AboutJohn Thai, MD Expertise Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary diseases, Infectious Diseases - including Viral Hepatitis A/B/C/D/E/G, liver transplant, surgical procedures including biopsies, pancreatic diseases, bariatric surgery, endoscopy (EGD, colonoscopy, etc), and Nutrition
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Question I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and reflux over 10 years ago. NEVER feel anything. Suddenly 6 months ago, I began have severe reflux that began with an IBS attack and EXTREME stress. Had an endoscopy and they found hiatal hernia and mild distal esophagitis. I have been on 2 doses per day of aciphex, then nexium with no results. I am eating only bland food. The reflux is better lying down than sitting up. I have gotten hoarse one day. This happened to me (getting hoarse) when I was also under extreme stress but it subsided a month or so after I calmed down. I have had an u/s of upper right quadrant. I am 41 an in good health otherwise. Any ideas what I can do or why meds aren't working and I am suddenly after all of these years feeling it?
Answer Hi Jill,
Stress and anxiety are the major problems that need to be addressed. The rule of thumb is that the brain and the gut are interconnected. Any stress and/or anxiety will cause unwanted symptoms, including IBS and reflux. Once the problem is resolved, the unwanted symptoms will substantially subside overtime.
As far as your medications, I cannot comment on this as I am not your treating physician. Only your physician may be able to fully evaluate the causality.
