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Para esophageal hernia ( stomach in thoracic chest)
I have been managing through lifestyle changes and proton pump inhibitors my stomach being “sucked” up into my chest. Also known as an “intra-thoracic stomach”.
Anyone else living with their stomach in their chest? I don’t want to have surgery if I can avoid it. I don’t want to be on PPIs the rest of my life either. I am a 69 yrs old female. I have a large hiatal hernia. Do I need a thoracic surgeon or a general surgeon? I also have a ventral hernia from previous abdominal open surgery that I would like to have repaired. Any perspective or opinions will be much appreciated regarding managing or surgical intervention of living with an intra- thoracic stomach. Thanks!
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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!
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3 ReactionsI 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