Health Update

It's been awhile but here's the latest on my health (mostly so I can keep track). I've been having a lot of problems sleeping because as soon as I crawl into bed at night, I start coughing. The ENT thinks it's my acid reflux.

On August 18th, I had a 24-Hour Esophageal pH Test. We arrived at Rex around 7am and by 8:15 we were on the way home. The nurse inserted a tube down my nose into my throat and the top of the stomach. The tube was taped to my face and behind my ear then attached to a recording device with a bunch of buttons. I had to push the buttons to record the corresponding symptoms as well as reclining and eating. It was very uncomfortable but not unbearable. At 8am the next morning we returned to the hospital and had the tube removed.

The results of that test showed that I do, indeed, have some reflux issues. At that point, the ENT referred me to a gastroenterologist. Since I really didn't like the last one I had, he sent me to a different office and a new doctor. This guy is great and I liked him immediately. As expected, he ordered another endoscopy.

The endoscopy was last Friday, September 18th. Instead of having it at the hospital, I had it at the endoscopy center in Cary. We were there early again and everything went well. They used a different sedative this time (Propofol), which meant I woke up a lot faster and a lot more coherent than my past experiences. I did suffer a bit of an issue with the nerve in my bottom lip/chin but the doctor says it should be temporary.

I won't have full results on the endoscopy for another week but his thinking at this point is that it may be the vicodin for my migraines causing stomach issues which are in turn causing the reflux and the coughing. I need to go see my primary doctor for a different migraine treatment.

Also, the gastroenterologist has scheduled another 24-hour pH test for October 8th. He wants to compare the results of the first, when I was off my reflux meds, with a second test in which I keep taking my meds. I'm not at all looking forward to it but if it helps with a diagnosis, I'll deal with it.