Anyone who has a Sliding Hietias Hernia??, please read this and tell me i'm not mad!!!!

Wow...

I have a sliding hiatus hernia... I have done for 7 years.

I get that feeling under my ribs too!!! I had never really connected it until you said that! But I do, it's like a big air bubble between your ribs and your lungs! I even hit it and try to breath in loads to try getting rid of it, like it will pop it or something.

I don't get it all that often, I get everything else all the time though, your not alone! I am going in for surgery soon for my hernia... I will let you know how that goes and if that stops it!

Christine xx

Hi Christine

I have a sliding Hiatus Hernia too and would be interested in what surgery you are having - I didnt realise that they could do an operation for a sliding hernia. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Barnie.

I don't know anything about it yet. I can't find much information. Its driving me insane not knowing. My pre op appointment is next week so will let you know. All the information I can find relays to the same surgery. There's 2 technique I have found but I have no idea if they are for sliding hernias. Ill tell you when I know more.

Take care.

Christine. X

Thanks Christine - good luck and I hope that you find something that will help you - do you have Barretts as well?

Many thanks

Barnie

Barnie,

I have looked more since my last message. I don't know the procedure but I have found a lot of others having surgery on sliding hernias.

They have not mentioned me having it but for the acid I get. Problems eating and choking on my food it sounds like it's possible. The Nhs are not very good at helping though.

Hugs.

Christine. X

I would imagine if you have had an endescopy that they would have told you that you had it as they like to check every couple of years or so to make sure that it has not turned nasty (the Barretts). However, they can laser the Barretts now and pretty much get rid of it 100 per cent but due to costs they only do this when/if it reaches a critical stage. So, I would not think that you have Barretts.

I look forward to your update and any info you find out i.e. what sort of op they intend to give you.

Good luck and take care and I look forward to hearing from you.

Barnie

Hi Christine, I would be interested to hear how your surgery went?, I was not even offered a choice!, they have now told me it's not the hernia causing my pain, it's nerve damage!!!. The doctor basically admitted that they don't have a bloody clue!!!.

Barnie What symptoms do you have??

Lesley x

Thanks Barnie. Good to know.

Lesley,

They diagnosed me pretty quick after an ogd, they didn't give me the choice, after 7 years I had a fight with them and I pushed. If you insist they can't refuse here in the UK.

I have my pre op next week so hopefully won't be too long!

Will keep updates.

Take Care.

Christine x

Hi Lesley

I have all the general symptoms of a Sliding Hiatus Hernia - acid reflux, feeling nauseous, bloated - night times being the worst for me - I daren't go to bed too early!

If you mean symptoms for the Barretts then none as I hadn't a clue that I had it until it was seen with an Endescopy. Felt a bit shell shocked at being told that at the time.

Hope this helps

Barnie

Hi Christine

I too have a sliding hiatus hernia and am considering surgery as completely fed up now. Will be interested to hear how you get on.

Catherine

Hello

I have had problems with haitus hernia for about 7 years.

I have now had two ops - first one failed, but the repair seems to have worked. I still have to be careful with diet and would recommend trying the Ayuvedic approach after the operation has healed up.

It is major surgery, can be very painful, and is close to the heart and lungs. There is a high failure rate which is why they do not like to undertake surgery until they have exhausted the medication option. You need a good surgeon who is experienced in this kind surgery, and, explained exactly what it is all about beforehand. It is often necessary to prevent stomach cancer so surgeons who do this should be experienced at dealing with patients who have cancer as well.

It is not an easy operation and don't expect some kind of instant recovery - but if you need it then you have to have it done, as I did. I had terrible reflux and sickness and am still unable to eat certain foods which irritate the stomach anyway eg chips! Now if I am careful I can eat well. (I am vegetarian which really does help as meat is very difficult to digest and best avoided after the operation).

I hope it helps to know there is an operation available - but to be avoided if possible, by trying a really strict healthy diet - get referred to a dietician, and, try the medication first as the op is not a guarantee of instant fix.

You can manage this condition by trying different diets and sticking to a regime that suits you - we are all different so it need not ruin your life - but you have make the adjustments to your lifestyle ie give up beer which is not easy when everyone around you is off to the pub.

Hope all goes well with you all and you find a way of managing the condition.

Hi Sila1,

Thank you and others for your replys. I really don't want surgery, but my pain is like a constant stitch under my ribs, I can't wear anything like a bra as the pressure makes it worse, even a sports bra hurts.

I feel like cutting my stomach open!.

I have no clue what I should or should not eat, like you chips makes me bad, but then so does other foods, I barely eat these days, acid tablets makes me worse!

If any one has tips on diet and foods I would be grateful, the last specialist I saw said I had nerve damage and gave me medical patches to wear!!!, complete rubbish, makes no difference what so ever!!

How are you supposed to live your life like this, the Doctors say it's not the hernia giving me pain!!!, i'm at a total loss and desperate :-(

Hi Lesley

I know that pain. It could be a haitus hernia or an ulcer - have you had endoscopy down to see? It could also be something to do with colon or form of IBS. Nerve pain is generally some kind of chronic pain but not very helpful to know! Try the Ayurvedic diet but you have to like making curries - or - see a good homeopath/naturopath who will set you on a proper diet - chips/fat/too much sugar/fruit/potatoes/bread - almost anything can set it off and its all to do with balance in your diet eg do not eat fruit with dairy, including yoghurt. The NHS also have dieticians and you can refer yourself to the local service now - not as good but it depends on what you can afford really.

Doctors are good at diagnosing but do not always have cures that are non-surgical. Diets, with professional advice, can be cures for almost anything to do with these things - plus exercise - again yoga therapy clinics help with special exercises for different kinds of pain - now recognised by NHS, but not funded, although there are low cost options usually. Hope that helps. Just try it as the doctors may not be able to help and will simply send you to a surgeon which could make it worse - be careful with that. Go for self-management and you may be surprised just how much better you will feel. Has worked for me despite some continuing problems such as pain and reflux - keeps me going! xx

Thank you Sila1, thats really helpful, i will look up that diet as i love curries, and all those you have listed, i don't think will be difficult as i hate fruit and sugar, don't have Diary or bread, these days i do struggle on what to have!.

I could cope with the acid if the pain came and went, but the fact that its constant makes me get panic attacks even more and very down on life :-(

I have 3 children and work 2 jobs so i almost live with the pain, i find it hard to believe nerve damage would cause all this pain. I'll defo give the yoga therapy clinic a look at, thank you xx

Hi Lesley

Not able to help much I am afraid as although I have a sliding HH I thankfully do not suffer the pain you do but just wanted to wish you all the best in getting some answers. This must be awful for you as well as trying to look after your family and in that kind of pain.

Good luck and keep us posted