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Does this sound like a hiatal hernia? Scared its cancer

Posted , 4 users are following.

owen91323
owen91323

So up front I'll admit, I suffer from horrible health anxiety, but despite that my symptoms seem sinister and have me a mess.

I've been taking PPIs for a year after a suspected duodenal ulcer in Jan 2016.  I haven't been able to wean off them without having rebound acid, so my doctor told me just to stay on them.

Everything was going ok for awhile.  I'd have a mild acid sensation some days when I woke up but my two-a-day lansaprazole took care of it.  Recently I started having a lot of post nasal drip and foul taste in my mouth, then two weeks ago I started having a lump in my throat and the sensation of food coming back up my throat a ways before settling down.  It seems worse earlier in the day but it's really freaking me out.  I also have some back pains that come and go all of a sudden.

The only thing that changed two weeks ago was I tried to start working out again after a long break.  I did heavy (100lb) weighted cable crunches which put a lot of pressure on my abdomen, is it possible this could have brought on a hiatual hernia?  Or aggravated one I already had?  My mother and grandmother both have hernias and have taken PPIs for decades.  

I'm terrified this lump in my throat is esophageal cancer from years of silent reflux.  

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Barretts
    Barretts owen91323

    Posted

    The symptoms you describe are concommitant with extra-oesophageal reflux. (Variously also known as "Silent reflux", Laryngo-Pharyngeal Reflux (LPR), "Respiratory Reflux" )

    Relfux from the stomach into the oesophagus is most frequently due to the presence of a hiatus hernia obstructing the free operation of the lower oesophageal sphincter. Travelling full column it may then breach the upper sphincter also and aspirate into the respiratory system resulting in the symptoms you describe and more. (See attached graphic.)

    Your lansoprazole is reducing your acid to make the reflux less dangerous but doing little to stop the reflux which you'll need to manage ny lifestyle modification or surgery.

    See the section on Reflux in the free book / website www DownWithAcid org uk for more info.

    And, don't worry it's not cancer. Many of us here have similar experience.

  • Abuabu
    Abuabu owen91323

    Posted

    Have to say elements of your story I mirror but not all. What I have felt for a long time is that sometimes the HH is aggravated by physical activities. Not a golfer but played a round and about 4 holes in as I swung club got an acute pain behind sternum which persisted for next 3 hours to such an extent that found it difficult to slide into car seat. When got home pain still present and like a pulled muscle which many movements magnified. Thought could be this but after gingerly and very uncomfortably easing myself into a chair when I next stood something inside 'pinged' and all the pain just disappeared. My laymens explanation was that the HH had somehow got snagged on something and getting up it slipped back into place. Since have had similar without the lucky 'quick' fix. Then it seems to take days to ease. As regards lump in throat and back pains these seem to be symptoms that go hand in hand with an HH flare up. I have had reflux for 45 years and motility test which showed 43% acid being regurgitated against normal 10-15% but no esophageal cancer or significant damage and advised this could give those symptoms so suggest dont worry unduly about cancer. Also when I have an attack the medication doesn't really seem to abate and takes days to settle. The lump in throat disappears eventually.  I am going to explore possible op to remedy as problem occurs too often. Had  Fundoplication in 2003 but seems can fail at 10 yrs+. 

    A agree with Barretts contribution totally ... unlikely its the big 'C'. Good luck

  • amanda16110
    amanda16110 owen91323

    Posted

    Very sorry about your issues...PPIs are only to be taken for 14 days but most people tell me they have been on them for YEARS...I think there is a silent epidemic going on... in any case, all I can say is that I have been healing myself with naturals means and am having success. ( you can read my recent replies)

    Please seek whatever help you need to lessen your anxiety,

    All best,

    • Barretts
      Barretts amanda16110

      Posted

      Self medicators should only take PPIs for 14 days maximum but are safe longer term if monitored by a doctor. Some people need to take them for life. They are literally saving some people's lives.

    • amanda16110
      amanda16110 Barretts

      Posted

      I respectfully disagree. Something is causing the GERD symptoms. Only the symptoms are being treated not the underlying cause.
    • Barretts
      Barretts amanda16110

      Posted

      Not sure what you're disagreeing with.

      Owen has reflux and it's probably due to a hiatus hernia. They are very common in the population - some people are born with it.

      When symptoms are mainly due to reflux, as in Owen's case, lifestyle or surgery is the best option.

      Owen appears to have respiratory ailments from extra-oesophageal reflux: "A 2014 poll of 100 reflux sufferers revealed 70% reported experiencing Hoarseness, 64% constant throat clearing, 58% post nasal drip, 58% chronic cough, 53% sinusitis, 53% bad taste in mouth, 50% Globus (lump in throat), ..." [Down With Acid]

      For patients whose main problems are acid hyper-secretion, PPIs are the best option.

      For patients whose combination of acid and reflux have caused the pre-cancerous condition, Barrett's Oesophagus to develop, PPIs have been shown to reduce the possible risk of progression to cancer by 71%.

      Self medication of these drugs has never really been a good idea as they can so easily be misused. However, under medical monitoring, they are safe and are saving lives. (Despite the some scare-mongering media reports of those who cannot interpret simple findings of research studies. )

      "I had Barretts, and didn't understand the importance of PPI at the time and didnt continue taking them . Cancer developed ." [A fortunate survivor of the cancer - after he'd had to have his oesophagus removed!]

      I relate fully to Owen's plight. I had reflux problems all my life (all the symptoms shown on the attached graphic and more) , remembering being taken to the doc at 3 years old as a "mouth breather" and other symptoms until my '50's when, with the help of an inspirational doctor, we eventually worked out what was the problem. By then I had developed Barrett's. 15 years of PPIs increasing to 80mg daily rid me of the oesophagitis and made my reflux safer but did not stop the reflux. 9 years ago, at the age of 60, I had fundoplication reflux reduction surgery, resolving the hiatus hernia and giving me my life back.

      The Down Wth Acid book explains things fully regarding acid, reflux, complications and management with links to all the relevant research.

    • amanda16110
      amanda16110 Barretts

      Posted

      Thanks for thoughtful response and research.

      Disagreeing in part with "taking with doctor's help is safe." Studies of the long term use of PPIs show they can lead to other signicant health issues, including heart problems.

      The other is the underlying premise that lifestyle choices are a "yes, but let's get you on this PPI for immediate relief" lip service option most of the time. I understand this is what patients want and doctors want to give them quick relief. But a paradigm shift has to happen where doctors insist on dietary and lifestyle changes initially. Yes, there will be discomfort but it will be nothing in comparison to long term addiction to PPIs that will invariably happen when people take a pill and think they can eat and drink ANYTHING they want because they don't feel any symptoms. I have had to stop everything to rest and change my already clean diet to the extreme- even fasting until my symptoms subsided. Happily, they have because I refused to go on a PPI.

      Please see/listen Rob Stein at NPR "Popular Heartburn Pills Can Be Hard To Stop and May Be Risky" February 2016.

      All best,

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