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Hiatal Hernia. What helps?
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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After reading some of the responses, I now have a couple comments. Some of this also sounds like Acid Reflux, so carefully watch your acid. One person suggested lemon---NO!! Anything citrus is acidy. Try to keep them to a minimum (I know it's really hard for me, I love citrus!). In conversation recently with my gastro doc, I was trying to get off of, or lessen my reflux meds. I was using Acifex (which worked great) but was concerned about the recent studies and side effects. He told me side effects aren't as bad as people think - don't get caught up in what you see in the media! Talk to your doctors! I'm now on a lower dose acid reducer, but I don't think it's as good as the aciphex. Also remember that quality of life is important as well. Good luck!
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1 ReactionThank you for your kind response. Yes, I have been diagnosed with Gerd and have changed my diet. Giving up what little I did that was bad 😉 I bought a cookbook and we are going to try the 2 week acid cleanse kick off. Taking my meds and doing everything I can to get healthy and cured.
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1 ReactionDo you need a referral to go to Mayo Clinic in Rodchester?
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1 ReactionI am now following a low acid diet. (wasn't much I had to give up as I pretty much have always eaten a low acid diet) I am diagnosed with GERD and a small hiatal hernia. The confusing part for me is how suddenly this happened. I haven't ever had any heartburn except a few bouts when I was pregnant more than 25 years ago. How can it be so sudden? and severe? This makes me think the hernia caused it whereas my doctor thinks it's only contributing. The Prilosec doesn't seem to be helping much. Zantac helps a little.
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1 ReactionMayo Clinic does not require you to have a referral to come to them. With that said, some insurance plans do, so you'll want to be sure to check.
Interestingly, I never had heartburn until I was pregnant, too. It went away for about two years after I had my youngest, and then the GERD started constantly all of a sudden and stayed. I know that my GERD and hernia were caused by my sphincter ceasing to function. I'm not sure if there are other causes. At least you know that Zantac works a little better than Prilosec for you. You might want to keep a journal of which foods are better or worse for you, and this way you can keep track of symptoms to see if they worsen over time.
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1 ReactionHello @betterb4. As @kdubois mentioned, you do not need to be referred to Mayo Clinic unless your insurance requires it. You can find all of that information by going here and going through the appointment process, http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.
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1 ReactionJust ran across some interesting information on using melatonin to treat GERD. Would like to know what the medical profession thinks of this.
There is a lot of information out there, this is one study I ran across: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2821302/
@betterb4, interesting... I've never heard of melatonin to treat GERD. @JustinMcClanahan, do you have any insight on this?
@kanaazpereira may be better suited to have some insight on this question. Kanaaz, in your experience with GI, have you heard anything about melatonin and GERD?