presenter from NJH is doing 22 hour ph study, not the BRAVO, and also presented a case study where the patient was treated with, a commonly used bladder medication, Bethanechol to tighten the esophageal sphincter to prevent (not mask) reflux, and her symptoms resolved. I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts about the varying tests for reflux, which is most definitive for purposes of respiratory reflux influence/causation of BE/MAC and also if anyone has experience using Bethanechol for this purpose.