A few years ago after an Endoscopy I was diagnosed with a small sliding Hiatus Hernia which I have treated with Omeprezole. Recently I have been encountering some breathing difficulties combined with a staggering amount of reflux and despite doubling to 40mg of Omeprezole the reflux and breathing problems continue. I have just had a further Endoscopy which revealed the same Hiatus Hernia and lots of reflux. I am fairly certain that the Hiatus Hernia/Reflux is responsible for my Breathing problems, but doctors seem to disagree although they can not tell me what is causing it.
I have seen a few similar postings to mine, can not sleep, wake up all sweaty, panicy, can not breathe, but no where can I see where a resolution was arrived at?
So, could the breathing problems be down to the Hiatus Hernia and if so how was the problem resolved.
Grateful for any advice.
Regards
Guy Greening.
HI Guyof chelt
I have acid reflux and I seem to have breathing problems as this is what the doctor put it down to after having a lung capacity test and so the asthma I thought I had was ruled out as my lung volume was for a 34 year old and yet I am 36???
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/gastrooesophagealreflux.htm
I hope this helps?
Kind Regards
SES
Hi Ses,
Many thanks, information contained in the link that you provided would suggest that my breathing problem could be associated with my Hiatus Hernia.
I have had an Endoscopy that confirmed the Hernia that I already knew about and an ulcerated Osphegeous. My reflux, belching despite being on 40mg Omeprezole is ridiculous.
Rather than undergo all the other not so pleasant tests that the Hospital have planned for me, I think that I am going to return to my Doctor and ask that he sorts out this terrible reflux. I am really confident that this will also resolve my breathing problem.
If this proves to be the case, I will post a further update here.
Cheers
guyofchelt
Hi there guyofchelt
Yes I would go back to your GP x
Regards
SES
An update. I had an endoscopy that highlighted a 3cm sliding Hiatus Hernia that I already knew about. It also highlighted \"Apparent mucosal junction at 38cm from the incisors and Grade \"A\" Oesophagitis (Mucosal breaks confined to the mucosal fold, each no longer than 5mm).
Strangely, I experienced immediate relief to the breathing problem straight after the Endoscopy, but this returned a day later.
The consultant prescribed me 10mg Domperidone for 4 weeks. After one week of taking this medication (together with 20mg Omeprezole) the Breathing problem was much easier. Now after almost a month I get numerous days where I do not experience the Breathing problem at all and even if I do, it is easily much more manageable.
Due to the Doctors tomorrow (11th March) and will provide a further update then if appropriate.
Comment: I am virtually positive that the breathing problem and Hiatus Hernia are related. The only time I get the breathing problem is when I am experiencing Reflux. I therefore believe that if the reflux can be permanently stopped, the breathing problem will be resolved.
Has no-one suggested to you that your breathing problems could well be due to excitation of the vagus nerve in the lower oesophagus by the acid reflux? another end of the vagus nerve is the the lungs which then contract to cause the breathing problems.
after months seeing gp & specialist, i saw an acupuncturist who explained it. when i went back to my consultant he said \"yes, that's a possibilty\"! quite why he couldn't spell out ALL the possibilities in the firts instance is beyond me!
go back & discuss the vagus nerve!
I dont know why doctors seem determined to keep you all on these expensive drugs for the rest of your lives! I got fed up and had keyhole. Go for it.... think, no more acid reflux! Its worth the recovery period on sloppy food and the flatulence. Ive still not god rid of wind and some bowel problems but thats just due to everything being 'tightened' up and will go. Had op in Feb and had no acid since that day, only one night in hospital and back to work 3 weeks later. Make sure you get an experienced surgeon though.
[quote:80f076b768=\"lori in surrey\"]I dont know why doctors seem determined to keep you all on these expensive drugs for the rest of your lives! I got fed up and had keyhole. Go for it.... think, no more acid reflux! Its worth the recovery period on sloppy food and the flatulence. Ive still not god rid of wind and some bowel problems but thats just due to everything being 'tightened' up and will go. Had op in Feb and had no acid since that day, only one night in hospital and back to work 3 weeks later. Make sure you get an experienced surgeon though.
Can you explain a bit more detail about the sloppy food and flatulence please. I am debating whether to have this but you have scared me a bit!!
Guy,
I have a an hiatus hernia and reflux, a continual sore throat and bronchial tube. My oesophagus feels sore and sometimes when I breath it feels like my lungs are not working, this has made me panic, hyper ventilate. I have been to A&E on two occasions thinking I was dying. I have had a breathing panic attack in my sleep (paramedics called by my wife). I am now beeing treated for \"floating anxiety\" on the assumption that these are panic attacks. I still think it is my hernia and your experience has help me understand mine. I think breathing over this open flask of acid must affdect the lungs. I usually starts with severe belching, tingling in fingers and feet, my disolved oxygen level goes down to 95%.
Hi there everyone,
I explained to my doctors about my breathing difficulties and my doctor agreed that acid reflux effects your breathing!!!! flipping awful.... and when I went to see my liver specialist I think he just put it down to asthma, have to have some blood test before my next appointment so just wondering if this could help them treat me in the future?? so sorry can't remember what blood test it is?
Regards
SES
have you ever had glandular fever ( Epstein Barr virus) I suggest if you have had it you look up the effects .
Cannot say more as I have reflux hernia and the specialist is looking a rhuematiod arthritis but my blood test showed up the EBV as it is an autoimune virus ,
Hope this helps
As I understand it, stomach acid is highly corrosive and regular reflux may cause acid to enter the lungs and damage them.
Try sleeping with your upper body elevated. This is best achieved sleeping on your back. Remember to put a pillow under your knees so that your legs are bent, and use 7/8 stacked pillows behind your back.
Due to past experiences, I have an adjustable bed and find this ideal. Useful to know they may be purchased zero-rated for VAT.
Hope this helps.
Hello Guy,
I also suffer from the same breathing problem as you, it is to do with henia causing reflux do you wheeze as if you have asthma?sliding hernia cause these problems.especily when walking.
Are you able to prop the head of your bed up, this is what i was told it helps at night.
Hi to all
Ive had a 3cm hiatus hernia for 2 years now. For the first 9 months it was awfull, palpitations that scared me to death, stomach and esophagus spasm. Heartburn, breathing problems and really bad chest pain. II have managed to get mine under control and found the biggest problem was overnight reflux. I didnt feel the pain during my sleep but the next day was awfull. I tried to elevate the bed which helps a little but i found that a swig of gaviscon advance before bed fixed all of my problems. I still take 20mg omeprazol in the morning and that swig of gaviscon gets me through the night. I have been symptom free for sometime now and can eat pretty much anything.
Hope this helps
Hi to all H H sufferer,s
Just returned home from having another endoscopy prior to a operation.
Result is now 37 c m s open Hernia dont know what that means, be glad to have it repaired as it is now putting strain on my other organs,
I also have been told I will need to go on dialyis as i have c k d.
Trying to remain positive and put my trust in my surgeon
We will get better one day WHOOPEE!!!!
Hiya
I havs experienced all what it is mentioned above and it was driving me crazy with the refux etc. 10 years ago I had keyhole surgery to rectify the problem. The procedure was called Lapriscopic Nissen Fundiplication.
The outcome was totally brilliant and for 10 years I have had absolutely no problems at all. Such a huge relief. I had the procedure done at a Hospital near Basingstoke where the consult there Mr Tim **** is a leader in this field in the UK.
Good luck everyone
(Sorry but Patient Admin have removed a Doctor, Consultant and or Hospital name from this posting, as it is the policy of Patient UK not to publish these on this forum.)
Hi all. I too have similar symptoms to those outlined here. Its kind of comforting to know that there are other people out there with hernias who are experiencing breathing difficulties/palpitations although i wouldn't wish it on anyone. I had my endoscopy in Feb2012 with diagnosis of small sliding hernia with mild oesophageal inflammation. I'm on 20mg omeprazole morning and night. Occasionally without warning my stomach or somewhere near spasms /palpitates and makes me feel like my heart has gone into irregular beating resulting in massive panic attack (although its happened that often that my panic attacks are more under control now) and is highly stressful. My doctor came up with the idea that my lungs are breathing in acid vapour not too dissimilar from breathing in vapours when granny is making chutney in the kitchen. I don't really buy into this but he is my doctor and actually performed my endoscopy but he had never come across my symptoms before. I think this vagus nerve might have something to do with it.
Hi-Just returned from an endoscopy which has revealed a hiatus hernia and I am interested in the above comments. I too have suffered from the most horrendous gastric reflux for which I take Lansoprazole caps -which unfortunately are not always effective. It has been suggested that i ask my g.p. to prescribe Nexium which are apparently more effective though much more expensive -hence g.p's are reluctant to prescribe them (but hey-I've worked since the day I left school and surely am worth it). I am most interested in the comments about the difficulties people are experiencing in breathing as I too have this. Last week I was sitting on my front doorstep at 2 in the morning in the pelting rain desperately trying to get my breath. I didnt realise that there was this connection between the acid reflux and shortness of breath-we live and learn.
hi i have the exact same problem im being give puffers for ashma they work to a point
but the solution is to fast for a few days when you get problems
i think my stomock comes up into my chest and restricts my breathing combined with the reflux getting into my lungs so i find if you stop eating for a few days it all calms down again
i find i have to do this every few months
try it
I'm a 33 year old male and I began getting breathing problems and palpitations about a year ago. Since then I've had all kinds of heart tests which were normal. I then suggested to my doctor that it could be a hiatus hernia and he referred me for an endoscopy. They found a small hiatus hernia and a cup and spill stomach and confirmed this through a barium swallow. I have now been refered to a surgeon who I saw today. He still seems to find it hard to believe that my symptoms are related to the hernia or reflux which is a bit frustrating as the last consultant was pretty sure about this. The surgeon wants to do another endoscopy (I can't wait!!) and he wants to measure my acid levels throughout the day before going ahead with surgery. The main symptom that I've been having is when I lay down withing 5 hours of eating I feel something tighten and move in my epigastrum which is followed by an increase in heart rate to around 180 bpm. When I stand my heart rate soon drops back in to a normal rhythm.
As the last post I also find that if I don't eat the symptoms reduce. I tried Omeprazole but this made my symptoms worst strangely so I'm just using gaviscon now.
Interestingly the cardiologist I saw was currently publishing a paper on the effects of gerd on the cardiovascular system.