Hiatus Hernia and breathing issues

Hey guys. I'm updating this thread on my condition.  Sorry it's taken so long.  My blood count came back normal with a little bit of raised LDL which is from my increase in fattier meats. 

Okay, here's the deal, and I don't want to jinx myself, but I'm feeling about 98% better. I'm starting to believe this whole thing may be related to Gastritis and my nickel allergy in some way.  I've started probiotics, and for the last two days I was doing test runs on what I could eat.  No "reactions" so far besides the occasional heartburn and fullness when lying down.

The extreme shortness of breath episodes are gone.  I'm fairly sure that it was not a hernia causing my problems.  Here's some things it could have/could be.

I stopped drinking alcohol off and on after having a dependence to it.  This did lead to withdrawal episodes.  However, even before the withdrawal episodes I was drinking alcohol on an empty stomach before meals.  This is what I think may have caused my gastritis.

However, I do have a contact allergy to nickel as well, and maybe it's possible the nickel had built up enough in my system to cause asthma like symptoms and rhinitis.  Maybe the break I took on a low nickel diet helped to remove a majority of it from my system. 

I think my problem was compounded, but I believe I'm healing.  Only time will tell.  Maybe the diet changes fixed me and the probiotics?  I sure went through hell from this, and I lost 10 pounds in a month and a half.  Yesterday I was able to eat a birthday cake and M&M ice cream sandwiches as a "test run" lol.  More like an amazing experience after being on such a restrictive diet :-).  I just hope this holds, but I'll update again in about a month either way.

 

It's now been a few months, so I'm updating this thread.   At this point virtually all of my symptoms are gone.  I'm now able to drink beer again, and eat virtually whatever I want in moderation.  I'm on Prilosec 20 mg taken once in the morning.  I believe my problem was Esophagitis, and I believe it just took some time to heal.  Now even still, I believe I do have some sort of hernia, because if I eat too close to bed time, I get the gas and slight shortness of breath, but it's nothing to how it used to be.  

Now whatever caused the Esophagitis I don't know, but I'm sure the hernia was caused either by coughing from a food allergy or coughing from acid reflux.  I still minimize my nickel intake, because I do have a contact allergy to nickel, and I thought it might be possible it caused eosinophilic esophagitis.  Regardless, doctors don't seem to have the answers to this, and it appears I've corrected it myself.  

Hope everyone has improved on this.

Everyone look up (LPR) Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.  I've been able to self diagnose myself at this point.  Something that can help if it's a hernia causing it:  Every morning before breakfast drink a 16 oz glass of water (warmed).  Pull hands up to chest (to open diaphram), go up on your heels and fall back (you should feel a jolt). Then pant for 15 seconds with the hands still pulled up to the chest (this helps close the diaphram back) This can help pull the hernia down and close the LES valve and allow the LES is strengthen.  I take prilosec once in the morning and once before bed.

The esophagitis can cause shortness f breath (if you let the reflux continue you can develop it).  Esophagitis can send false signals to the brain that you're short of breath (nerve endings in the esophagus).  

Things to avoid:

Chocolate (stimulants relax LES)

Caffeine

tomatoes

garlic 

onions

Large meals

Carbonated beverages (I allow myself beer in moderation in my case)

Large amounts of alcohol

Nicotine (can relax LES)

Eating 3 hours before lying down

Extremely fatty foods (takes longer to digest thus putting more pressure on the LES for long periods of time)

I have had this problem for years too. The solution for me has always been to eat very ripe fruit an/or various homemade vegetable soups ( carrot and coriander, potato and leek, cabbage and lentil ). Of course, these can cause flatulence but relieve the symptoms.  This remedy works for me, usually taking a few hours to work, then symptom free for days.

Hope this suggestion helps. 

HI Kristo

I am also suffering from exacltly same problem as you mentioned, i am 26 years old.. but i feels like no more energy left because i cant breth fully .

Any improvemnets in your health ??

i Dont know i have hital hernia or not . My doctor told i have acd reflux .. but i am having all other symptoms for hital hernia ..i feel dr lost here ..

I entered an advivory text here a few weeks ago. I'm very disappointed to see people use it as a chatsite. Remember life is there to enjoy, not to complain about. 

There are many ways to resolve the problems associated with a hernia. Please try to enjoy your life WITH the problems until they can be resolved.

Is anyone on here with the breathing issues and digestion issues by any chance on a beta blocker too?

Hi Krito

I have a terrible breathing problem and one of my doctors finally listened to me and refereed me to a surgeon in Seattle that specializes in this type of surgery and I will be seeing him Jan 6. I just found out that my hiatal hurnia is 8 cm in diameter which is quite large. After the doctor did a pulmonary test that showed no change in lung, I said doctor this came on all of a sudden and that seemed to ring a bell so she did other test and I asked her if she would refer me to a doctor and she did. Please just ask? Also do some research in your area and find someone that has done a lot of these type surgeries. Hope this hrlps

Hi Kristo

I am just wondering if you still have this problem or have you got it sorted.

I have had an hiatus hernia for many years but in the last few years my breathing has got so much worse. I too have had my lungs and heart checked out and all looks fine.

My symptoms sound exactly the same as your so I'm wondering how you have got on.

Regards

Sean

I am suffering from a problem for the last 1 year. I am finding difficult to breathe and stomach is very much full and inflated

kindly help.

Yes my aunt had the same issue she had surgery to fix the hernia and her breathing issue was better

No more issues with breathing

You need to get it fixed and you will be back to your old self again I know she my aunt was

Kristo at 13 i had a mesh hernia repair and now at 62 i have been diagnosed with a large sliding hernia that has escaped it's repair.I too have breathing issues but some of this is caused by cameron lesion that bleed which has caused me to have chronic iron deficiency anemia.Have you been checked for bleeding because loss of iron can cause breathlessness and weakness.I'll be seeing a specialist in Dec. and am hoping this can be repaired.

Hi Kristo im glad I came across your post, I have all these issues I can deal with the pain side but the bending over even to tie my shoe is scary now have to catch my breath as u said I used to run up and down stairs the thought of taking my washing down now freaks me out its driving me nuts..I feel as though I'm constantly complaining lol I am waiting on hospital appointment for scope was just wondering what your outcome was?

Thanks fee