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hiatus hernia

Posted , 4 users are following.

liddy
liddy

Hi there, I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia during routine investigations following a pleural effusion on my right lung. I had an endoscopy and have been on omeprazole for past 1 year which controlled the gastric reflux but I have continued to have a hoarse voice, productive cough and pain in the bottom of my lower left lung. I also become breathless when I go walking. I was given the all clear by the chest consultant but recently paid a visit to my GP to ask for a scan to see why I get these symtoms. He said nothing about the fact that having an hiatus hernia can cause these symptoms. It was only when I read the comments on this site. I do not know what to do now. I feel that if I go to see the chest consultant it may be a waste of time but my GP said that he cannot refer me for a scan only a consultant can do that.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi Liddy - This site is wonderful as it gives information from people suffering from HH/gastric reflux. I've had reflux for years. I asked doc if I had a hernia and she said no. Put me on Zoton, now having 30mg. If I forget a dose boy, do I know about it. Even taking every day I still get reflux, a swimmy feeling in my oesophagus, BAD smell and taste, sinuses filling up, coughing, choking sometimes, frighteningly. I went to my GP two years ago as I was breathless walking a mile and she said I have asthma so I have to take preventative medicine and carry a reliever around with me. I am worried that this is a mis-diagnosis and that I don't have REAL asthma but problems associated with reflux (or hernia?). Do you get bad effects from things like smoke, fumes, paint and white spirits? I do but don't know if it's linked with asthma or reflux. It feels as if my throat is going to close up. Not my chest. I choke at the scratchy stage of a cold and have to keep trying to cough my way through.
  • liddy
    liddy

    Posted

    Hello there crazyhorse, thanks for replying.

    I have never been on a site like this before and I was suprised to find some common symptoms that people wth HH present. Yes I do find that when I am in a smoky atmosphere I get hoarse and cough. I thought it was some kind of unresolved chest problem that they could not diagnose. I also get pleghm in my throat which I have to clear a lot. I will go back to my GP ( which I am sure he will love) and present him with my new findings. Just wish that the medical profession listened to their patients.

    Cheers liddy

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Got quite a shock when I read the last comments as I felt it described my symptoms exactly, in fact it could have been me writing. I have had a persistent, productive cough, for over 12 months now together with a hoarse throat. I also feel slightly breathless and find it necessary to keep clearing my throat with small coughing movements as it feels as if there is some sort of constriction/blockage. Strangely I sleep OK at night and once laying down do not cough. The coughing appears to be worse after bending, eating, even laughing (which I'm not doing a great deal of!) Originally, at the beginning of 2008, I was sent for 2 X-Rays and given 3 courses of antibiotics as there was some evidence of a chest infection. When things did not improve my GP referred me for a Spirometer reading. As this was found to be 'acceptable' it was thought that the chest was not the problem and the attention transferred to my stomach. I was told that the coughing could be due to Acid Reflux and I was prescribed Lansoprazole for the acid reflux (which I have been on for 6 months) and Beclometasone for the breathing. I was also referred to a Gastroenterologist for an Endoscopy. Following the test I was informed that I had a small Hiatus Hernia, Reflux Oesophagitis and Duodenitis but I am not booked to see the Gastroenterologist until April so have not been able to discuss these results yet. The coughing appears to be getting worse/more frequent so I went back to see my GP last week. He had received the initial Endoscopy results and does not think my productive cough is a result of what they found (which he says is only a small Hiatus Hernia) so I have now also been referred to a Chest Consultant! Please excuse the length of this posting but I am at my wit's end. My symptoms appear to be getting worse and I am feeling really unwell. I am totally confused with the medication and the 2 separate referrals for the stomach and the chest. Nobody seems to be able to give me any definite answers. Is the productive cough coming from the stomach or chest? Why can't they test what I am coughing up? Where do I go from here? Does anyone recognise these symptoms?[/u]
  • WetWillie
    WetWillie

    Posted

    Hello all. Newly diagnosed with HH.... I am off to the Caribbean for 2 wks of diving. Will lifting the tanks and weights etc. put me in jeapordy??I can see eating early and staying vertical will be important.... Other

    suggestions are very welcomed.

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