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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Profile picture for betterb4 @betterb4

May I ask what age this all started with you?

Jump to this post

Mine started in high school

REPLY

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.

REPLY

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.

REPLY

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.

REPLY
Profile picture for kanorton @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.

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
Profile picture for brainfog1 @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. ❤️

REPLY

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

REPLY
Profile picture for beachnana @beachnana

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

Jump to this post

I have been thinking about getting a second opinion. Thank you.
I love your screen name. I’m a Nana and love the beach. ❤️

REPLY

Hi! I really feel for you, I can hear how worried you are. I have a type 1 early hiatal hernia, but my mother has a severe one. Occasionally, they have to go in there and stretch it and she’s gotten food, stuck in her throat and not been able to breathe before. Very scary. The first thing I wanted to caution you about is that she was on Prilosec or omeprazole for years and unfortunately, the warning that omeprazole can increase the risk of osteoarthritis (OA) came true for her. So definitely talk to your doctor about how to avoid that.

Because of her experience, I do not take omeprazole. Instead, what I do is, I’ve identified my food triggers and avoid them, for me, largely spicy or fatty foods, and I never over eat. I follow the Japanese principle of eating to 80% and then stopping. I always stay completely upright while I’m eating my food and for as long as I can afterwards while I’m digesting, which for me unfortunately takes a little bit longer because I have a mild gastroparesis. I never eat and go right to bed that’s a huge no-no, even if it’s a bite of food! And smaller more regular meals throughout the day seems to help as well, so I have breakfast, lunch, early dinner, and then a snack at least 3-4 hours before I go to bed. I no longer use alcohol or nicotine as well, and even for my half-caffeine coffee in the morning, and make sure that I have it with a bite of food so it doesn’t hurt my stomach as much. Also adding anti-inflammatory spices or herbs like turmeric or cinnamon to your coffee grounds in the basket can help a little bit.

I can’t think of anything else, but if I do, I’ll comment here. I wish you the best of luck!

REPLY

We are in the same boat! I am also in my early 50’s, suddenly started having GERD symptoms, and was diagnosed with a small hiatal hernia. My doctor has prescribed morning and evening meds. I have had to totally change my diet. No alcohol, no caffeine, nothing acidic at all. I had to learn a whole new way of cooking and eating. Eating out is limited to Sushi, which I seem to tolerate. It is very frustrating … my doctor just kept prescribing more medications to fix the side effects from the original medications… not good. I am also in the process of getting a second opinion. Keep us updated on your progress. Maybe we can learn from each other!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.