Hiatus hernia

Digestive health
1

Hi all, i have suffered with acid reflux since forever, I finally entered into a research program for dyspepsia at the ****** ******** ****** in N*********. I was one of the lucky ones and had to have an endoscopy, but after having said endoscopy I knew I had an Hiatus Hernia. I have now been taking 40mg esomeprazole (Nexiam) for around 10yrs now and have minimal problems. Around 3yrs ago I had to have my gall bladder removed after suffering frequent incredible pain caused by the pressure of bile being blocked by gall stones, this pain would last until the gall stone had been passed through the bile duct. Any pain around the area of your hiatus hernia will be mainly felt behind the sternum, which was why the specialist I went to see about this horrific pain decided (after various tests failed to return any conclusive evidence) to remove my gall bladder.

Every day is different, sometimes feel on top of the world which believe me is not often, to feeling nauseus, chest pains, and countless other symptoms. I have also been taking for about a year now Candesartin for my blood pressure but find regular bike riding helps to keep things in check.

More recently because I work sitting at a bench welding small components I find it is hard to concentrate on my posture, which causes a lot of pain associated with the position of sitting (lots of typists an office workers suffer terrible pain between their shoulders and neck due to sitting at a desk for long periods). Sitting for long periods of time also causes you to slouch which in turn puts pressure on the hiatus hernia. I have because of this, recently been suffering sudden bouts of spasms around my hernia, which seems to temporarily tighten my chest accompanied with sudden pain, the sensation of being on the verge of passing out, and affects my breathing. This is frightening to say the least, the first time it happened I thought this is it, brown bread, the long sleep.

I am toying with the idea now of having the operation but I'll see how things go for a while longer, anyway this is how I feel living with my Hiatus Hernia.

Just a parting note: No-one really understands what you are living with, only a fellow sufferer. I always tell anyone mocking me as malingerer, \"DON'T KNOCK IT TILL YOU'VE TRIED IT\". Chin up and look to the future don't let your hernia rule your life.

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2

Good post.

I'm on Nexium but it just does not work. It has reduced the amount of reflux, but I still get the choking effect after eating which is absolute murder.

3

I am due to see my Consultant Surgeon on 7th Oct, after having 2 endoscopies, a barium meal swalow, manometry and 24hr PH monitoring.

I thought it was to discuss a Nissen's Fundoplication op but noticed on the monitoring report that I asked my GP to print out there was some talk of upping the medication. I am sure it would help with the acid (of late the burn has been in my stomach, just below left boob) but can't see how it can stop my stomach coming up through my large sliding hiatus hernia. All the tests showed that my food cannot move through smoothly hence the nausea, food reflux, pain and generally having some really bad days. It is difficult to plan outings etc. Even a trip to the hairdressers can be worrying.

So not sure what will happen on th 7th.

4

I Know the feeling, Gemini. I can't plan anything because of this problem. I need to go to the dentist but there is no way I could cope with that!

How long has it been between the 1st endoscopy and the op being mentioned, Gemini?

5

The first endoscopy was in Jan 2009. The Dr saw me a couple of times and said I would be on Omeprazole for life and would need an endoscopy every 2 years (because of the Barretts) and discharged me. My present Consultant Surgeon took out my gallbladder in April 2009. He then repaired an inguinal hernia on 30th December 2009. I developed a large lump in the groin area after the op and saw the surgeon twice for checkups. The week after Easter when he was doing a final check he asked me how things were and I told him I was not feeling good.He arranged for a barium meal swallow which I had in May and then he himself did a gastroscopy in June . I was supposed to see him July but he was on call but his registrar told me an op was suggested but my surgeon wanted me to have a manometry and 24hr Oesophageal Monitoring.

I see him on Thursday to discuss and presumably will have to go on a waiting list despite saying yes to the op In July. It has been a long haul. I became very unwell 3 years ago so it seems forever but I am better than I was then.