Is endoscopy worth it for chronic GERD when lifestyle changes help?

[Violet_L]

I've been dealing with increasingly frequent GERD symptoms for about a year, relying on daily over-the-counter PPIs which help but don't eliminate the problem, and I'm concerned about long-term use. My doctor mentioned the possibility of a hiatal hernia and suggested an endoscopy, but I'm hesitant to jump to that. For others who have managed chronic GERD, what dietary or lifestyle modifications beyond the standard advice made a significant difference for you, and if you underwent testing, was the information from an endoscopy valuable enough in guiding your treatment plan to justify the procedure?