Esophageal motility test and endoscopy info needed.

  I am scheduled for a upper endoscopy and esophageal motility tests.
  My GI doctor wants to make sure that it is my reflux causing me all
  my GI problems and not a motility problem.  If I do have a motility
  problem what are my options then?  Is surgery still a option?  I
  have tried several meds without relief and my heartburn is killing
  me daily.  What kind of questions do I need to ask my GI doctor after
  these two tests?  My endoscopy is not until 30 November and the
  motility test on 01 December.  Thank you for any info and advice.
  This is a great forum and service.
_____
Dear Maria:
You mentioned that you have severe heartburn not responding to medications and that you are scheduled for upper endoscopy and motility study.  The upper endoscopy will allow the gastroenterologist to visualize the lining of the esophagus, stomach and the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The test allows the endoscopist to determine if the acid reflux has damaged the lining of the esophagus and to assess for other conditions that can mimic esophageal reflux e.g. Barret's esopahgus.

The motility study has two purposes.  If you have severe reflux, the motilty study will determine if you will have problems swallowing after surgery.  Some patients have abnormal esophageal peristalsis and can not transfer swallowed material into the stomach after reflux surgery.  It is valuable to identify these people before considering an operation.  The second reason to do the motility is to exclude a motor problem e.g. esophageal spasm as the cause of the chest discomfort.   A 24-hour pH monitoring can be done with the motility study to quantitate the extent of acid reflux..
You also have to remember that chest symptoms can also be caused by diseases of heart, mediastinum, lungs, or muscular skeletal system.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Always ask specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-jg
*keywords: esophageal reflux
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