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Hiatal Hernia. What helps?

Posted by betterb4 @betterb4, Feb 13, 2017

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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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @phillygirl67 "Diagnosed with paraesophageal herniaThis is first post. I was diagnosed with 5 cm Hill grade 4-..." + (show)
@phillygirl67

<p>Diagnosed with paraesophageal hernia</p><p>This is first post. I was diagnosed with 5 cm Hill grade 4- esophagus wide open with an endoscopy a few months ago. I live in eastern CT and was told by my primary care physician to go to a thoracic surgeon. I have hadGERD for yrs and have been on every prescription PPI there is since 2010 , but my blood work came back with a hemoglobin of 5. 2 blood transfusions later it is 12. I haven't even started any other tests. I did not like the GI department that I started with (small local hospital). 2weeks ago I started vomitting every time I ate small bites of food and drank normal amount of water. I have dropped so much weight that nothing fits (6 dress sizes). The biggest problem is finding a surgeon. The first 6 calls offered nothing until Dec. or Jan. I finally contacted chief of thoracic surgery. They didn't give me a date but connected me with Dr's PA. last week. She promised an appointment in 7-14 days so my fingers are crossed. Any information from a PEH patient or a relative of one would help. Thanks for reading. Have a safe holiday.</p>

Jump to this post

Hi @phillygirl67, a paraesophageal hernia can also be referred to as a hiatal hernia. For that reason, I moved your messages to this existing, active discussion where you can connect with many members.

- Hiatal Hernia. What helps?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hiatal-hernia-what-helps-surgery-or-no/

Also see these additional hiatal hernia discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=Hiatal+Hernia

Welcome!

REPLY
1 reply
phillygirl67 | @phillygirl67 | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @phillygirl67, a paraesophageal hernia can also be referred to as a hiatal hernia. For that..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @phillygirl67, a paraesophageal hernia can also be referred to as a hiatal hernia. For that reason, I moved your messages to this existing, active discussion where you can connect with many members.

- Hiatal Hernia. What helps?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hiatal-hernia-what-helps-surgery-or-no/

Also see these additional hiatal hernia discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=Hiatal+Hernia

Welcome!

Jump to this post

Thanks so much! I have been feeling that no one else was dealing with PEH!

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