Help
Has anyone out there with a Hiatus Hernia experienced what feels like heartburn in your back and left arm. I have been diagnosedwith a Hiatus Hernia and take 30mg of Lansoprazoleonce a day and 10 of Motilium 3 times a day. But it doesn't seem to help the pain I have. I have had pain every single day for the past 2years and swapped between meds i.e omeprazole etc but nothing seems to work. I lot of the symptoms on research only states chest but I get it bad in my upper back around that knot thing in your kneck then it goes down my arm. Just wondered if anyone else has had this. Before I was diagnosed I thought I was dying I had seen every consultant you can imagine from heart,back brain to stomach. The docs seem to think now I know what it is I should feel less anxitey, well I don't as still feel really bad pain every day and meds not working.
Hi pinkmignon123
I have had severe oseophagitus caused by reflux, and I did experience the frightening upper back pain - it was worse right between the shoulder blades. I felt as though a burning spear was piercing through me! My pain was also under my armpit, although I know people who have felt it down their arms.
It had gone now as my condition is under control. Healthy diet and meds for a long time I am afraid.
It is terrifying - keep on with the meds, it does help.
Suze
I too have suffered hh for 2yrs now & also get pain in my back - under my shoulder blades & down my left arm. It isn't constant, but when I get it - it is very painful. I used to think it was a heart attack, but I am pretty sure it's 'wind'. Drs say you shouldn't get 'wind' there, but my father used to get it in his neck (though the drs said it wasn't possible). He would rub where the pain was - & belch, & the pain would go. I have tried rubbing my arm when I get the pain & often find it will go. Try it - it's worth a go.
Hi
I know how you feel.
I have suffered with this also for many years.
It does drive you crackas.
I have got another appointment with the specialist tomoz and I am pushing for an operation, does your stomache swell up? mine does, it is also worse in cold weather.
Steve
Hello
I am a long term sufferer with Haitus Hernia and had the op plus a 2nd repair. I also now have Chronic Pain Syndrome. from other operations. The pain in the arms and back could be some kind of displaced pain from IBS type symptoms. Pain travels and so does wind- if it cannot go the normal route - and you can literally get pain anywhere in the body as the Central Nervous System gets distorted.
Hiatus hernia operation can be very quick and easy - maybe a 4-6 weeks if it is relatively straightforward and the surgeon has experience in this procedure - make sure it is not the junior surgical registrar doing this procedure, unsupervised as can happen with these type of operation. But it is major surgery despite what the surgeon may say - my GP says it is one of the most difficult and traumatic operations going. Make sure you really need it as it one of those procedures that surgeons like to perform to get experience! They tell you - after three days you will be back at work which is complete nonsense.
You tummy does not swell up but it is excruciating painful for at least a week and for me this went on much longer so take the painkillers for a while - not anti-inflammatories at all even with Lanzopruzole as some doctors try to give you - this will irritate the scar tissue. Use Tramadol or Codeine and take laxatives. Follow the instuctions about diet and be very careful to stay of a light liquid diet for as long as you can. No meat. Begin to love vegetable soups and carrot juice! Hope that helps.
Hiya Steve I get really bad pain in my chest, back, arms and my throat always seems sore ? I too have the stomach swelling it is dreadful ! my GP says it is IBS ?? I am gonna push for the operation too.
I feel like I cannot breath and when I lie flat i can't catch my breath ? does anyone else suffer with this ? I also feel like there is something moving in my chest and throat and the pain is awful so I have to prop myself up ! sick and tired of it all
But yes tummy does swell
Sandie
Hi pinkmignon I don't get the acid feeling you have discribed in the arm and back, but I do get pain under the left arm in the armpit area and my left arm seems to twitch of its own accord also get palpations in the left side of my stomach. Had the same kind of anxious feeling as you thinking I'm having heart attacks and ect.GP's can be very frustrating they don't seem to understand much about your condition and one I saw did'nt seem too care too much. I finally meet a great GP who referred me to a consultant. My advice to you is too keep goin back to your GP and explain what affect this is having on your day to day life and mental well being and don't take no for an answer off them , Until he or she refer's you. Some times he/she who shouts loudest with the nhs shouts last!! Best of luck hope you get sorted soon.
Hi, you posted over a year ago and I wonder...
how are you coping with the hh now?
I'm scheduled for surgery on the 9th Oct and frankly I'm dreading it, but hoping it helps as my symptoms are similar to yours and unbearable. Im in a lot of pain already so not worried about that but I'm bringing blood up which is controlled by lansoprazole though it comes back within a few days if i have to stop the the meds for any reason (ie the horrendous tests)
I hope you are faring better and that I hear back from you.
Babs
I
hi same here have suffered like this for 4 years now been seeing a orthapeidic consultant because i do have a bulging disc however he informs me that the problem is not my back and refers me back to doctor who is sending me to have the camera down into the stomach because he says i have a hietus hernia my syptoms are it starts when i lay down get rib soreness which in turn makes me feel like i have belly ache also i have this niggly pain in my back between the shouder blades comes right through to my chest also hurts when i breath get a burning feeling under my arms can`t sleep i average about 3 hrs per night which is draining me of energy the nhs is very slow at giving appointments i have waited now for 3mths not very happy have worked all my life and have contributed into the system
just have to wait and see now hope you start to feel better and hope my reply helps thank you albert
Hi there, I also get back and shoulder pain on that side when I am having a flare up
Hi there,
You posted over a year ago and I wonder how you are getting on?
I have been unwell since last October with symptoms similar to yours, but with chest pain too. I am taking the same medication but this doesn't work, have seen umpteen doctors and had tests galore.
Eventually diagnosed with small hiatus hernia. The ph manometry test revealed my LES is too tight! so it seems surgery is not an option for me.
Hope you are feeling better by now!
Lynne
Oh well here we. Go again Docs telling you it's not related ( when we feel it is)
i now get this pain in my right armpit and your right it's quite scary indeed doc passed it off (as usual) as anxiety well yes after months of this pain I am anxious until I spoke to my accupuncturist who told me this meridian under your armpits is directly linked to the meridian controlling the hiatus hernia,
I have been seeing my accupuncturist for over a year now and funnily enough in the outset after explaining hernia he asked if I had armpit pain then I didn't but sure as hell have it now. It made my right boob hurt too (I'm a male bye the way ) so that was scary too.
doc wanted anti inflammatory drugs I refused this pain is persistant but after accupuncture it slowly ebbs away after a couple of days. I also get heartburn and reflux but stopped taking proton pump inhibitors as the side effect of dioreah just made everything worse (inc heartburn and nausea)
the pain is linked so try not to get anxious about it. It's all about reassurance my accupuncturist put one needle in and said is the pain gone and hey presto it was straight away.he said a lot of pain is caused by trapped air pressing on nerves which lead to referred pain elswhere. If I have a bad day I dread it as I feel so awfull I won't leave the house as you feel like your gonna drop dead that's how ghastly I feel I guess we just have to live with it even though it's alarming at the time and scares you try to just believe that it will go given the right reatment whatever that is for you.
Good luck and best wishes
HI
I know your email was a while ago. I am going through hell now, my Mum passed away and I was so stressed for months, and had terrible symptoms. I always had probs with acid, and numerjous endoscopies showed gastritis and reflux, then a Hiatus Hernia. Now I get lot of back pain, radiating from stomach, headaches, cannot sleep and really scared to eat anything lmuch. It rules your whole life. I been told to raise lmy bed on bricks to stop reflux at night, and therefore I cannot sleep with my partner and he has a double bed. he has no patience and does not understand anything so feel very alone. I am really scared I will die of this, as i know there are complications. I take Omeprazole which does not help. I feel pain on the left side abdomen all the time. Life is miserable and is so hard to work. The fatigue is enormous but there seems little docs can do. Surgery to that part of the body is never successful or is it? I get the same pains as you and in pain most of the day. I try and exercise but it is very awkward when you feel rough.
Well I'm so sorry you feel this way but I have too on millions of episodes of this dreadfully debilitating mess.
all I can say is listen to people's advice and act on it after years of this I've resorted to every therapy there is accpuncture is my choice although not for every one for me it helps...I went to visit a nutritionist in desperation after getting headaches that lasted days nausea, aching bones etc etc she did a blood test for me showed up dreadful depletion in magnesium she recommended magnesium citrate as magnesium oxide (the cheaper sort ) can cause diorea I was scared to take at first as the last thing I wanted was stomach probs but I was desperate for the migraines to go I took them after 2 days my whole demenor changed I was less stressed reflux just went and I have energy levels way beyond what I was expecting as normal.
i used to get such terrible thoughts like you now I feel more optimistic and positive
the hernia seems to be behaving as a consequence pains under my ribs arm etc just stopped.you need to see your doc if your taking other medication and mine just poo pooed the notion of taking them and tried to frighten me into saying if you have a healthy diet you won't need them but I ignored her and here I am stopped Zantac and anti de presents before taking them and I feel remarkably well.
the best I've felt in years.
i wish you luck and hope you give it a try you can do it without having blood test but you really do need to tell your doc in case your on medication that can cancel it out or worse make you more ill when using prescription drugs.
read up on the benefits of boosting your magnesium it's quite amazing let's know if you do and if it's helping in any way best wishes you'll be fine through it all I know I've Been there so many times.Boho
Hi Boho
It sounds like you have had your fair share of pain and discomfort. I recently had blood tests but magnesium wasn't me ntioned. My Vit d was low though. I will look up the benefits and ask the doctor. I am on. Omeprazole which I have taken for years.
my partner cannot take it and I think he will leave. He likes to cruise and holiday all the time as he is retired. I am never well enough to go so he goes with other people. It is horrible not having a normal life.
Im glad you feel a lot better. Take care
Dear Geraldine, docs never test for magnesium deficiency so you won't have been informed.
i know what you mean about the holidays I've cancelled so many at the last moment cos I've been scared of falling ill.
but I can assure you you mustn't feel this way.i bit the bullet and flew to spain for 3 weeks the whole time I was there I felt so much better a combination of different surroundings sun and nice food made me feel on top of the world.
my partner has reached breaking point when I say I don't want to go anywhere even on a dog walk but now I think what the hell. Just do it if you feel rough well you feel rough no matter were you happen to be don't fall for the comfort of home it's worse when you feel sick at home as you feel is there nowhere I'm going to be happy it's very disturbing and unsettling bite the bullet and please go on holiday you'll be really surprised. Your letting the disease take over (that's wrong ) think oh well if I have an episode so what!! I would have dealt with it at home you can deal with it whilst your away have faith just go for it you'll be surprised at your partners reaction too.
just think I'm doing this for us both be determined not to let it rule your life.
not easy I know as I'm sure you'll understand but give yourself a break and just go for it bugger the consequences good luck
Hi Luke. I think I get the same as you. I was diagnosed with hh but I've never had the acid reflux. Started with kind of palpitations or spasms on my left side. I burp a lot and get travelling pains in the back, buttocks and feet. Very weird. Makes you tired and feel weak. Been on tablets to stop acid but I don't get acid. Really fed up with my gp. Doesn't seem too concerned but I'm getting frustrated feeling like this now
Praying for you love hugs, I can relate God bless
What is your dosage of magnesium/brand and how long did it take to see results