Bravo Test

[Tommy5858]

I`m having a test to measure the reflux in my esophagus. They will insert a small capsule to the wall of my esophagus and see how much backflow there is. Has anyone out there had this test? The only thing that scares me is that I will have to be off my protonix for a week. I think that is the only thing that is keeping the reflux somewhat under control.

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I have Barret's Esophagus due to longstanding GERD and had the Nissen Fundo Surgery in Feb of 2012.  Prior to having the Surgery I had extensive tests and although I did not have the Bravo, I had 24hr PH study with one Specialist and that came back as ALL GOOD and a month later I had 24hr Impedance study with PH testing and the test came back as ABNORMAL and lead to me having surgery.

In my opinion:  the Bravo test and the 24hr PH study are basically the same the one difference being that with the Bravo capsule you don't have this horrible pipe hanging out of your nose for 24hrs.

But through my experience I really don't think the Bravo or normal 24hr PH study is accurate enough to diagnose severe reflux disease.

If you can not get out of the Bravo-test - and especially if the test came back NEGATIVE for GERD, then please get yourself to a Gastro Ent that does Impedance study.

One more test that you need to also get done:  Manomatry study.  This measures the pressure of the LES and UES and motility.

All the best and let us know if you need more info or support and please keep us updated.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

I know we have a few members that have had this testing,...I have not so I can not speak from experience...use the search this community feature at the top of the forum to review older threads on this topic.