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Anyone have a hiatal hernia that leaned on your lungs?
Digestive Health | Last Active: Nov 19 2:19pm | Replies (29)Comment receiving replies
Well, I was just diagnosed with a hiatal hernia after having an endoscopy for suspected Barrett’s esophagus which they said I don’t have. I believe that I have had this hiatal hernia for a good 10+ years… I diagnosed myself years ago and kept asking different G.I. doctors and everybody said no. I get cramps under my breast and every doctor said it’s intercostal muscles… Turns out it’s the hernia. I am so frustrated with the medical world. This diagnosis is explaining so many things now. I just thought I was getting a fat stomach because it’s always distended even when I eat small amounts of healthy food. And I’ve been in denial about the fact that it’s making me short of breath and my chest tight all the time. And everything I read said it also could be the cause of the heart arrhythmia I now have. since the diagnosis, I am so conscious of all the ways that it’s affecting my body and making me super uncomfortable… I thought a lot of the symptoms were something else, something that I could get rid of or control by eating better or exercising more.
I am just so angry at the medical people… The conventional medical people. It’s very upsetting and scary! I I feel like I don’t really have any help with this from the medical people… Very happy to have found this group so I don’t feel so alone.
I also have a very severe surgery phobia from a surgery I had when I was young, which gave me PTSD so I really don’t know what to do anymore. My heart goes out to all the rest of you dealing with this horrible condition. Appreciate any spiritual voodoo anybody wants to send my way. I’m beside myself with anger and fear. Thanks for listening to my long share!
Replies to "Well, I was just diagnosed with a hiatal hernia after having an endoscopy for suspected Barrett’s..."
Hi @lacazadora, I am glad you have found Connect as well. You mention ruling out Barrett’s and that sounds like a win! You also said testing has confirmed having a hiatal hernia, and this diagnosis is explaining so many things. This has to provide some long awaited comfort for you. I hope you can sit with this feeling a bit.
I have had conflicting guidance from providers. One cardiologist told me, “ask two cardiologists the same question and you will always get two different answers”. I suppose that makes sense considering the practice of medicine is not an exact science. My previous doctors were each attentive and took charge of my care…until I had problems and then sent me in circles. I felt like a hot potato. If I understand you correctly, hearing nothing is wrong is way worse than if you would have just heard, “I don’t know”. I have had times I took what I was told and moved on accordingly, only to find out that original information got me way off track.
I am interested to hear what you learn so I hope you will come back and comment. Have you had a chance to discuss your endoscopy findings with the doctor who ordered it? What is next?
@lacazadora
I too am suffering from chest pain and burping when standing exercise. I believe my diaphragm and lungs are being compressed by stomach gas. Now I need to convince my gastroenterologist to test further. Thanks for your post.
Hello there! Firstly, not a long share. As for being "paranoid" about surgery: not foolish, rather wise. Literature states that the "aging brain" does not totally recover from general anesthesia. I am the anti-paranoid type of person and I'd be hard pressed to go under. As for twilight anesthesia, no problema. Laparoscopy may be available for certain surgeries and by certain surgeons. I have been battling a severely distended bloated stomach for 2 years now. It is awful. 6 G.I docs later, I have a a large box full of Rx's and non Rx's tried and discarded because either did not work or side effects were too severe. I have had every test and procedure done imaginable. Recently, a 24 hour urine test lab result yielded bad prostaglandin levels. So I am proceeding with starting Chromolyn and thinking about some other OTC inflammation reducers. I cannot eat like I used to. Too many cramps if I stray. I keep simethecone handy. I also deal with constipation so it is a nasty battle and balancing act.
There are a lot of us, in varying capacities, out there. It takes time for these G.I. docs to think outside the box. I circled back to my 1st G I. doc and was pleasantly surprised after 2 years he has done so. That is how he agreed wirh me about treatment for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Also, those of us who caught COVID, may be suffering from long-COVID symptoms. Literature is now starting to report the staggering numbers of G.I. disturbances from long-COVID.
My latest upper esophageal manometry revealed a "small" hernia. Hmmmm. I'm gonna see how things go with Chromolyn first, and then maybe revisit the hernia thing. This doc is also going to write an Rx for me of low dose Naltrexone (LDN). The literature has some hopeful results for G.I. bloat, etc. with this drug. We shall see..........
Best of luck to you. Keep posting any new developments!
Cheers,
Beth
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@lacazadora thank you so much for the hug!😍