Hi Maloushka,
I am waiting for a fundoplication operation and hernia repair. I am on the same meds as you are - as I couldn't take PPI's either. I have read up on the operation - and looked at pro's and con's, and I feel for me it is the best option. You have to think whether you want to spend you life on tablets, or strict diets or go for the surgery - which to some is extreme - but the hernia won't fix itself - and the muscle damage is already done. I do think it is good to find a surgeon who has done the operation a lot of times, as you are less likely to have problems later on. I am having a 270 fundoplication as opposed to a full 360 - less problems with belching and vomiting after.
I hope that you get sorted soon!
Thank you both Glennie68 and ted41159!
It's always nice to get some support.
Ted41159 : Ranitidine took 3 weeks to actually works for me. I also noticed the difference when I had to be off treatment for 4 days for the 24 hour PH test, my symptoms just multiplied by 10! And then when I started to take back the Ranitidine it took a good week to works again.
Glennie68 : I do think that th operation is probably the best option for me, taking into account that I am only 23 and I really don't want to take tablets all my life. I read a lot about it too, I know recovery won't be easy and will take long but I am ready to go through it if I can be symptom free afterwards! I hope the surgery will work for you!
I am seeing the surgeon (who apparently has loads of experience and is excellent, I hope people are right about him!) on the 5th of February to get the results of my oesophagial and PH manometry and to decide on the surgery...I'll keep you posted!
Hi Maloushka,
Yes - it will be good to know how it goes for you. I am booked for my surgery 10th March - so it's just a waiting game for me now.
Glennie, Maloushka Good luck to you both and please make sure you keep us informed of your progress.
Its bad enough getting something like this at my age let alone at your young ages.I will keep taking the Ranti.. given you say it may take a little longer to kick in.
Glennie I will remember your appointment date as its my birthday.
Regards
Ted
Hi guys,
Sorry for the delay in giving you news but my appointment was cancelled and then postponed and I finally saw the surgeon yesterday.
The good news is that they found out what's my exact problem and that I don't need surgery, the bad news is according to them that there is nothing they can to fix or at least releave it...
They found out after my PHmetry that the acid reflux I have does not come from my stomach but is actually bile reflux... According to the surgeon all I can do is eating small meals more frequently (which I was already doing) and drinking yakult or actimel! I was so upset when he told me that nothing could help that I could not think of any question, but now I have calm down I have loads.
He did not tell me about any potential complications, I would assume that my oesophagus and stomach being in contact with bile every single day might be damaged in the long run. He did not talk about any monitoring. or any potential risks in the long term.
I feel very frustrated and upset. I am going to book a new appointment with my GP and ask all my questions and might consider asking for a second opinion.
I hope that you are all doing well.
Regards,
Maelle
Hi there
ive been on meds for about 8 years now! theyre making me feel really ill,im very tired ,feel sick.
Ive had a hernia confirmed via endoscopy,im waiting for a PH test and a mannometry which im very worried about !
Im hoping im suitable for the linx,its nice to be on a forum where people understand.
Hi Matthew,
Don't be too worried about the manometry and ph tests - they are nowhere near as bad as the endoscopy! Be aware that having a linx repair is dependent on the size of your hiatus hernia - they are not keen on doing this if your hernia is bigger than 3cm. I'm sure you will be well informed by your surgeon anyway - and they wouldn't mention it if you were not a good candidate, However it's not the end of the world if you have to get a more permanent wrap - I had a 270 toupet done back in March and have been totally med free ever since. I can still belch - and I'm sure I could be sick - but I'll leave that one for now :-) nissen wraps tend to be much tighter, and you do hear that belching and vomiting becomes a problem. Not sure about vomiting with the linx either - as I have heard they can be quite tight too! You'd need to ask someone who's had it done!
Hope all goes well for you!
hi i had mine done in october 2013 and still having complications today
the pooeration went well and i thaught all the trouble was over, but the side effects of the operation are worse for me than before if i had the choise again i would say NO to having it again..
i have had diarrhea sice the operatio and still have it now (Dumig Syndrome ) so im told, i have to totaly change my diet and have lost so much weight i have had to but all new clothes.i cant even have a cup of tea anymore or im straight to the toilet. i was told i am one of the unlucky ones by the surgeon and my gp and will have to put up with it .make sure you find out about ALL of the side effects as i was never told about this and would have had second thoughts if i knew.
One good thing is no more Acid reflux
Any advice someone could guve me? I'm 16 with about the same situation as OP.
Hi Robyn,
I don't know whether you still follow this post but I'm wondering whether you went ahead with the surgery? I'm 25 and have also been diagnosed with a small hiatus hernia, I take lansoprazole every few days for acid reflux (I find I can get away with not taking it daily) however I'm concerned about the long-term effects. I also, like you, can't burp at all. Sometimes I force the air out from gagging, almost like I'm going to be sick but instead I just do a huge burp. I reckon the force of doing this frequently could have been the cause of my hernia. The results of my endoscopy didn't suggest any reason for my lack of burping and the doctor told me the hernia would normally cause people to burp more?!
Anyway, I'd be really interested to hear more about your experiences and whether you've found any relief!
Clare
I'm also interested as well if you ended up getting the surgery. I'm 21 years old and have controlled my GERD and hernia problems with medication however my symptoms got worse after and my doctor has referred me to a surgeon. Quite nervous, as living with these symptoms get worse everyday!
Thanks,
Kim
I'm 60 and had the 270 fundoplication and hiatus hernia repair 4 weeks ago. I was booked in for the Linx procedure, but when they operated the surgeon found that my hernia was huge, he said that most of my stomach was actually in my chest. Tests had only shown a small sliding hernia. Apart from very mild reflux and a urine infection I am recovering well, home the following day, and very grateful. I can definitely still burp!!
Hi, probably will not get a reply since your initial post is 4 years old but would love to know how things have turned out for you. Dealing with same things and like most the big ? is do surgery or not? I think eventually the answer will be made for everyone, considering the many health risk & diseases caused by the hh. If you somehow do read this and find the time to reply it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton & hope all is well.
Hi @robynjade...
My hh was diagnosed yesterday and my gp says it's a small hh and that I have GERD as well. He was not for the surgery as he sufferers from the same too and recommended I take ppi and antacids instead. . I m a 35 year old woman and mother of 3. And I don't know whether I should get a second opinion or just do as he said so I am still able to look after my kids properly. The operation side effects freak me out so much.
I am also,over 60 and have had a problem with my stomach for a while. Dr put it down to anxiety for a long time but recently I have started to have pain between my shoulder blades, especially at night. I have had nausea on and off for many months. What i dont have is acid refluxing into my mouth, pain in chest, belching or the other symptoms.have tried ppis whih gave me massive anxiety, gaviscon worked for several years but not now. I am now on ranitidine but if i swallow the pills i get pain in the night in my back, its as if they are not dissolving properly. A locum has just referred me to see g i specialist who says just standard procedure ie endoscopy manometry. What i dont understand is why my pain is in back. I am still very anxious and frightened of what endoscopy may bring. I had gallbladder out two years ago and this has happened since then somi wonder if its related to that. I am at a loss and dont want surgeries which are not necessary. Even the endoscopy scares me. All hospitals do. I also see that not all hernia ops have a good result and thats putting me off. What i have to do i dont know. Is it gallbladder man, or oesophageal man
Hi there - I am new on here but not to hiatus hernia. I have had a small one for 2 years. Did not have much problem with it really, gerd was also seen with the camera. Adjusted my diet and things were ok for ages. Started to feel a tight feeling under left breast which has stopped me exercising which I hate. Pain sometimes runs around to the back. I am assuming it is my HH. I have been looking at the two different ops for HH. I was interested in the Linx as I am in the UK. I was under the impression that they would not do it if it was more than 3c but you say yours was huge when they went in. Sounds like it has worked well for you which you must be really pleased about. From what I have read Linx is the better option. Glad you posted and keep getting better. BTW which hospital did you go to - I am in Manchester and wonder where my nearest is to look into.
Thanks for the post - good to read.
Gwen.
Hi ann, I am also in my 60's. I feel the same about hospitals. My hubs wants me to have an op for my HH but I am also put off by things I read. There seem to be more bad stories than good. I am leaning towards the Linx as I am in Manchester UK. My hubs says just go private and get it done - then it will be over. He has no idea what can come along with it and the fact that for some, the Nissen can come undone. Needless to say he has never read a forum!!
It is so hard working out what to do. We have separate bedrooms because I have awful insomnia and toss and turn, then sit up and read in bed but the nights seem long when you are thinking and worrying what to do for the best with your stomach. My symptoms have been not too bad for the last 2 years since diagnosis, but I can feel a change going on for the last month which is not going away - and anxiety defjnitely makes it worse.
I don't like PPIs and refused them so I have ranitidine 150 am and pm and sometimes I can feel it like you say as though it has not dissolved. I do find Mastic Gum at bedtime a real friend though. I also take Pepsin.
I have read many times when a person has their gallbladder out - that things can seem worse, maybe there is an imbalance there. Have you tried any alternative route. Inflammation can be felt in the body with various therapies. I went down that route a year ago with Kinesiology for my gastric issues. She told me where my imbalances were and where the inflammation was and suggested certain supplements.
It is life changing these gastric probs and gets you own, the only good thing to come out of it is forums like this.
Hi christelle, what supplements have you tried for your HH. Absolutely all doctors will say PPI and antacids. They seem to dismiss HH as anything to worry about. Just live with it !! You are very young to have the op and being a mother of 3, you have a lot on your plate when trying to recover - not easy.
Hi Gwen! Thanks for taking the time to reply to me. I really do appreciate it.
I was given omeprazole 40mg daily and a liquid antacid. Exactly as you thought...☺
I will try to stay positive and look forward to the future.
Thanks again Gwen.
Thanks for your note. We are in same position and dont know what to,do. If i dont have the severe back,pain i can cope on restricted diet. Have you had gallbladder out? Thats when mine became a problem somnot sure if its that or hernia. Drs just want to mess about with my insides and im not keen, too many bad outcomes.