Hiatal Hernia Question

trec2000

I have been living with a hiatal hernia for over 20 years and can tell you from experience that they can produce a variety of different pains. Middle of the chest, arms, shoulder and even upper back pain. I have had probably ten EKG's and three stress tests since my pain started any everyone has been good. Best advice I can give you is to watch what your eat/drink and talk to your doctor about a PPI, Nexium helped me for a long time. I am finally going for surgery to have my hernia fixed this week.

Mstic1

Hi Rachelle,

I too am dealing with the pain of a hiatal hernia

My primary care doctor had me do a barium swallow test in Dec 05 and they told me I have one. She told me not to worry about it and really didn't explain to me what it was. I got all my information on it off the internet.

Well this past Christmas I started having some pain in the "upper epigastric" region and on my left side. I saw my primary care doctor again in early January and she told me it was "just heartburn" and gave me some protinix samples. A few weeks later I asked by husband to take me to the ER because it felt like I was having a heart attack. They did an EKG which was fine and blood test which were also fine. They sent me home with a prescription for Sulcrafate which is some type of stomach coating medicine. I've been taking that 4 times a day and it is helping a bit.

I made a follow up appointment with my gastro doctor and he told me it might be my gallbladder of all things. I had an abdominal ultrasound yesterday and even thought the tech isn't suppose to tell you anything, she said that my gallbladder looked fine.

So now I am back to square one. I did get a prescription today for Donnatal which is suppose to be good for IBS...but no one seems to be taking my hiatal hernia symptoms seriously.

My gastro doctor wants to do an endoscopy on March 3rd so well see what he says.

Have you found anything that makes it feel better? If so...please let me know.

Take Care

JB327

YES... I "had" a hiatal hernia and let me tell you, the pain was random, no particular triggers but when it came on, it felt awful.. I had it repaired during my Nissen Fundoplication, and now the wrap and scar tissue feel just as bad as the hernia!..

I had cardio work-ups that turned out fine, but it's always good to check with a doctor though when you think there may be more to it..

Izmik

I too have the hiatal hernia problem uugghhh. I hate it.
The last specialist I seen told me that reflux caused by hiatal hernia and severe esophagitis can mimic other things and it doesnt matter how many tests you have they will come up normal.

Lol I am queen of the ultrasound machine and everything is normal. Apart from the hernia and esophagitis of course. Along with the stricture. At the moment I have a pain right in the middle of my breasts radiating to my back shoulder and arm. I seem to be good for awhile and then have a bout of this pain. It makes you down when your in pain as you tend to worry more.

Izmik

johnson1111

does anyone have sorta belching attacks or heart palp along with this?

JB327

Belching was definately a HUGE problem for me pre-surgery.. I had the biggest and longest burps and for no reason.. Palpitations occurred and occur in me still, so I don't believe [the palps] are related to the hernia..

hessie28

I just found out I have a small hiatal hernia. I don't even know what it is. Have to go research it. It is not contributing to my pain and stomach problems the dr. tells me. I do get palpitations. I always contributed them to all the meds I take. Who knows though.

JB327

Hiatal Hernia is basically where the Esophagus gets pinched off or "herniated" through the diaphragm..

Izmik

Belching is a huge problem for me too. But not always. I was doing them so often I forgot my manners sometimes ha. My son in law said I would make his football team proud I did them that loud, and my mother said they sounded like they were coming all the way from my feet. It's not like normal belching or burping. I think mine is worse when my reflux is worse. And yes the chest pains are there too. But once you know what they are its not so scary as it is the first time it happens to you.

I can feel quite normal for a few months like nothing is even there. Then out of the blue I can wake up one morning and its all on. The Doc asked me did I think it was from certain food ? Did I think it was too much fat ? I dont have a clue what. They do say tho that hernia's are not meant to cause pain. Who knows. I chose not to have the Nissan Fundo because I have heard sometimes it can be worse than before.