Advice for Bravo placement

Posted by cindyh6464 @cindyh6464, Apr 3 10:15am

Hey Peeps! I am having an upper endoscopy with a 48b hour BRAVO placement to measure the pH in my esophagus in 2 weeks. I have to be off my PPI for a week prior and Famotidine for 4 days prior. I am NOT looking forward to it!!! Has anyone who has done this have any advice? I am already doing everything I can with diet, and bed is propped up.

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 29 2:03pm

Hi, @cindyh6464 - wanted to find out if you've now had your upper endoscopy with the capsule attached to your lower esophageal wall measuring your esophageal pH, the BRAVO device? How did it go being off your proton pump inhibitor and then the famotidine?

cindyh6464 | @cindyh6464 | Apr 30 10:06am

It went really well. I was braced for a lot of trouble sleeping, but surprisingly had little trouble.
The test showed my problem is actually not GERD, so that makes sense!

sylvermoon8 | @sylvermoon8 | Aug 18 12:10pm

I am wondering what the experience of the Bravo test is, I am a bit nervous.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Aug 19 11:46pm

In reply to @sylvermoon8 "I am wondering what the experience of the Bravo test is, I am a bit nervous." + (show)

@sylvermoon8 - when are you scheduled for your Bravo? What makes you feel the most nervous going into it?

sylvermoon8 | @sylvermoon8 | Aug 20 9:26am

I have not been scheduled yet. I want to have an appt with the doctor, that I have just been referred to, before she does the procedure. I am concerned about the capsule/magnet getting stuck somewhere. Also it is for 96 hours and I wondered if I am going to feel this capsule stuck in my esophagus for all that time….I can stress out over something like this. I have intestinal issues as well as acid reflux. I just spent 10 months getting over a strange reaction to the RSV vaccine and I am just apprehensive of a new medical procedure.

sylvermoon8 | @sylvermoon8 | Aug 20 9:53am

In reply to @cindyh6464 "It went really well. I was braced for a lot of trouble sleeping, but surprisingly had..." + (show)

Hi Cindy, i was wondering if you could feel the capsule while eating etc? And could you tell when it detached?
I don’t anticipate sleeping issues, but more like eating issues….
If your problem is not Gerd what will they do to relieve your symptoms?

cindyh6464 | @cindyh6464 | Aug 20 5:40pm

When I swallowed, I could feel a spot that was a bit sore, but it did not bother me very much... by the next morning, it was fine. Since I couldn't tell it was there after the first day, I had no idea when it detached.

It wasn't GERD... it was the medications they were giving me to treat my non-existent GERD. UGH!!! When I went off the medications for the test, I felt better after a few days. Turns out I have a tender stomach lining. I have learned what causes it to flare up: alcohol, spicy food, and many medications. If I avoid them and do not wear a bra for very long, I feel great!

sylvermoon8 | @sylvermoon8 | Aug 20 8:22pm

In reply to @cindyh6464 "When I swallowed, I could feel a spot that was a bit sore, but it did..." + (show)

The doctor is wondering if I have GERD actually too. I have not been able to tolerate a lot of the medications and Famotidine that I am on now doesn't help. Three years ago they kept adding medications, I was on 3 and the pain was bad. They took me off them and all pain went away. But this burning came back this year. My only symptom is waking up with a burning throat that sometimes burns at the top of my stomach as well. Soon as I am up the pain goes away. I do have a small hernia. Funny you mentioned wearing a bra, that bothers me! Thanks for your information, I appreciate it.

cindyh6464 | @cindyh6464 | Aug 21 6:27am

Good luck to you. I hope they can get you a diagnosis and help you feel better!

pthilges | @pthilges | Aug 22 11:12am

I've had the bravo test done 3 times, most recently in July 2025. I survived on very small frequent snacks. These snacks consisted of crackers and milk, lots of milk. Milk seemed to be the only thing to somewhat help the acid while I was off my meds. Good luck, the rest of the test is a breeze!