Hiatal Hernia - Hernia Message Board

MISTYMAID59 · 12-12-2005, 08:03 AM

i was diagnosed some years back witha sliding hiatal hernia. it has never given me any problems, but lately have had bad reflux and some shortness of breath . saw gastro dco 3 weeks ago, he put me on prevacid 30ml at bedtime.it has helped the reflux a lot. when i asked him about surgery for my hernia he said that surgery is not done very often and with hiatal hernias, surgery is a last resort. i go back to him in feb for a endoscope ( to look around and see whats going on) so he says, what happens if the hernia goes from a slider into the paraesphageal kind? do docs still take a "wait and see" approach? any info would be a big help? and what are the symptoms if this hernia becomes twisted or such? i am very nervous that i was given the attitude that a hiatal hernia is no big deal, just something i have to live with!

WannaBeFreeToRoam · 12-12-2005, 11:28 PM

Hi Misty,

I am under the impression that Hiatal Hernias are usually only treated by medicines and posture and food. I have a hiatal hernia and I can sometime feel it when it moves. It is what causes stomach acids to back up into my esophagus. My esophagus is damaged because of this and other reasons.

I take Nexium in the morning - 1 hr. before eating or drinking. It works well, except when I eat too much acidic food, chocolate, heavy beef and fatty foods. Also when I drink to much caffeine and have too much stress! In those times, I can take up to 4 Pepcid Completes and 1 Zantac. I have taken Sucrafate (covers the stomach) and other meds too.

I have never heard of a hiatal hernia becoming twisted or becoming paraesophageal, what is that? I just know that mine is there and if I sit up straight after I eat, it does better and for sure not to go to bed til at least 2 - 3 hours after eating.

Take care. Try not to stress too hard, that will just make it worse. Be sure and have your endoscopy done. That is good, to show if it is getting better or worse and if you have any other gastric changes.

Wannabe