Could a hiatus hernia or reflux be causing persistent nausea and abdominal pain?
Posted , 7 users are following.
I have had abdominal pain, heartburn, acidity in the throat and nausea for 3 months. The abdominal pain extends from just below the breast bone down to my navel. It isn't a cramp, but feels like someone has punched me and it is this sensation that causes me to feel constantly nauseous.
Following a gastroscopy I was found to have a small hiatus hernia. I understand these themselves don't usually (except in extreme circumstances) cause any symptoms but can cause or exacerbate reflux. PPIs and H2 blockers for acid suppression have reduced the heartburn and acidity in the throat, but they have not helped the stomach pain and nausea, which are the most debilitating symptoms. Likewise, diet and food consumption does not affect these persistent symptoms.
Is it possible that the physical reflux motion or the hernia itself are causing these persistent symptoms?
0 likes, 9 replies
norma04599 thomas61316
Posted
did they test for Coeliac disease when they did the test? This can cause a range of symptoms. Otherwise it could be heartburn
thomas61316 norma04599
Posted
Hi Norma. Yes, I tested negative for coeliac and also followed a gluten free diet for a few weeks.
norma04599 thomas61316
Posted
Were you gluten free for the weeks before the test? If so it would/could have let to a false negative
kate65092 thomas61316
Posted
hi Thomas
i too have a small hernia and bad reflux, likewise my doctor says the hernia is too small to be the cause, i am really suffering for past few weeks and ppi dont help much .i have burning in stomach and chest and total abdominal discomfort to point it stops me sleeping. if your symptoms are new did something happen to bring them on like a shock or trauma, i know with me it did, but msybe the hernia makes things worse. what dosage of ppi are you taking?
thomas61316 kate65092
Posted
Hi Kate,
That's really interesting, thanks for sharing. My symptoms came on after a prolonged period of frequent panic attacks and a traumatic event.
Yes, from what I've read a hernia can exacerbate reflux. I'm currently on 30mg Lansaproazole (PPI) a day and 300mg Ranitidine (H2 blocker), but i did take 60mg of thr PPI for a time, without any relief.
Can I ask what your abdominal discomfort feels like?
kate65092 thomas61316
Posted
hi Thomas
at moment its really bad, i have sore aching stomach with pain going under my ribd on both sides and around my back, burning in my upper chest on and off, a general feeling of discomfort all over, im taking 20 mg of omeprezole morning and night, 150 mg ranitidine twice during day when symptoms are really bad, to be honest im getting very little relief, wish i cud find a cure and get off these horrible ppis.
garry12333 kate65092
Posted
Hi I get a lot of pain each side just under the ribs also get nagging pain in the centre with boating and wanting burp & like indigestion up the middle do u or anyone else get a sharp pain in the centre of there back after being bent over or arching the back for a few minutes
natalie83867 kate65092
Posted
hiya, im having exactly the same symptoms as you . was diagnosed with Barrats Oesophagus a few years ago brought on by acid reflux and am on omeprazole once a day. the last two weeks have been very uncomfortable and im convinced its something a little more serious based on my symptoms nut am terrified of going to the doctors. hopefully it will settle down again.
moon53540 thomas61316
Posted
I too have a hiatus hernia and sometimes my stomach feels really weird in the center beneath my ribs. It used to feel like a hard ball and it can feel really raw and like a weird wet feeling. I also can get nausea. Can I recommend trying esomeprazole instead of lanzoprazole and alverine which is an antispasmodic. I think if you had both of them, you wouldn't need the ranitidine. Also if you drink alcohol, try giving up for a couple of weeks and see if it helps.