Newbie-What are my options after long term GERD?

I have been reading several posts here about people having the Nissen after having symptoms for less than a year. I didn't know that was an option? I have been suffering with GERD/acid reflux and have been on PPI's for about 15 years. This all began after having severe hyperemesis with 2 pregnancies. The vomiting was so severe that I was vomiting blood. I was fed by NG tubes during my first pregnancy. My GI doc said that it caused the erosion of my esophagus. Anyway, I've had several EGD's over the years. My last one showed multiple polyps and my hiatal hernia that was first noted 15 years ago. Two of the largest polyps were removed and all biopsies were noncancerous. My PPI meds barely get me to the 24hr mark. I'm out of Nexxium and my doc wanted my to try Zantac 2x per day. Well, that's a fricking JOKE!!! Zantac does nothing and I'm afraid to burp because my house may catch fire! My next GI appt is on Jan 6th. Not sure if I can make it till then but he wanted me to give the Zantac a chance. My esophagus is very ANGRY at the moment. I found this board and would like to find options to discuss with my GI in January. Is a Nissen indicated for severe acid reflux? I can't get any info about Tricare covering that. I was going to talk to the insurance person at my GI office. I'm sure she knows who covers what. I figured that a Nissen would be a "last resort" method. A few posts I read had one after symptoms of less than a year. How is it that I've been suffering this long??? I'll be demanding options on my next appt. this is BS!! I'm a fire breathing dragon for heavens sake!!!

Link4pink,
I was on PPI's for about 8 years and changed my diet and now I'm down to two pepcids a day and some days I may take 2-3 tums. I think the thing that was causing me most of the problems was grain based foods. I hope you find something that works for you. It seems that if diet change doesn't work, then there's either a hiatal hernia or a weakened LES and surgery tends to be a good fix for those.

Hi link4pink,
I was diagnosed with GERDS and hiatal hernia in Aug 2013. Saw the Gi again yesterday and told I have duodenitis as well. I go back again in 2 months and if things are not better I plan to consider the surgery at that point as well. Currently I take 2-40mg protonix a day and have been trying to ween myself off of them, however when I do the symptoms just flares up worst. keep us posted and good luck. oh, most drs feel the surgery is a waste of time because it usually end up having to be done more than once and generally shy away from recommending it. My first GI dr was completely against it. So it depends on the dr at what point he will suggest it to you and u request it yourself.

I dealt with it for about 13 years or so before getting the nissen. If GI's recommended surgery for all their patients they would have a lot fewer coming back for appointments and treatment.

I know the VA does the nissen, so I believe Tricare would cover this too.

Take care,
Bill