Have hiatal hernia and can't take medications: Suggestions?

@meziadin - fellow members such as @ken82 @brasileira @rashida @greta63 @parrotlady may have some input from their own experiences with hiatal hernia with the weight loss, yet a 6-month wait to see the doctor. They can speak to whether there is any help out there for this problem, including the pain and inability to eat much.

This works for me just great. Inhale through your stomach not your chest. Take a deep breath while pushing your stomach out as far as you can, exhale wnd do again several times. Thus pushed the hernia back where it belongs. Or you can use a prescription called pantoprazole. Hope this works,
, Let me know!

@zchristine72
Hello Christine, I am sorry that you and I are going through this. My symptoms are (but not limited too) intense chest pain, severe pain in the abdominal area, shortness of breath, belching so loud that if in public places it is embarrassingly noticeable, excessive gas, difficulties swallowing (I have choked so bad that I thought that I was literally dying). I have had severe vomiting and naseau that started over 18 years ago and most Doctors keep giving me medicines that do not work at all. One Physician only gave me Nexium (something that can be purchased over the counter) for several years. During Covid, my condition escalated and I vomited nearly everyday for a year and a half.

Gastroenterologists (who knew one another) both said that it was in my head due to stress but the medical tests and instruments do not lie. One of these two specialiast did not do any testing at all but only went by the notes that his peer had written. I made clear that this is not a second opinion.

In addition, I had ulcers at times, Hpylori bacteria several times and then finally three years ago, a hilial hernia diagnosis. After more than seven different Gastroenterologists and over an 18 year period, I got this diagnosis for the hernia. Sometimes I feel that my stomach is twisting. In my research I found that with the hilial hernia, the stomach can twist and strangle a person to death. However, the Doctors still downplay it and say just take these meds. This is why I say that surgery needs to take place soon (I could be wrong but I do not think so in my particular case) Sometime I am afraid to go back to sleep after episode because I may not wake up the next morning.

Finally, we have to be our own best advocate and fight for solutions because to most Doctors, we are only a number. When they minimize your symptoms, don't let them. It is good to hear that you are getting an endoscopy and Colonoscopy. There are other testing procedures that I underwent like the Ph bravo tests, Barium Swallow / Upper GI Series test, Esophageal Manometry. Once again, I was told to ignore my manometry score which was 16,000 points (normal is below 8,000).

I would ask specifically for the hilial hernia related tests. Also, if you are diagnosed with a hilial hernia, ask what level (there are four stages). If it is a three or four level, this is not good and surgery (in my opinion) may need to be considered especially if you are in stage four. I am now fighting to have my hilial hernia repaired but so far, no Doctor will do it. Hope that this helps. I do not want to see anyone get to critical symptoms like mine. The very best to you.

I have a hiatal hernia and chronic diarrhea but it’s not from the meds and I take the omaprozole only. I wonder if just the hernia itself could cause the diarrhea? No body can figure out what is causing the diarrhea and I’ve had every stool test the have done on me. It’s crazy. I’ll let you know if they come up with an answer for the diarrhea when I see the surgeon Tuesday. That’s the only Dr I haven’t seen yet!!!!!! Good luck. Keep me posted and I’ll do the same.
Michelle S

@meziadin ask your doctor for an h pylori test. Sometimes that could be a root cause more so than the hernia.

Sleep with the head of your bed elevated a few inches (upper legs or casters of your bed on bed risers). I stop eating and drinking about four hours before going to bed. When I get pains I take sips of water - just a few sips, not a gulp or two. Peppermint can exacerbate your condition as it tends to loosen the spincter between the stomach and esophagus, causing acid reflux which in turn causes chest pains. So I would avoid peppermint tea, candies, etc. Peppermint is good for stomach upsets - but not for stomach problems caused by a hiatal hernia. At least, that has been my experience.

@jputh9322 if Voquenza is helping you, I would stay away from surgery. My doctor told me at diagnosis that hernia repair can cause more problems and it is better to leave it alone, unless is is a very large hernia - which mine isn’t.

@rashida
I have had endoscopies, no H-Pylori. I am doing everything under the sun, herbally and physically and still have problems. I had some kind of inflammation in my stomach when I had my last endoscopy 6 months ago and I think it is still there. I just hope I get to see the gastroenterologist so he can determine if I still have an infection and what can be done about it. Sometimes, I'm ready to give up, I was in emergency all afternoon 2 days ago, they stabilized me and If I want to see a gastro doctor, I will have to travel 12 hours if I can even then get an appointment. I have tried everything herbally, have spent thousands of dollors on acupuncture and herbal doctors, nothing has helped. Our health care system is not great, a 6-8 month wait for an appointment? Too late for any help then.

@meziadin You are having a lot of trouble and really need to see an Gastroenterologist to discuss the findings of your Endoscopy.

@cardigan
I was told 6 months ago that I have some kind of inflammation in my stomach. Was given some meds but have not ever been re-checked. Still the same but won't get to see a gastro doctor for a few months yet. I'm struggling but managing, I'll have a few good days and then I'm ready to give up. Also I have coating and burning on my tongue, have had for months already, our healthcare doesn't really care about older people of which I am one of. Will just keep on trying, I have spent several thousand dollars on herbalists and acupuncture. Thank you for writing back.

@rashida
What is Voquenza? I never heard of this drug. What is it supposed to help with? I was only given pantoprazole and told to take pepcid AC several times a day if needed. I get major anxiety with these drugs, anything to do with my stomach causes this, I was told it is vegus nerve irritation. How does one deal with that?
I do breathing excercises when it hits but mostly, they don't help.