Are my breathing problems and Hiatus Hernia related?

Hi Leigh, I have to have another endoscopy.  I've decided to get it done privately so am just waiting for an appointment now.  I've a feeling I will need surgery, but we shall see.  I have a problem with every breath, not just when exercising so it will be interesting to see what is found.  Am dreading it after last time but I've got no option.  How long did it take for you to recuperate from the surgery?

Hi Gail - fingers crossed you get sorted via another route but if not and you are considering surgery privately research your surgeon before choosing. I was operated on 3 weeks ago and I am very pleased with the results so far. I had a lot of pain post surgery from the air being pumped in for the keyhole procedure. I was in hospital 3 days post surgery, would of been less but for a scare over a clot which thankfully was nothing. I have to wait 6 weeks before eating all types of food and returning to exercise. I can notice an improvement in my breathing but it has been bad for so long that it will take time to fully recover. The surgeon reckons 3 months for normality to return fully.

Please ensure they don't just do an endoscopy but a CT also. I was told I had a large hernia but no further treatment was required when I had an endoscopy in January but pushed hard for more tests and my CT revealed the true extent of the problem. If you can go private and can afford it I would recommend that too.

I played football with little issue with breathing but stairs and reading to my kids at bedtime was ridiculous so a HH is definitely a cause of breathlessness. 

Good luck and if you want a good surgeons name if it comes to that I would happily recommend mine. He was really good and post op when I had a scare at 12:30 on a Sunday night he was in the hospital within 20 minutes to run tests and make sure I was ok. The pain I have experienced post op has been surprisingly low which has to be thanks to him.

 

Hi Leigh, I had a CT done last year when they were trying to find the cause of the breathing problems and I know the consultant was going to have a look at that.  I may go private for the op if I need one, it will all depend on waiting times.  Your surgeon sounds really good.  My consultant comes across as really thorough.  He was telling me about a lady who had had Pneumonia three times, and when he met her he said he asked himself why she'd had it three times.  He looked at her scan and saw the reason straight away.  He got all the doctors together and showed then the scan and asked them what they saw.  They all said pneumonia.  What they didn't see (and he'd spotted it instantly), was that the whole of her stomach was in her chest cavity!  She'd been aspirating food and that had caused the pneumonia.  I'm due another CT in September as they found a nodule in my lung (incidental I've been told and not related to the breathing problems), but they have to monitor it.

Hi Leigh  I know your post is over a year old, but your symptoms are identical to mine.  My breathing problems started at the same time as my gastro problems and I think I may have a hernia.  I am awaiting results of CT scan and another endoscopy.  I have always thought the breathing could be to do with the hernia but my Doctors just keep telling me it is anxiety!  I am considering the surgery, but concerned about what surgeon is the best.  Would you be able to tell me what Surgeon you used, what part of the UK you are from please?  Not sure if you are returning to this forum but if you are, hoping you can answer some of my questions, also how are you now 12 months later many thanks.

Was the surgery worth it. I want my life back and I am considering having the surgery. I can't walk stairs, run, eat spicy food, talk to long or I'm out of breath, etc. It's overwhelming

Hi Gail, I was following this forum for few weeks now to check on your progress. I too was diagnosed of Hiatus Hernia last April when I had my Endoscopy. Since then I'm having problems with my breathing. 

Prior to the endoscopy procedure I've been sick for a month. I had tonsilitis, fever, cough and flu and my voice changed. Visited A&E twice and told me I had acute pneumonia. First 2 weeks I've been coughing and the last 2 weeks I've been vomiting after eating. I didn't even know what heartburn, acid reflux means until my friend mentioned that I'm suffering as such sickness. 

So I visited my family doctor and recommended to see gastro specialist and suggested to do endoscopy. The specialist prescribe me to take PPI for 2 weeks and said that there's no cure for my sickness and even told me that I can eat anything. I don't believe him so I took PPI and had my own acid reflux diet. I had problems breathing and feeling giddy, I was rushed to A&E again and admitted for a day. The doctors said that they found out I have anemia and suggested to inform the gastro specialist about it. 

The specialist had undergo colonoscopy and pelvic ultrasound and results are normal. Although my hemoglobin is at 10.1 which should be atleast 12. So he prescribed me to take iron supplements. When I took the supplements I felt like I'm having palpitations so I go back to a family doctor and gave me a different brand of iron supplement and referred me to see cardiologist. 

The cardiologist had me take another blood test, 2d echo and holter monitor. He said that it's just stress. I should eat healthy diet. Eat more meat and continue taking PPI. The results of my test seems to be all normal except for my hemoglobin. It is now 10.4 but still low and suggested to continue taking iron supplements. 

I went back to the gastro specialist after a month of colonoscopy to check my hemoglobin. It seems my hemoglobin went back to 10.1. The doctor said that it is not that low just keep taking iron supplement. Looks like that's the end of him seeing me. So I told to recommend me to see gynecologist. 

After 4 days I visited the gyne doctor, had a pap smear and blood test again. after 2 weeks to get the results, my hemoglobin sky rocketed to 11.6 which I didn't know why I got such, pap smear seems to be ok. 

Until now, once in a while I'm having breathing problems. I stopped taking PPI after a month. I tried everything I read on the internet. I don't know what else to do. The only thing I haven't checked are my lungs. Do you think I need to see a respiratory doctor to have my lungs check? Or should I look for another gastro doctor for second opinion?

 

Hi, looks like you've been through the mill like me, and passed from pillar to post.  When my hernia was diagnosed years ago they put me on Omeprazole (PPI) and until last year it controlled things brilliantly.  It still must be doing part of it's job otherwise I would be a LOT worse than I am.   Last year I went down the heart route first as I have SVT, then the lung as the only problem I had then was with my breathing,  When I was told it was down to de-conditioning I set about losing weight and getting fit because I KNEW he was wrong in his diagnosis.  That only left my hernia.  It's difficult for me to know what to advise regarding respiratory or gastro.  I was told I would be on Omeprazole for life as my Cardia Valve (LOS) doesn't work.  I was told they couldn't do anything as it couldn't be repaired.  THAT WAS A BLOODY LIE!!!  Having said that they wouldn't have done the op at the time as medication was totally controlling my symptoms.  You're not put through an hiatus hernia op unless you really need it.  I'm glad your breathing is not as bad as it was.  It might be worth getting your lungs checked, but it might also be worth getting a second opinion from another gastro.  Not related, but I had pains and went to see a consultant.  He said we know you've got gallstones but the pain is coming from your hernia.  I said no it;s not, it's a different pain altogether.  I know it;s gallstones.  he insisted it wasn't.  Got a second opnion and straight away he said it IS your gallbladder and it needs taking out!  So as I have found (more than once) consultants can be wrong!  Hopefully you will get to the bottom of it.  If the breathing then maybe try the gastro first.  Did the PPI's work when you took them?

Hi Gail 

I'm still following this  

Who's doing the lynx for you ? 

What's the date ?

Best wishes for the op 

Hope all goes well for you

please keep us updated 

I'm also considering the lynx 

Thanks John 

Hi John, My op was pencilled in for the 22nd of August, but as of last week I was 50th on the list for the ph and manometry test!  I've been told they get down the list fairly quickly and they think the tests will be around the third week in August. I suppose it's possible I might still get the 22nd but if not I'm looking at either the first or last week in September.  Simon Dexter is my surgeon.  I should get a date through shortly for the tests as they say they give plenty of notice.  Thanks for the best wishes.  Gail.