Looking for advice
Hello, I'm looking for some information about my small slider. I've not received much info and I'm panicking.
endoscopist (is that the word?) said i had a small sliding hiatal hernia about 4 months ago, that it was super common with people that are hypermobile like me and that i should try and lose a bit more weight. Nurse during debrief gave me a fairly limited form and told me to never drink alcohol again. This is the extent of what I was told.
I've exercised like a lunatic (5ks most days, strength training, 5x5 on a bench or Pendlay row) and lost a tremendous amount of weight (102kg -> 87kg) and I'm still going down. I've tried to reduce my drinking (despite never having heartburn before) but have started drinking coffee in the mornings more (3 cups a day).
I was never symptomatic, I'm pretty sure it was an incidental finding (I had some chest discomfort but after googling I'm pretty sure it doesn't line up with hernia symptoms).
Last month or so I've noticed increased nausea, and the occasional discomfort after a night of drinking (we're talking noticable but not bothersome, maybe a 1/10) and some desires to burp but often not being able to.
I'm now panicking because:
- I don't know much about what I've got/have not received a real discussion from my GP
- I don't know if my current exercise regime is likely exacerbating it/enlarging it. The internet seems to say either "don't lift again" or "lift but no crazy grinders" or "lift but don't do valsavars or situps". I desperately want to keep improving my fitness but it sounds like it might cause me more issues than its worth.
- I don't know if alcohol is making this worse (I know what the nurse said, but my own research of NICE guidelines don't line up with what she said)
- I don't know what my current outlook over my life looks like
- I don't understand how I could have been so much less healthy and not felt anything, and after following the limited advice I got be feeling worse
- I can't distinguish if these symptoms are "standard reflux even without a hernia", e.g. slight nausea when you drink 3 coffees on an empty stomach and run, or "indicates worsening over time", or "you're so anxious you're feeling sick and swallowing air"
Would love to talk to someone about it. I struggle with uncertainty and I've been trying to get in contact with my GP to talk to me about it. So far I asked during another appointment and was told he didn't have time to talk to me and I've tried calling to book another but their phone line seems to be dead at the moment.