Hiatus hernia,GERD and gastritis

[Painperson252]

Is anyone else suffering the same symptoms as me? What do you do about it?  Im very concerned as Im in a lot of pain,it keeps flaring up too.  I have pain soon after I eat in a morning.  It starts like a pulling in my oesophaghus.  It feels like something is stuck there.  It hurts a lot and I can't swallow without it hurting.  It feels like a pressure there and it also feels inflamed and bloats all the way up from my stomach.  Im fed up of the pain and sometimes I get reflux of acid or foods too.  I don't know what pain is the GERD and what is the gastritis.  Some days it calms down then it comes back the next day.  I have suffered stomach problems for over two years,recently the pain has been getting a lot worse on these flare ups.  Ive not had a week free of symptoms.  I take Pantoprazole only one a day but have took two.  I also take Gaviscon but I just do not get any relief.  I wish it would just go.  I am waiting for the results of a ph monitoring test and may be getting the Nissen fundoplication op.  What Im worried about is not getting the op,what then? Or if I do get the op will it work and hoping it wouldn't go wrong.  Im so fed up of suffering and not eating what I want.  Has anyone been through this?  I want to know if it will get better.  If someone has got over the same thing let me know.  I need hope that I can get through this.  Thanks

[Swindonian]

Hi, pretty well everything you wrote rings a bell, I have been on Pantoprazole sold under Protium Brand in the UK for 12 years despite the fact that most leaflets state 8 weeks max and not tested for long term use, I also use lots of Gaviscon. I do have a confirmed Hiatal Hernia which produces acid reflux sometimes during the daytime and almost always if I nap during the day whilst sitting up. I do not have this problem at night like most people because I have sleep apnea and wear a cpap mask all night, the forced air not only keeps my throat open but also appears to prevent reflux for which I am grateful because the situation would be impossible with a mask on. I have Valium prescribed for muscle twitching but find that they are fine for relaxing me after an episode.

I cannot say that you will get through this (meaning a cure) but you certainly learn to live with it - I have had most of what you report for the last 12 plus years. Pantroprazole is convenient and easy to tolerate and at first not only stopped the reflux but also heartburn but that was relatively short lived, I should ask my GP to put me on another drug. Prior to Pantoprazole I was on Tagamet which worked well but because it interacted badly with so many other drugs (like sleeping pills) I had to come off it. I will keep you informed and if you get any relief please let me know.

[Londres70]

Sounds like GERD and a possible Hiatal Hernia.  I have what I call "bouts."  I can go for a period of time without symptoms and then I will have symptoms for a couple of weeks to a month.  Yes, annoying.  Usually, I have bouts if I haven't been avoiding certain foods.  I also have a Hiatal Hernia.  

There is no need for surgery in my case at this time.  

Have you had an Upper Endoscopy done to rule out Gastritis or Esophagitis?  

Wait and see what the results are; I wouldn't obsess about "what ifs" at this time.  Meanwhile, I would recommend notifying your physician about your increasing pain, etc. and that you are not able to get any real relief.  Did the two tablets (Pantoprazole) help at all?  

Are you watching your diet closely?  Carrying any extra weight?