Have you lifted your bed up, so you're sleeping at an incline? That could help with the refluxing acid, and possibly reduce some of your constant swallowing.
The PH study is a probe they put down your throat that documents how many times you reflux acid and for how long, usually in a 24 hour window. Sometimes they ask you to go off your acid reducers during that time, sometimes they have you stay on your acid reducers. I was still on mine when I had mine done. They will encourage you to eat all the foods and do all the things that cause your symptoms to flair up.
For me, it did not matter what I did or ate to cause the symptoms to be there. They were just there all the time.
The reason I bring this up, is so you can determine what level the acid refluxing is causing problems. You already know you have a hernia, which is causing acid to rise, but you want to know how much and for how long. Acid unchecked can cause lots of other problems, and even more symptoms than what you are experiencing now.
Your primary care doctor is not going to know what to do for you. I highly suggest going to a gastroenterologist, who will be able to give you these kinds of tests, and take the appropriate course of action. You will thank yourself for doing it. Trust me.
I had the most drastic measure done, which ultimatly has cured me of at least 95% of all my reflux, was surgery. I don't want to jump to that conclusion right off the bat for you, I'd rather you go talk to your GI. Knowing what your treatment options are would be the best way to go.
Post Edited (Diaas2) : 1/6/2014 8:06:48 AM (GMT-7)