Anyone have a hiatal hernia that leaned on your lungs?

@yooper1949 hope you breathe easier as time goes on…what does your doc say ?

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!

First, wishing you some real relief…this particular situation seems to be harder to diagnose for some reason…a friend went through many docs and finally had the surgery and her breathing now is totally recovered…. One problem is letting this continue without a solution…breathing is life ! Best of luck to you !

@cardigan Thanks-I heard this exercise for other things too…will double-check it with my excellent osteopath.

@jer22 I'm a yooper from the U.P. of Michigan. Mayo's did the sniff test on me. That is the final test that showed paralyzed diaphragm. Had breathing tests also that weren't good. I'm 76, I try and be as active as I can. No hernia.

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!

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?

@SusanEllen66 hi, yes, an nyc musician…in the classical field, mostly chamber music and chamber orchestra, with some amazing players. nyc a great place for musicians of all kinds ! maybe we know some people in common ?