7 Years Post-Nissen; Inconclusive Problems

Hey all,
I had a Laproscopic Nissen Fundoplication back in 2005 and, for the last two years, I've been having consistent and intense pain. It oscillates between gas-pressure/esophageal pain, occasionally radiating out toward my ribs and soforth.

So far, barium swallow tests and endoscopies have suggested the Nissen has held up very well.
They did tissue/blood tests, which came up with nothing.
A digestion test showed there's no signs of "dumping" or abnormal digestion.
The endoscopy didn't show anything too irregular, either.
I even tried specialized (gluten free/dairy free/soy free) diets to see if anything was aggravating me, and those didn't offer any help, either.

I'm very active and fit at 28. So far I've been on a muscle relaxer, 4 or 5 different varieties of PPI's, an antibiotic, and a couple steroid sprays.

I've seen two separate doctors, neither of whom can come up with any results or new plans. A surgeon once suggested a dilation, but the gastroenterologists didn't think it was warranted; indeed, sometimes the gas seems endlessly ripping from my throat, and other times I can hardly burp any more than one dry, harsh belch.

I'm not sure what's happening, but if anyone else has advice or knows of any potentially unusual post-nissen happenstances, I'd be interested to hear it; the internet hasn't provided me with much through my Google searches.

Post Edited ([J.K.]) : 2/11/2013 6:26:00 PM (GMT-7)

Does eosinophilic esophagitis show up measurably on a barium swallow? I don't believe it was mentioned when I last went to the doctor...
The pain is amazingly disruptive.

Hello, hello. Me again.

It's looking like this isn't a case of EoE after all, so I'm just about out of options. I don't know if anyone is even reading this, but if someone is, I'm looking for one last idea. I figure I may as well throw all my chips on the table and say "let's give it one grand, final stab" before giving up, y'know?

I'm on my own, and I'm at a loss here; I don't see any emotional or financial viability in tussling with this any longer as it only seems to get worse and worse with each passing month. If you were in my weary shoes, what would you have your doctors do?

I've taken both muscle relaxers and a low-grade antidepressant for the possibility of spasms. I can't imagine that's what it is; the primary sensation is something like a trapped gas pain (which I would have assumed was an indication of my wrap being too tight if it weren't for the fact that I occasionally belch quite frequently). I also have a strange pain in my ribs just a bit left of my xiphoid process and an occasional burning at the base of my throat that PPI's don't seem to touch. These pains used to alternate between strong and week for a couple weeks back and forth, but there's been no reprieve lately. I can't even recall what it must be like to be healthy, to sit back on a quiet evening and not be occupied primarily with thoughts of pain or discomfort.

I never would've guessed something like this would happen, much less dominate my life so much. I don't go out much anymore. I can no longer play music with others. My writing has pretty much ceased now that my mind is occupied almost solely by my stomach problems. I haven't had a proper relationship since before this all began. Everything that made my life has what it was has deserted me, leaving only hope in its place. And the funny thing is, I've nearly given up on that as well.

Do people still have exploratory surgeries anymore? Or is that just substituting an exhaustive procedure for what could be done in simpler ways?

Have you had a pH test to see if you're getting reflux?

Could it be a gas/bloating problem?

If all else fails I may ask to go down the dilation route, imo it's better to try it than live in pain. Or have a redo with a partial wrap.

Dont give up, I know how psychologically damaging this kind of pain is, believe me. Do some research online for coping with persistant chronic pain, there are lots of great things out there which can make coping with pain aimed at people with uncurable conditions, but that can help anyone dealing with pain. It'll make it easier until you finally get this sorted.