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From: Sharon
Hey Sue- Honestly - don't freak out about the test! If it makes you feel any better, I have had a tube that is actually a little bit larger placed in my nostril and down into my vocal cords 14 times!! Granted, it only takes a few minutes, but I have actually had to speak and sing(I'm a singer) while having this apparatus up my nose and down my throat. The tube they use for the 24 ph is more slender, and of course goes down your esophagus so there is absolutely no sense of airway obstruction - you breathe, drink and eat normally.
One "tip" given me that helps: they tape the tube from your nose to your face and behind your ear to keep it from moving down into your stomach-naturally the movements from your esophagus wants to "eat" the tube, also....no biggie....you don't really feel any sensation...however, when you sit down to eat, after you have chewed your mouthful of food, LIGHTLY hold the tube where it comes out your nose as you swallow, thus keeping the tube from being tugged with the swallowing process. It keeps from rubbing the back of your nose too much that way so you don't get sore!
You have a slight disadvantage being in a hotel rather than your house, only that you should really get out there and move around to simulate a normal day....the good news is that nobody there will ever see you again, so find a park nearby and walk a few miles or even run into a shop or two---be the lady of mystery!!! Actually, most folks just politely look the other way, so you won't feel too freaky!
Remember that these tests are meant for the tiniest of children as well as the most fragile of elderly people, so they wouldn't devise something so tortuous that it would send a little old 100 year old grandma into cardiac arrest! I always think of that when I undergo frightening things---these tests have to accomodate the very weak and infirm, and I am a strong healthy woman-use lots of visualization to relax and remember that it will be over before you know it and you'll have the answers you need to take the healing path....write to the board afterwards and let us know how you fared! Good Luck!