Connect
← Return to Shortness of Breath - Is it a hiatial hernia?
Discussion
Shortness of Breath - Is it a hiatial hernia?
Digestive Health | Last Active: Jun 19 9:25am | Replies (14)Comment receiving replies
I had a bit of shortness of breath, but mostly because of a nagging cough for many years I went to a cardiologist and this very thorough Dr. did 6 tests and found I had a triple blockage, shocking to me, but I AM a "foodie" and after I retired I was told to take the statins but didn't because they caused such muscle and joint ache and feel that was the cause. Anyway had the open heart surgery , 2 mth. later got back to playing pickle ball and biking but still had the cough, so went to a GI doctor, he did an endoscopy ,took photos of my "hiatal hernia" , OK, now I thought I had an answer, so I found a surgeon who does hiatal hernia surgery ( called Nissen fundoplication ) but he said he would not do it without two more tests -so he sent me to HIS GI doctor and that doctor did two extensive tests, one with a "chip" inserted and the other with the tube up the nose -these have names but forgot what they are called !! So, after, this GI doctor said I "don't have a hiatal hernia and so I don't need surgery !!! WHATTT ? now I am back to "square one" but the surgeon said that is why I wanted the two other tests. I was now told by another GI doctor that it could be a "SLIDING HERNIA" anyone heard of this ?? I am so frustrated in not being able to stop the cough of many years, and improving my breathing for the sports and "life" that I enjoy !!! HELP !!!
Replies to "I had a bit of shortness of breath, but mostly because of a nagging cough for..."
Connect
I know how frustrating it can be. I too have a sliding hiatal hernia. When it gets stuck in the up position I get so much pain. The ER told me on Tuesday that they could not see the hernia on xray but because I refused the dye their view was limited. That's crap if you ask me. They could see a lot on the xray but just love to use us as lab rats. Sliders are very hard to detect. We know they are there as we live in these bodies but unless they do invasive testing, they say they are not there. I too have a cough from the hernia which causes the silent reflux to creep up especially during the night. I sleep sitting up which helps, i don't eat 3 to 4 hours before bed, i take a gaviscon before sleep, my food intake is minimal and bland. Just not sure what can be done. I do not think surgery is the answer for me. It might be different for you. I would find another doctor if I were you until you get someone who will listen to you.