Para esophageal hernia ( stomach in thoracic chest)

Hi Lizziel1, Thank you for your reply. My concern is that there is no long term clinical studies on PPIs. I am concerned about its effects on kidney function. I am not in favor of surgery for a wide variety of reasons- I would need to have an open procedure and not laparoscopic because of adhesions from another surgery. For now I am managing pretty well with careful dietary changes and watching how much and when I eat. I have recently gotten off the PPI and am on Famotidine 20-40mg and seem to be doing OK. I typically end up in the ED once every 1.5-2 yrs with excruciating pain. I have a history of Cameron ulcers from when my stomach was sliding up and down through my diaphragm. I also have read that a person can still have a micro mist of gastric acid that comes up the esophagus despite taking the medication. I fear developing Barretts's cancerous esophagus. Surgery itself is not always successful over the long term. I know some people develop vagal nerve issues or ongoing wrap too tight issues. For now, I am going to try to medically manage and avoid surgery. Another concern I have is that proton pump inhibitors such as Omeprazole tend to make Rosacea (facial immune disorder) flair up. One other concern is also that the medications disrupt the microbiome of our gastro-intestinal system and then our ability to absorb nutrients is negatively affected. Thank you again for you response. I hope we both can continue to medically manage our conditions and not have surgery!

I too have a hiatal hernia and my stomach is also pushing up in my chest I need surgery but I have heard so many bad things about having a hiatal hernia repair I'm now scared to do it I also deal with chronic constipation that doesn't help much either I have tried to make some life style changes that has helped some but I still have to take PPIs all the time and sometimes that doesn't even help I'm unsure of what to do anymore 😔

I had the same thing along with intersussession
Intestines were folding inside (like a telescope) along with migrating into chest. Surgeon fixed it no problems

Like you I am living with it, but at 75 and still in good health am wondering how wise it is to keep postponing surgery. I have been on PPIs for over 20 years and can't remember ever having heartburn or feeling any reflux. I do get short of breath when doing anything strenuous beyond a brisk walk and I have had a few episodes of dysphagia while eating out at restaurants. These episodes don't last very long and typically I can avoid future episodes by eating small portions especially when eating rich foods. I haven't had any episodes for over a year and a half. In 2022 an EGD and barium swallow indicated I had a large hiatal hernia with approximately 70% of the stomach herniated into the posterior mediastinum and an organoaxial gastric volvulus was identified. A repeat EGD and barium swallow at the end of 2024 indicated I now had a large hiatal hernia with the entire stomach located in the posterior mediastinum with a chronic mesenteric axial gastric volvulus without obstruction of the gastric outlet. My obvious concern is that it goes from chronic to acute volvulus and from elective to emergency surgery. But like you, I am not anxious to have surgery. I was wondering if you are still managing it or if you had the surgery?

My stomach was laying on my lungs and heart, causing breathing problems and an erratic heartbeat. My gastroenterologist sent me to a specialist in Indy, who did a Nissan fundoplication. Because of prior problems w/ gastroparesis, I think a less extreme method would have been better. But thanks to an attentive dr. and paying attention to my diet to avoid too much fiber (I will never eat oatmeal again!) I'm now in pretty good shape.
I also lost about 45 pounds, and have kept it off for 2 years now, due to having a smaller stomach.

I have read that it is dangerous to fly with a large hernia because the air pressure could make it rupture. Is this true as I have a very large ventral hernia and a wedding to fly to in March?