03027 ESOPHAGEAL PH / IMPEDANCE PH MONITORING

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, Dexilant or Kapidex. If you are told to stop the medicine, you must stop 7 days before your test.
• If your doctor does not want you to take the above medications prior to your test, please stop these medications 2 days prior to your test: Pepcid, Famotidine, Ranitidine, Zantac, Tagamet.
• If your doctor does not want you to take the above medications, please stop these medications the day before your test: Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, Gaviscon.
• If you are a Diabetic, please consult your physician to adjust your regimen.
• 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.

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 the nurse any questions you 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) 243-3090.
• 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.