Hiatal Hernia

I just had a nissen fundaplication. I haven't felt this good in 14 years. Depending on the size of your hiatal hernia, you might need to raise your bed to a 30 degree angle to sleep. I can now sleep flat and have had no issues. The trade off for me is easy. No straws, no carbonated drinks (I haven't had any for 9 years) small meals , soft food, chew well. Drink after each bite. If I do eat bread dunk it in a liquid. My esophagus is weak and doesn't push food down like it should. Dr Edwards Jax Mayo is the best and made this as easy as possible. I suggest you use him.

If you have a large hiatal hernia, it would be best to have it repaired.

They told me about the straws. I was about 3 months post surgery and seriously thought I was having a heart attack. I spoke to them and then told me it was air built up. I learned my lesson from that one. The only thing I didn’t know was not being able to throw up.

@cantbelievethis @ch47 I have been living with a hiatal hernia for several years. Doctors have told me that the hernia repair surgery can cause more problems and to avoid it. Hiatal hernias can cause acid reflux (GERD) and acid reflux can irritate the esophagus to the point you can get chest pains that feel like a heart attack.

I have been taking one 30mg. Prevacid capsule at bed time, and I have the top of my bed raised on risers (available on Amazon, bedding stores, etc.) and that has helped with the reflux. In addition, I stop eating and drinking around 8:00 p.m. or no later than 9:00 p.m., no matter how late I get to bed. Small meals help too, but I eat two meals a day - a sort of brunch around 1:00 p.m. and regular dinner around 7:00 p.m. - and have fruits and snacks between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. if I feel hungry.

PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) like Prevacid, Nexium, etc. are frowned upon, but for me they have been a necessary evil because acid reflux can eventually cause Barrett’s Syndrome which if left unchecked can lead to esophageal cancer (my father died of esophageal cancer). I would rather take the risk of PPIs than esophageal cancer.

This is just my experience with GERD, and what has helped me.

They told me about the straws. I was about 3 months post surgery and seriously thought I was having a heart attack. I spoke to them and then told me it was air built up. I learned my lesson from that one. The only thing I didn’t know was not being able to throw up.

@cantbelievethis @ch47 I have been living with a hiatal hernia for several years. Doctors have told me that the hernia repair surgery can cause more problems and to avoid it. Hiatal hernias can cause acid reflux (GERD) and acid reflux can irritate the esophagus to the point you can get chest pains that feel like a heart attack.

I have been taking one 30mg. Prevacid capsule at bed time, and I have the top of my bed raised on risers (available on Amazon, bedding stores, etc.) and that has helped with the reflux. In addition, I stop eating and drinking around 8:00 p.m. or no later than 9:00 p.m., no matter how late I get to bed. Small meals help too, but I eat two meals a day - a sort of brunch around 1:00 p.m. and regular dinner around 7:00 p.m. - and have fruits and snacks between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. if I feel hungry.

PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) like Prevacid, Nexium, etc. are frowned upon, but for me they have been a necessary evil because acid reflux can eventually cause Barrett’s Syndrome which if left unchecked can lead to esophageal cancer (my father died of esophageal cancer). I would rather take the risk of PPIs than esophageal cancer.

This is just my experience with GERD, and what has helped me.

I did what you have done for 14 years. I had to stop eating at 5. However, the hiatal hernia got bigger. I have all of what you mentioned plus a Schottky ring, an ulcer from time to time. Do you know a hiatal hernia is part of your stomach that has come out and is on your esophagus. I took 2 omeprazole each day 1/morning and 1/night. Tums in between if need be. During the years of dealing with this, I had to have a couple of radio active ablations to burn off the dysplasia , more endoscopy's than I care to remember. However, my most recent blood test showed my creatine had raised above normal. When I studied counter effects of omeprazole I found that it can effect the kidneys in addition to bone loss. So for me no more medicine, sleep flat and follow the diet given to me. Hope this helps if any one needs it.

@stoclady I am surprised your hernia got bigger even though you thought you were doing everything right. Does your gastroenterologist know why this happened? Your condition sounds a lot worse than mine.

I only take one 30 mg. Lansoprazole (generic Prevacid) capsule, at bed time, and if I didn’t do that or have the head of my bed raised, I would be in a lot more pain and discomfort, not to mention having the acid reflux irritating my esophagus and eventually causing Barrett’s Syndrome. I don’t want to get to that stage so I will continue taking the Lanzoprazole at bedtime. I was prescribed it twice a day, but I found that upset my stomach so I switched to taking it just once a day, at bedtime and have had no more problems. I cannot sleep flat in bed. I have to have the top of my bed raised.

@stoclady I am surprised your hernia got bigger even though you thought you were doing everything right. Does your gastroenterologist know why this happened? Your condition sounds a lot worse than mine.

I only take one 30 mg. Lansoprazole (generic Prevacid) capsule, at bed time, and if I didn’t do that or have the head of my bed raised, I would be in a lot more pain and discomfort, not to mention having the acid reflux irritating my esophagus and eventually causing Barrett’s Syndrome. I don’t want to get to that stage so I will continue taking the Lanzoprazole at bedtime. I was prescribed it twice a day, but I found that upset my stomach so I switched to taking it just once a day, at bedtime and have had no more problems. I cannot sleep flat in bed. I have to have the top of my bed raised.

How did you raise the bed? I bought a wedge pillow but continues to give me a backache which I have never had. Thinking about purchasing a sleep number bed even though my mattress is only 3 years old.
Suggestions!

@candidough47 I have bed risers under the two casters/legs of the bedframe at the head of the bed. You can buy bed risers on Amazon or any store that sells bedding, but Amazon would be your best bet. The bed risers come in a pack of four, one for each caster/leg of the bed frame, but you need to use just two at the head of the bed.

Downside is I keep sliding down the bed during the night because of the slant and have to keep shuffling back to the top of the bed, lol, but after a while you get used to it. Small price to pay for relief from reflux, though.

Sometimes I get chest pains from acid reflux any time of day or night, and when I do, I take a few sips of water and the pain is relieved. The pain can recur multiple times after the first episode, but I keep a bottle of water with me at all times, and just take sips.