patient education : 03027--ESOPHAGEAL PH / IMPEDANCE PH MONITORING
Instructions for preparation before a test to measure how much stomach acid and non-acid backs up into the esophagus from Digestive Health Center.
Handout File:
PE03027Esophageal PHImpedancePHMonitoring.pdf — PDF document, 35 KB (36633 bytes)-
document content:
Esophageal PH / Impedance PH Monitoring
Read these instructions at least a week before you come for your procedure
WHY DO I NEED THIS TEST?
This test will help measure how much stomach acid and non-acid backs up into your swallowing tube (esophagus). You may need this test if you have:
- Heartburn and/or chest pain
- Hoarseness, coughing or breathing problems
- Difficulty with swallowing
How should I get ready for this test?
- Do not eat for 4 hours before you have the test. You may have sips of water.
- You must check with your doctor if you should stop your Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, Protonix, Nexium, Zegarid or Kapidex. If you are told to stop the medicine, you must stop 5 days before your test.
- You may take these medications up to midnight the day before your test: Antacids (Maalox, Tums, Rolaids), Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid, Axid
- Arrive at 500 Monroe Lane UVA Endoscopy 15 minutes before your appointment.
- Please limit the number of people you bring with you to our waiting room.
- Bring a list of current medications and medication allergies with you.
- You may take your morning medications (other than those mentioned above) as usual.
Registration
- When you arrive enter our waiting room and check-in at the reception desk.
- After registration, you will be called to the procedure area.
How do I take this test?
- A nurse will explain the test to you. Ask them any questions you might have.
- This is an overnight study. You will be allowed to go home.
- We may numb your nose and throat to pass a small tube through your nose and into your esophagus. This allows us to measure how much acid comes up into your esophagus.
- You will be asked to eat and resume normal activities while the tube is in.
- You will need to return the following day at the assigned time to have the tube and monitor removed.
What happens after the exam?
- You may restart all medications once the tube is removed.
- Your nose and throat may feel scratchy for a short while.
- Before you leave, you will be given discharge instructions. Please contact the physician who ordered your procedure to obtain test results as it relates to your plan of care.
- After you leave, if you have any concerns related to your test please call the hospital operator (434) 924-0000 and ask for the GI doctor on-call. You may also go to your local emergency room.
- If you have questions about the test please call (434) 297-5665.
- If you need to cancel or reschedule your test, please call (434) 924-9999.
- If you are out of the area, you may use 1-800-251-3627 and ask the operator to connect you to any of the above numbers.