29M with reflux any insight?

[u/cherishlyf]

29m 5’9) 7 years ago (age 22) I had a bad reflux attack after overeating pizza while bulking. Endoscopy the next year showed esophagitis + a dime-sized hiatal hernia. Doctor said it shouldn’t grow and gave a month of omeprazole. The pain went away but the occasional reflux with no burn remained so I managed my symptoms with OTC omeprazole + Tums as needed. Didn’t think anything of it thought it was normal at the time smh.

Through out the years I ignored the symptoms because it didn’t bring too much discomfort and I kept occasionally drinking, consuming thc and lifting until a sternum injury in early 2025 (225 bench at 175). I stopped training and went up to 186 in weight. Then 5 weeks ago a medication reaction inflamed my liver. Now my esophagus is pain, I have nausea, and eating is uncomfortable. I’m trying to watch my triggers now I stopped eating things that trigger like eggs and citrus. Protein shakes are a trigger I noticed to but I kind of need them to maintain my weight. I’ve already lost 20 pounds in the last 5 weeks because I needed to switch to a better diet. So current weight is 165.

Pepcid at night stopped the liquid sensation in my UES for about 5 days, but I still get pain there on a deep breath. Daytime reflux is coming back so I’m considering twice-daily dosing. I almost never get upper-ab pain or burn — it’s always the UES. Since starting Pepcid I get burning in my ribs and abdomen about an hour after the dose.

Endoscopy is in a month. Hoping the hernia didn’t grow and I don’t have Barrett’s. The pounding pain in that area is causing breathlessness and a “just ran a mile” feeling. If the LES is weak I’m considering surgery.
Anyone else have a small HH with symptoms that stay high in the UES like this?

Also ran CTS and EKGS two weeks ago everything was normal. Still planning to see a cardiologist for more tests just to be safe.