Hello,

Your doctor has been testing you for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease commonly known as GERD. It is usually caused by a floppy or lazy esophageal sphincter and is VERY common. The lazy sphincter allows stomach acid and contents to wash back up into your esophagus which causes heartburn and could lead to damage to the esophageal lining.

Millions of people have this and that is why you can now buy stomach acid reducers that used to be prescription only, over-the-counter. Prilosec is one of those. Taking the Prilosec with slow down the production of acid in your stomach which will in turn help with any pain you may have been experiencing in your upper stomach and esophagus. If there has been any damage done to your esophagus taking the Prilosec will allow it to begin to heal.

The gastric emptying study is a type of x-ray of your stomach that will be taken at certain intervals after you eat a meal mixed with a special dye. This will help your doctor see how well your stomach is emptying what you have eaten into your small intestine. It may take a few hours but it is not invasive and you don't have to be sedated for it.

For more information on GERD, here is a great website: About GERD

There are a couple of things you can be doing right now to help with the GERD. One is to be sure and not lay down for at least 3 hours after eating or drinking. This will allow your stomach time to empty. The other thing to do is to sleep with the head of your bed elevated. The best way to do this is to put 4" tall blocks under each foot or post at the head of your bed. As an alternative you can buy a special wedge pillow but it is not as good as elevating the entire bed.

Please let me know if I can help you further!