Urgent advice please for coping with 24 oesophageal pH/manometry test

[jellycat]

My ds had a Naso gastric tube inserted for 24 hour oesophageal pH and manometry testing and he’s in a lot of pain with it and getting very agitated. I don’t know how I can help him. They have said he shouldn’t sip drinks continuously. Can he take any painkillers (eg I could get some soluble paracetamol/calpol)?

I am trying to encourage him to distract himself but it’s not really working. The notes they gave him say he can take the tube out if it’s really intolerable but we really don’t want to do that-he’s been waiting a long time for this and has been quite ill with GERD symptoms for some time so we’d really like to persist so he can maybe get some answers.

We can’t call the department for advice because their phone lines close at 4. I shall try NHS 111 but hope someone here might have some advice.

He’s only 19 😢

No real advice, but it’s good he’s getting the test so you can encourage him to keep going. I’ve got Gord as well and so I sympathise (I’ve had a regular gastroscopy) My son of similar age def has reflux issues, but as yet to be referred to gastro.

Difflam spray is good for discomfort at the back of the throat
Soluble pain relief like co codamol
Maybe ice lollies?

Thanks @Cattyisbatty and @destiel00 . I have just got off the phone from 111 who are going to call back. I asked if he could take painkillers eg soluble paracetamol. Will ask about Difflam too. I wondered about ice/ice lollies. The instructions specifically say not to sip drinks though, so I am wary of giving him ice. Have some ice cream we could try. I suspect any effect will only be temporary though so painkillers might be better if he is allowed. Google has not been especially helpful but will keep looking until they call back.

I had this in June and it wasn't pleasant! I found that I was salivating and swallowing a lot which made it worse and found it much easier if I took deep slow breaths through my nose.

Hope that helps!

I found the manometry swallow tests the worst part - when you have to not swallow for 30 seconds etc, it was so hard with the tube down your throat!

Thanks all. Spoke to NHS 111 doctor who OK-ed Difflam and soluble paracetamol and codeine. He’s tried the Difflam and is a bit more comfortable. So hopefully he can keep the tube in long enough to get some meaningful results.

The doctor was really good actually-wanted to check to see if his throat was torn/swollen (it wasn’t ) so he sent me a link to take photos for us to upload. Asked lots of questions. Very thorough.