Hiatus Hernia - Help

[Greedyfly]

This is long, please forgive me.

For about a year I was treated for what we thought was an ulcer. Symptoms never improved so I had a Gastroscopy which proved I had a Hiatus Hernia, the doctor who did the test advised surgery to be the best course of action if medication wasn't helping.

My GP changed my meds and for around a year has been struggling to get my symptoms under control, I'm currently taking 120mgs Omeprazole and 40mgs Rinitidine. My GP refered me to see a Gastro and I saw her about 3 months ago. She advised that surgery would likely never happen and referred me to have a PH Manometry test. I went for test and was advised by the nurse that due to my high dosage of Omeprazole that the test would likely be waste of time regardless of stopping the meds 7 days before as instructed.

Recently I have developed an increase in symptoms and a dry thickly very irritating cough. Went back to GP who prescribed anti-biotics despite saying I had lovely clear breath sounds. My results have come back from the PH test and they were negative (low acid) as expected. My GP is at her wits end trying to treat me and us very sympathetic of the problems I'm having. I am currently awaiting another appointment with the Gastro.

Current symptoms:

Cough, mostly on an evening
Constant throat clearing
Chest pain (sometimes so severe I consider A&E)
Shortness of breath
Heart palpitations
Stomach pain after eating
Sore throat (from continuous cough and clearing)
Hoarse voice which feels and sounds wrecked as time as gone by
I feel that my stomach and chest is often acidic despite my lack of avid production

I cannot convey just how bad my symptoms are recently and they are driving me insane, the clearing and coughing alone is so frustrating. It affects my work (speaking to colleagues, using the phone etc) and I worry my voice will be ruined forever if it continues. I'm really struggling at the moment and don't know what to do. The Gastro seems unwilling to help, seems to want to keep referring me elsewhere - ENT, IBS nurses etc which I will attend but I feel that every symptom I have is related to my hernia.

Can anyone suggest alternatives fir when I get my appointment to suggest we investigate or look into? I feel two years of misery with this is just too long and I can't cope with it much longer. Id rather go in and be able to suggest what else it could be (regardless of whether the Gastro likes it). Surely if I have tried every drug and are now in the highest does and still having symptoms then there either had to be another diagnosis or surgery is the answer??

I loom forward to your answers and again apologise for the length.

[Greedyfly]

Thanks guys. It's just such a slow process. It's been nearly two years and from referral to appointment you can wait up to three months. Feels like it's never ending - wish I had the money to go private elsewhere.

[mazie]

I wish you did Greedy. Good luck and please keep us posted xxx

[Greedyfly]

Thanks Mazie. I just keep my fingers crossed that the general surgeon does see me and has the solution.