Hiatus Hernia and Palpitations
Posted , 122 users are following.
I have been diagnosed with a hiatus hernia but have had lots of problems with palpitations recently, i also sometimes get a cold shivery feeling some nights as if i am going down with flu, i have suffered from really bad acidity over the last 10 years, i have had three endoscopy's and it was on the last one that i was diagnosed with a hernia, i also get bad chest pain along the sternum and a bad pain where my ribs meet in the middle, it's so depressing, does anybody else suffer from palpitations etc?
9 likes, 160 replies
liz44044 crazymama
Posted
Vicky I am assuming your not in the United States If you are get to another gastro doctor have them do an endoscopy to define exactly. I had HH surgery 5 months ago and yes the attacks were getting worse for me the last year. Results after surgery were that the HH when first diagnosed 17 years ago that doctor who i NO Longer have said it was a sliding HH. Well, no it wasn't surgeon said it was the opposite and large....I never was spitting up blood that concerns me for you. It did compromise my health in a way as I was not able to take over the counter anything if i should need it as everything was triggering an attack....Nexium by Rx was the only PPI that took me through the waiting period for which i had to have surgery for that and Nissen Fundoplication for gerd. My heart goes out to you with two small children and feeling so terribly .... keep searching and dont give up you need answers and get it fixed. I Thank God I have my life back again since the surgery....Be diligent in getting answers and treatment dont let it get you down for the childrens sake.....you will be fine when you find a good doctor ....Good Luck and God Bless Liz
amanda32001 crazymama
Posted
Hi there , after another horrendous night suffering from indigestion , I decided to look up hiatus hernia ! And oh wow! I have all the symptoms everyone has mentioned ... I feel kinda worried ??....... Altho I think this forum will help ........ I am overweight , I drink a lot , and smoke at the end of the day - a habit I have had for years .... I have an enormous amount of stress in my life as my husband has myeloma ( blood cancer) . He was diagnosed at 45 , 3 years ago ...... He isn't able to work , so I do pretty much do everything including working full time as a hairdresser and beauty therapist . Unfortunately out our marriage was over long before he was ill but I have stood by him , we have 2 kids now 17 and 13 ...... I am convinced my problems are stress related ....... But I now know I need to concentrate in my health ..... I also had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago, and I am sure everything got worse from then on ..... I also have an umbilical hernia , From the surgery......but my symptoms Are now debilitating my happy lively demeanour 😩 . My mask is slipping!!! ... I need some help ! And support ! I take citalopram for anxiety .....May try some acupuncture along with the healthy eating ...sorry to go on but making the point how much the stress has played apart in this . I lost my father too in this time .... Nobody knows how I keep going ... But I am starting to crack - and these symptoms I have just ignored ! Thank you for sharing your story . Thank god for google ! ??????
Abuabu crazymama
Posted
You have described my symptoms exactly. My shivers start at night and can be very severe making my while body shake violently. I think they may trigger when I have not kept sufficienlty hydrated so I drink up to a litre of water and go to bed. The shaking gradually subsides amd in morning I feel generally OK albeit a little 'beaten up'. I have got a Hiatus Hernia and am a firm believer when this is playing up my ectopics/palpatations peak. I believe its the Vagus nerve somehow being irritated and in turn it affects the heart. Some cardiologists agree this is possible but many refute any possible connection, to an extent I am getting used to the palpatations which lessens my anxiety which helps as this certainly makes matters worse. Stick in and try keeping hydrated. Good luck
casey06223 crazymama
Posted
I have to share my story. For years I was having these horrible heart palpitations, or, more like a few very slow or missed beats, then ending with very hard thumps of heart beat. They resulted in me feeling lightheaded and dizzy, and of course, led to panic attacks. I was terrified and feeling like I was dying (I was 21 and pregnant when they began). My OB said she wasn't really worried about it that it was a pregnancy thing. Well they continued beyond pregnancy for years and I still have them (50yo). At some point I realized that I was always sitting down, and usually slouching or my abs were tight when they happened and I would jerk myself upright and relax my abs. This always seemed to make them go away and I became less afraid of them. During the subsequent two pregnancies, they always did the EKG and other heart tests and said I looked just fine. So of course I felt foolish and didn’t see another doctor for a very long time. About 5 years ago I went to a cardiologist who ordered an Echo. I went for the Echo and was explaining my symptoms to the tech. He asked “does it go away when you stand up straight?”, I said YES! He said “it sounds like a Vagus Nerve” stimulation issue…. .my response……uh, a what? Is that spelled Vegas? So of course the first thing I did was Google it and there was only one forum I could find, and I only found ONE medical reference to it. Of course the medical reference and the people on the forum explained my symptoms EXACTLY!!! I was so excited to tell my Cardiologist. Of course he replied by saying that my symptoms were not position or diet specific (meaning when I was sitting or bloated), and that he had never heard of heart issues being related to the VNS. I knew I was right, regardless of what he said. So he made me wear a heart monitor for a week and document what I was doing whenever I had one…..always sitting! And of course the diagnosis was normal palpitations that were nothing to worry about. Whatever.
Long story short, is that over the years I have found that my DIET also largely contributes to my palpitations. Anything that makes me bloated and gassy will bring them on in a big way. I try not to eat carbs or anything that bloats me such as oats, pasta, breads, etc. And I don’t eat until I’m full because a full stomach also causes them. In fact, if I’m gassy or very full I even get them when standing if my abs are tight or if I turn at the torso. Caffeine and too much sugar are also large culprits, as well as pants that are tight around the waist. In addition, if I am exhausted they tend to kick in.
I know we all have our own causes and symptoms to this crazy affliction, but I wanted to share what I have learned about my own in case it helps anyone else. It still gives me a start when I get them, but I’m not in the land of panic attacks over them anymore. I know I can control them to some extent, which means I can avoid them by taking certain precautions.
I feel for all of you and your worries about your health and your frustrations with doctors! If it wasn’t for that very smart (and cute) tech that did my echo, I’d probably still be thinking I was crazy because the doctors never suggested it. I love him actually
He saved me mentally and doesn’t even know it.
Listen to your bodies, because you know what is going on! Don’t let them make you think you don’t!
casey06223
Posted
I forgot to add that I also have GERD and that when I take medication for it (Prevacid, Tagamet, etc.) it also bloats me terribly and that will also cause the palpitations. It seems that altering my diet and using Rolaids or something like that seems to help overall. When it comes down to it, I'd rather have heartburn then palpitations.
vnadeau casey06223
Posted
I have all this, too (as well as what I mentioned to the "guest" that I previously replied to). I began to belive that all the "symptoms" that I've been HAVING over the past 24 years (since I was pregnant with my first son), were "all in my head", as MANY people have accused; my own MOTHER has told several people that I "look up illnesses, online, find symptoms, then go tell a doctor that [I'm] having them and that have such and such disease"!!! (Oh, btw, let me ALSO mention that it took about 10 YEARS for the doctors to diagnose me with Fibromyalgia and if you know anything about THAT, well, that's not the topic, here but ALSO, I had my first epileptic seizure, when I was 15, my parents accused me of being "on drugs", which I was NOT and THAT was 28 years ago and I'm STILL epileptic)--- Just like with my hernia symptoms, my parents chalked everthing up to "laziness" and being a "faker", which lead OTHERS to do the SAME, because they believed my parents and figured "well, if you have so many things WRONG with you, why haven't you been diagnosed with these things, that you're CLAIMING??" Well, just like with everything ELSE (seizures, included) my parents never took me to doctors, when growing up; they just "played" doctor and "diagnosed" me, THEMSELVES, so I was never diagnosed, as a CHILD, but then, as a young ADULT, I never had the finances or insurance to cover all the costs of regular PCP visits, let ALONE, any SPECIALISTS, medications or (God, FORBID) SURGERIES (had I ever NEEDED them, which I'm sure at ONE point, in my life, surgeries may have even PREVENTED many of my health issues from getting to the point that they are, NOW. It's been a LONG, HARD ROAD and lots of emotional STRESS in no one ever BELIEVING me and accusing me of faking everything, just to "justify being lazy" (etc.), not to MENTION all the "mental disorders" that (MANY) have accused me of having (making me BELIEVE that I was mentally ill), but NOW I'm know that NONE of my illnesses are "in my head" and I am now getting everthing treated, PROPERLY, INCLUDING the hernia! As I said, it's been over 24 years, but I'm GLAD that I MADE it!!
vnadeau crazymama
Posted
These symptoms that you've described, that you have, I have all of them, as WELL. Including the swollen "pregnant looking" belly
I'm 43 years old and I usually feel like I am MUCH OLDER than I actually am. I am 5' 2" and I weigh about 135-140 lbs, although I feel a lot HEAVIER (I would imagine it's due to the swollen stomach). Because I feel so heavy, I feel like an OX, when I move around; as if I'm having to lift a massive amount of weight. I'm very clumbsy and tired most of the time. I feel EVERYONE'S "pain", on here, who suffers from this, because just as you said, it is SOOO AWEFUL! 
I only RECENTLY found out that I HAVE the hernia, but I've been suffering (and pushing myself THROUGH) the pain, for over 20 years. Yeah, it's not fun, at ALL, but I'm glad that I FINALLY know what the problem is--- for many years, I have been called a "hypochondriac" by my family and peers and told to "get over it and deal with it" and "suck it up", etc, because of the fatigue, because the symptoms always seem to happen the most severely, when there's something that I have to do, physically. I've ALSO been called "lazy", because of it, because of the fact that I couldn't explain the experience that I was having, which really HURT, coming from people close to me. It's a very disheartening illness and it's no fun, at ALL! Not emotionally, mentally or (ESPECIALY) PHYSICALLY!
fabian11886 crazymama
Posted
Well, we all have a similar problem sadly. I will describe my symptoms and my general condition very thoroughly, thus someone could find a pattern or just feel indentified with me and not alone with this
I've had GERD(Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) since I was around 12 years old. The burnt I felt in my chest was very very painful, and usually my stomach was regurgiting the food. At 16 I began to feel palpitations with very high frecuency while lying in bed (around 5-10/minute). From what I remember, the palpitations were more frecuent when I skipped my night sleep till around 5:00 AM. But, I had periods in my life where the palpitations were non-existent (Will talk about this later).
When I was 17 I was very depressed and most of my time was spent in the house playing computer games, and then my first SVT ocurred; I was very scared, the heart rhythm was around 200 beats/min while resting. After this episode, my life was experiencing a turn over: I became a very sport guy, ate healthy, had a lot of new friends and a girlfriend. Suddenly, the palpitations were gone and so the SVT.
6 years later, I was almost a gym rat, and I was using a lot of supplements. Among them I have this thing with a lot of caffeine (around 6-8 portions of coffee per cup), and after using it for around 5-10 days I had my second SVT (in this period I wasn't experiencing any palpitations). After that and other things, I became sedentary again and my health slowly began to deteriorate. After few months, I was suffering from palpitations again and some SVT in the next 2 years.
At 25 my life was extremely stressful and I was gaining few pounds. Around this time, I had a SVT that didn't want to stop and in ER the medics had to inject me. My stressful life was becoming worse and I kept gaining weight, and so the symptos were also becoming worse and new symptoms appeared: chest pressure, dizziness, light head, worse bloating (I always had this problem), more frecuent palpitations at times I didn't have before, another SVT just after 3 months of the last (this one required ER too) and worsened palpitations in certain postures. About the last, the rule was extremely clear: pressure in my abdomen or chest implies a palpitations sometimes. Thus, bending over, facing down while sleeping, positions where the pressure was increased in the torax almost always triggered a palpitation, and not only a palpitation; every time I had SVT the pressure in my abdomen was anormally high because of the posture or because I was very bloated.
Now I'm 26, and the problem was very heavy 2 months ago (and even worse than before). However, I changed my life style once again, i.e. I removed almost all stressful situations from my normal day, took a sport routine again (running and weight lifting), changed my eating habits, followed a sleep schedule carefully, avoided being sit down in front of a computer, ease my study program, etc.. And all the symptoms are slowly dissapearing. Now I can sleep without too much trouble caused by palpitations because I rarely have any! (but some sometimes when I get very close to being sleep). I can sleep almost in any position without feeling uncomfortable and chest pressure, but I feel much better with the head of my bed raised. And I'm slowly getting back to my old excersise routine without discomfort and being frightened cause of my heart
After all this years and meticulously observation, I'm completely sure that there is mainly a link between bloating-Irritable bowel syndrome-extra pounds-stress-anxiety-posture-palpitations-tachycardia, and some other symptoms like. And also, I'm certain that if you have a problem similar to mine, you could get better by removing: bloating, extra pounds, stress, anxiety and Irritable bowel syndrome(if you have this one). However, the cause of your problem might be completely different maybe. Also, it's a wise idea to slowly approach physical exercises (which I think is extremely important to alleviate the symptoms), because your might have other heart problem. Finally, don't take this as a medical advice because I'm not a physician and I don't even know if you have a problem similar to mine
. However, if I were to diagnose me, I would say hiatal hernia, GERD, irritable vowel syndrom and psychological problems like anxiety, and some others more personal.
I'm glad that I'm not fighting alone.
Take care
wdtony fabian11886
Posted
Great post, very descriptive. I recently lost 20 lbs. and am finding the palpitations are getting less frequent. However, for me, one day I did somewhat strenuous carpet cleaning and that brought on a terrible episode.. Strangely enough this all started for me due to over-exercise where I was vertical - face down doing pushups and core exercises to strengthen my bad back, which I believe, in turn, caused a herniation of hiatus. I would often do these exercises after eating large meals. Big mistake. And like you, anxiety, posture, large meals, sleeping on my stomach and computer sitting can all trigger palpitations. My heart is healthy, the cardiologist said that it was caused by irritation to the node and could be irritation to the vagus nerve. In other words, something physical irritating the nerve that can influence the heart's electrical system. I have PVC, PAC, PAT, SVT, PSVT and A-fib for 3 years, since I injured myself with those vertical exercises. I can also sometimes feel my stomach move when I walk which can also trigger that palpitations. This scares me from exercising much since any movement can trigger. Too much exercise or activity can increase palpitation. Sitting too much can also increase these. Thanks for your post.
debra75316 crazymama
Posted
Yes, I to suffer from these palpitations terrible as they are. I get chest pains with them and I've had them checked out, but Doctor says they are normal for me. I hate them as they limit my life. I am agoraphobic and have never been far from home. I searched out help anywhere and everywhere from hypnosis to medication. This is just another kick down for me. I don't have a caring doctor, just a guy who does what he has to and then acts like he hates his job. I'm trying vitamins, magnesium but all in all I still have them. Thank you to all of you who share your palpitations because, I have learned I'm not alone, and it will be alright.
nick1427 debra75316
Posted
Hi i just got on this forum and think I have the same thing I was born with a stomach hernia and lately have had palupitaions scaring me so bad that I am have anxiety too I haven't been to the dr yet but need to by it seems they don't do much for it ?
pam46197 crazymama
Posted
I started out 7 months ago with severe severe gastritis I'm in Mexico now 56 doctors nothing worked finally I think I got rid of gastritis and pain which was severe oh my God I wanted to die now it's months or 7 months the gastritis is gone I think now everyday still nauseous and p
ain not as bad at all but now a lump below my chest wall at the top of my sternum don't know what it is I've checked everything out nothing matches I know this was the year you said this I hope you get this and have an opinion Pam originally from Oregon hidden Mexico one year get breakfast too
mollymoos crazymama
Posted
I have alot a medical gliches etc etc(surprised the fellow above hasnt recalled me yet. lol)anyways, while reaing through, and I am sure we all did the same, OMG - got that, got that - got that - it was like opening a door and being surrounded by people who were suffering the same, but mostly, they UNDERSTOOD. I would like to possiblily relate my story on how I finally put 2 and 2 together on why I have felt and wondered what was happening on Sat/Sun just gone...I was throwing all sorts into the frame..having anything from 1. a heart attack, - had middle of chest pain for 3/4 days and constant palps and the feeling of bloatness after eating(I like eating) I do have difficulties with swalllowing, (even plain ole water) if it bad then I have to sit bolt upright and stretch my neck up as far as I can to pull the hernia back down, It will either work or cause ringing and floatylight feelings in my ears and the stomach pain, as the food slowly decends into the stomach..I have great kids and they will come and hold my hands cos the pain is horrific at times.
anyway.. back to subject...
Comes up to Saturday - at work, the pain felt worse... I have had a Heart attack so sort of know the signs.. Got the ole tingling in the jaw OH OH... but it continued up to my ears.. which just didnt feel right, had a headache so know my BP was propbably sky high... cut a long story.. went home and BP was 230/95 and felt sick.. I dont like be sick in front of strange people..lol.. well I was sick(both ends) and had mass dehyration - 1 litre after each vomiting just could not stop drinking.. at all.. it was like my body depended on getting the water into it.. no matter.. BUT... within a hour of being sick... NO Chest pain.. no Palps and my BP reduced to 144/75 - my vomiting off/on continued for 24 hours and has now subsided - I adopted the BRAT DIET and found the following is amazing lol lol.. Mashed bananas in plain yoghurt, good ole toast with mash bananas, and Jellies with sponge fingers.. Jacket mashed potates - basically anything that doesnt take alot of digestion -( we love the jellies lol lol ) Cauliflower is good) Unfortunatley 1 small sq of chocolate is not good lol.. The heartburn and chest pain raised its ugly head... so all in all - we become what we eat.. bit like being diabetic.. we can eat what we like and suffer the consequences or make those subtle changes and try to make our life more comfortable.. Sorry if this post is too long or boring.. just wanted to thrown my lot into the mix.. take care my friends and stay postive. xxxx
lc72704 mollymoos
Posted
Hi Mollymoos. Great hearing your experience! It gets pretty scary sometimes. Chocolate bothers me too. Im glad you have supportive kids, I hate being alone when it gets really bad. Sounds like you have a great attitude, that's encouraging. Take Care and God bless.
mollymoos lc72704
Posted
I Think you have to have a sense of humour in someways.. Have had too much chucked at me over the last 25 years to deal with medically.. that I have many options of what the diagnosis could be when something happens.. I have TA/GCA which can be similar as well. - but as and when my time comes .. at least I can say that my local hospital look at me in amazement that I am still living & Breathing & smiling through it all. hahahah.. Take each day as it comes and smile - get to know yr body and understand it workings, so you know when something is not right and its trying to warn you. love & Light to all.