1. < Digestive Health

Hiatal Hernia. What helps?

Posted by betterb4 @betterb4, Feb 13, 2017

I was just diagnosed with a small hiatal hernia but I'm feeling pretty miserable. I was a perfectly healthy person and this all started a couple months ago. It started with a feeling of a "lump" at the bottom of my esophagus (or top of my stomach). Sometimes I had a burning feeling in my esophagus. I mentioned it with my gastroenterologist before a routine colonoscopy; she pretty much dismissed it but immediately put me on Prilosec in the morning and Zantac.It really doesn't help very much. before bed. I had and EGD and she diagnosed and irritated esophagus and stomach and a small hiatal hernia.
I have now given up coffee, wine, chocolate, beef, tomatoes and eating after dinner (everyday the list grows.) We have propped our bed at an angle. I am afraid to eat. She insists that the hernia is not causing this, but it must be. I'm in my 50's, perfect weight and have never even had heartburn. If this doesn't improve soon, I am thinking of going to Mayo for a full evaluation. I can't live this way and I DO NOT want to be on medicine the rest of my life.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @phillygirl67 "Diagnosed with paraesophageal herniaThis is first post. I was diagnosed with 5 cm Hill grade 4-..." + (show)
@phillygirl67

<p>Diagnosed with paraesophageal hernia</p><p>This is first post. I was diagnosed with 5 cm Hill grade 4- esophagus wide open with an endoscopy a few months ago. I live in eastern CT and was told by my primary care physician to go to a thoracic surgeon. I have hadGERD for yrs and have been on every prescription PPI there is since 2010 , but my blood work came back with a hemoglobin of 5. 2 blood transfusions later it is 12. I haven't even started any other tests. I did not like the GI department that I started with (small local hospital). 2weeks ago I started vomitting every time I ate small bites of food and drank normal amount of water. I have dropped so much weight that nothing fits (6 dress sizes). The biggest problem is finding a surgeon. The first 6 calls offered nothing until Dec. or Jan. I finally contacted chief of thoracic surgery. They didn't give me a date but connected me with Dr's PA. last week. She promised an appointment in 7-14 days so my fingers are crossed. Any information from a PEH patient or a relative of one would help. Thanks for reading. Have a safe holiday.</p>

Jump to this post

Hi @phillygirl67, a paraesophageal hernia can also be referred to as a hiatal hernia. For that reason, I moved your messages to this existing, active discussion where you can connect with many members.

- Hiatal Hernia. What helps?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hiatal-hernia-what-helps-surgery-or-no/
Also see these additional hiatal hernia discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=Hiatal+Hernia

Welcome!

REPLY
1 reply
phillygirl67 | @phillygirl67 | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @phillygirl67, a paraesophageal hernia can also be referred to as a hiatal hernia. For that..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @phillygirl67, a paraesophageal hernia can also be referred to as a hiatal hernia. For that reason, I moved your messages to this existing, active discussion where you can connect with many members.

- Hiatal Hernia. What helps?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hiatal-hernia-what-helps-surgery-or-no/
Also see these additional hiatal hernia discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=Hiatal+Hernia

Welcome!

Jump to this post

Thanks so much! I have been feeling that no one else was dealing with PEH!

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kra0060 | @kra0060 | 2 days ago
In reply to @betterb4 "May I ask what age this all started with you?" + (show)
@betterb4

May I ask what age this all started with you?

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Mine started in high school

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rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | 1 day ago

I am not sure how they can identify a hiatal hernia without doing an upper GI.

I would ask for a referral to gastroenterologist and get a full evaluation.

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shelk6 | @shelk6 | 20 hours ago

My hiatal hernia discovery started with a colonoscopy followed by a CT scan. My stomach is literally pressing on my left lung causing it to only work at 40%. I saw a surgeon at Anschutz, Colorado and he said it would be very risky to try to fix it and I should consider living with the way it is. I've had breast cancer so skin on the right side is not so good and the surgeon said if he fixed the hernia it probably wouldn't stay that way. So far I don't have issues with gerd or heartburn. I'm now on oxygen 24/7.

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kanorton | @kanorton | 14 hours ago

I also have a small hiatal hernia that my gastroenterologist says is no big deal and I shouldn’t have any pain from it. I had colon surgery in August from diverticulitis. I still have the same pain and no one knows what it is. After countless CT scans. I’d go to the Mayo Clinic but I’m on Medicare Advantage and they don’t take that. Very frustrated with this issue. I hope you get the help you need.

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1 reply
brainfog1 | @brainfog1 | 14 hours ago
In reply to @kanorton "I also have a small hiatal hernia that my gastroenterologist says is no big deal and..." + (show)
@kanorton

I also have a small hiatal hernia that my gastroenterologist says is no big deal and I shouldn’t have any pain from it. I had colon surgery in August from diverticulitis. I still have the same pain and no one knows what it is. After countless CT scans. I’d go to the Mayo Clinic but I’m on Medicare Advantage and they don’t take that. Very frustrated with this issue. I hope you get the help you need.

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I was put on a strong prescription antacid and it cleared up after 3 months

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1 reply
kanorton | @kanorton | 13 hours ago
In reply to @brainfog1 "I was put on a strong prescription antacid and it cleared up after 3 months" + (show)
@brainfog1

I was put on a strong prescription antacid and it cleared up after 3 months

Jump to this post

I’ve been on prescription antacids for years and hasn’t helped. I’m glad it worked for you though. ❤️

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beachnana | @beachnana | 4 hours ago

I would get a second opinion. Mine is quite big & I don’t have as much issue as you are having.

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