Advice for a young person with hiatus hernia?

Hey Guys,

I developed chronic fatigue syndrome in 2018 following glandular fever when I was 19 years old. At the time my doctor thought a lot of my symptoms were synonymous with GERD and prescribed me a course of Zantac despite the fact I said I had no GERD symptoms. The Zantac actually resulted in mild relief.

I soon realised I actually had been having the symptoms of GERD (SOB, Trouble swallowing, pain and fullness in chest, hiccups) but I had wrongly assumed GERD was only regurgitation. Since then I had a few issues like blood in the stools and continuing nausea etc. I had a colonoscopy/gastroscopy given a family history of chrons and a hiatus hernia was found incidentally (small).

I am now 21 and over the past 2 years I have had worsening reflux to the point I am now almost constantly feeling it. After doing some research into hernias and reflux I now understand if managed incorrectly they can worsen and result in Barretts oesophagus etc. Additionally I understand I am very young to have a hiatus hernia which worries me also.

I am writing this post to either hear about success stories or warnings from previous failures. I want to lead a normal life and not have long term health issues but I don't know how best to do this. I currently have made no lifestyle changes and manage with 3x yearly Nexium course and Gaviscon.

I am looking forward to hearing from you and also hearing if anybody has had a similar situation (young, symptomatic diagnosis etc). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Quick Bio (21 y/o university student, fit and active, fluctuating diet, no deficiencies, no sinister pathologies)

Cheers, Ryan

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