Tummy Troubles

  I have recently been diagnosed with small sliding hiatis hernia
  and gerd. (note of interest-this was after I had a bout of
  bronchitis and was on antibiotics) I have feel the urge to clear
  my throat constantly, and the chest pain too. Now however I am
  also getting severe gas and pains under the bottom of my left
  rib, and I am constantly hungry. Because I have the gerd I have to
  watch what I eat but the hunger pains (below my belly button)
  make me want to eat all the time.  Can this gas and hunger pains
  be associated with the gerd or should I see my doctor again. I feel
  like I'm falling apart?! Note-i am an active 32 yr old mother of
  2.
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Dear Tammy,
It is necessary to know what tests were done to diagnose your hiatus hernia and GERD.  If the test was an upper GI x-ray, then it is possible that inflammation of the gastric or duodenal mucosa (either ulcers or superficial inflammation) was missed.  Some antibiotics can irritate the esophagus producing esophagitis, but this problem should resolve with cessation of the antibiotics and conservative treatment (anatacids, over the counter H2 receptor antagonists).
Your current symptoms are not typical for esophagitis (the result of GERD which is shorthand for GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease).  Patients with GERD will complain of burning in the