i have been diagnosed with large intra-thoracic hiatal hernia which has caused part of my lung to collapse. I am very breathless and can hardly walk anywhere now. I see my Consultant in two weeks and we are going to talk about having an op to repair this. One of the problems is that my heart isn't too good. Has anyone had this op. Can't find anything about this on line. Please can anyone help me to decide.
Yes, I know what that is. It is usually called a paraesophageal hernia or a rolling hiatus hernia. It means that your stomach has pushed through your diaphragm into your chest and is beside ( para) your esophagus. This kind of hernia is a big concern because it can twist and cut off oxygen to your organs. It needs to be put back into its proper place usually through laproscopic surgery. I had this done 5 months ago and am very glad I did. You can expect to have shoulder pain after you wake up because they pump gas into your abdomen while they work to be able to see things better and the gas moves up into your shoulders. While I was in recovery they put an ice bag on my shoulder and that helped a lot. I can only take Tylenol extra strength as a pain killer as I am allergic to codeine and morphine. That was all I needed. I took the Tylenol for about a week after. The five little scars healed quickly. Before I had trouble swallowing, lots of burping happening , sharp pains at times that felt like a heart attack, trouble sitting, could only wear pants that were loose at the waist, lost 15 pounds because I felt full quickly, was anemic and it even caused terrible headaches because of the pressure it put on my Vegas nerve ( main nerve to the brain.) I'm afraid I still have problems with gas, usually in the evening , mainly flatuence but I have my energy back and I am generally feeling good. Hopefully you get your operation soon. This is a serious situation so it has to be fixed.
Judy
So glad to see your post, my problems sound very like yours and I am having the op in July, the surgeon is hoping to do it keyhole but as I have been told it is "giant"' 9 cm he is not sure. the hernia is pressing on both sides and I am tired all the time breathless and do not enjoy food, (apart from.Pudding which is keeping my weight stable. It is too much effort to chew food so I have lost my appetite. I am glad to hear you have improved as I was worried about going through this operation and hoping for a big improvement in my quality of life.
Keyhole is laproscopic. There is usually no problem doing it this way and your recovery time is much faster. Google giant paraesophageal hernia and you should find more info. If your symptoms get worse they may get you in sooner. Mine was very large also. When I look back on my health I would say mine started over twenty years ago with digestive problems. The anemia made them do testing that found the hernia.
Judy
Judy
Thanks for your quick reply, I have had symptoms for at least 15 years. I think the surgeon thought it might be difficult Laparoscopicly so he had to warn me. We are going on holiday in June so July should be ok I will be glad to get it over with.
So glad to see your positive post
Thanks for your reply Judy. It looks as if you have helped two people with this. Two weeks seems to be such a long time before I see Consultant again. I try to go somewhere most days but I really struggle with my breathlessness. Even from the car to the shops I am exhausted and I'm sure this can't be doing my heart any good. I've been having a dull ache in my chest recently so I phoned my Doctor's Surgery for advice. I tried to explain quickly about my recent results ie stomach protruding into my lung space and part of my lung having collapsed. Her advice was to take a Paracetamol. Couldn't believe this. Anyway thanks again for replying. It's given me a chance to get this off my chest (no pun intended).
Hi. I had laprascopic surgery for intrathoracic stomach with fundoplication 27 days ago and am recovering very well. I had problems breathing and my stomach was totally in my chest and had pushed my heart out of position. Post surgery you will have difficulty swallowing for a few days plus shoulder pain from the Co2 they use in the surgery and then after that I have had pain in the shoulders which is called referred pain and will eventually go away! I was only in hospital for three days and haven't felt too bad at all. Just very tired! I can only eat small meals and you will need to take vitamin supplements. I am 65 and glad I had the surgery! The waiting is the worst part! Make sure that you have a very experienced surgeon in this field and I wish you all the best!
I am so glad you replied Lynne as no one out there seems to have had this op! Did you have it done in the UK? I am waiting for an appointment with an NHS Surgeon and I have also made enquiries at a Private Clinic in London but after detailing my symptoms they haven't come back to me. Were you very out of breath especially after eating? I feel my life is on hold. I'm 70 hrs old in a few weeks and just feel so useless. I can't do much housework, can't go upstairs, can't go around supermarkets. My heart isn't very good and my stomach/hernia has collapsed part of my lung. Did you have to wait long for an operation? Thanks again for putting this on.
Hello again! I am in Australia and after many years of hospital visits because of pain in my chest and loads of tests etc and visits to specialists because my breathing was getting worse and nothing showed up except for my giant hiatus hernia so did research and even emailed a surgeon in France and he said that breathing was definitely a symptom of giant hernia. I had the surgery in a private hospital as I pay private insurance. I went for a walk today and was not out of breath! I had to go on a diet for a month before surgery to lose some weight and to shrink My liver to make it easier for the surgeon. I am glad that I have had the surgery. My thoughts are With you.
Hi. Im in Australia. I went to a private hospital. Yes I became very breathless especially after meals and was unable to even bend over to do the dishwasher and had stopped going out very much. Loads of problems. Today I went for a walk without becoming breathless. I smiled! Surgery is worth it. Good luck with finding someone who will help you!
Hi Lynne, just wondered how your recovery is going? I have still not had an appointment come through to speak to a surgeon. Just wish that someone would contact me in the UK with the name of a good surgeon who specialises in this type of operation. Hope things are improving with you. Take care.
Hi! So glad you are doing well. Was anything done to the diaphragm to prevent this from reoccurring?