Hiatus hernia and reflux

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hi,

I have suffered from a Hiatus Hernia and reflux for over 15 yrs. At times I have also been diagnosed with Helicobacter Pylori. I have taken Lanzaprazole or similar during this time, and Peptac or Gaviscon, but there are times when it doesn't help. I recently had an endoscopy and have to have a Manometry test in 10 days. . I am 62 and would prefer to avoid surgery. I am concerned at recent publications which suggest that long term use of PPIs is counter productive, but I suffer if I don't take them.I have read of chiroprators in the USA who manipulate the hernia back into place..... I have tried to find out if this is available in the UK as I would prefer to try that first. Can anyone shed some light on this please?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Peta

    I have had haitus hernia repair and am looking into whether I might have this pylori infection So far not shown up in tests. I still take antacids and find sometimes you need different combinations - lanzopruzole fast tabs can help as well as ranitidine, PPI's stop acid production in the stomach so you need to alternate them as well if you can. Take a day off the PPI's if you can as well to get some acid back which you need to digest food.

    After my experience of surgery - it has helped me - I could not keep anything down at all for a while. But it is not an instant fix and has side effects leaving you with a delicate digestive system too. Still may need antacids. I try and take them every other day and find that is enough if I am careful with my diet. I now see an Ayruvedic Practioner and you may even find that diet means you do not need further medical treatment at all but depends on results of endoscopy etc. I am 60 and found it very painful taking a long time to recover whatever the surgeons may tell you - it takes time and is major surgery in a very delicate area of the body near the heart, lungs and liver.

    I was lucky to have a brilliant and very good consultant surgeon who was very experienced. Still have problems which he cannot solve completely - you need someone very experienced if you do go down that route. Get a 2nd opinion if you're not sure. As to manipulation I think that is a much better option than surgery- if it is possible - but again find someone who knows how to do it. I think it depends where the hernia is situated. With me it had gone into the oesophagus so could not be maniputated but I still use massage with a shiatisu practitioner - they can help and advise where to go as well. Make sure you find someone with right accreditation etc

    Osteopaths have told me they have a technique for massaging hernias and helping acid rflux - check out U-tube. You could also try the British School of Osteopathy in London,. They also have a private hospital which is where you will find the fully trained expert osteopaths -not sure where that is or what it is called. Their school in Hampstead, London, should be able to tell where their hospital is - London somewhere and very good reputation.

    Hope that helps and let me know how you get on. So many different opinions it is hard to make the right choice isn't it. Best wishes.

  • Posted

    Hi Peta

    I have had haitus hernia repair and am looking into whether I might have this pylori infection So far not shown up in tests. I still take antacids and find sometimes you need different combinations - lanzopruzole fast tabs can help as well as ranitidine, PPI's stop acid production in the stomach so you need to alternate them as well if you can. Take a day off the PPI's if you can as well to get some acid back which you need to digest food.

    After my experience of surgery - it has helped me - I could not keep anything down at all for a while. But it is not an instant fix and has side effects leaving you with a delicate digestive system too. Still may need antacids. I try and take them every other day and find that is enough if I am careful with my diet. I now see an Ayruvedic Practioner and you may even find that diet means you do not need further medical treatment at all but depends on results of endoscopy etc. I am 60 and found it very painful taking a long time to recover whatever the surgeons may tell you - it takes time and is major surgery in a very delicate area of the body near the heart, lungs and liver.

    I was lucky to have a brilliant and very good consultant surgeon who was very experienced. Still have problems which he cannot solve completely - you need someone very experienced if you do go down that route. Get a 2nd opinion if you're not sure. As to manipulation I think that is a much better option than surgery- if it is possible - but again find someone who knows how to do it. I think it depends where the hernia is situated. With me it had gone into the oesophagus so could not be maniputated but I still use massage with a shiatisu practitioner - they can help and advise where to go as well. Make sure you find someone with right accreditation etc

    Osteopaths have told me they have a technique for massaging hernias and helping acid rflux - check out U-tube. You could also try the British School of Osteopathy in London,. They also have a private hospital which is where you will find the fully trained expert osteopaths -not sure where that is or what it is called. Their school in Hampstead, London, should be able to tell where their hospital is - London somewhere and very good reputation.

    Hope that helps and let me know how you get on. So many different opinions it is hard to make the right choice isn't it. Best wishes.

  • Posted

    If you are taking PPI'S long term . Check your Magnesium levels.
  • Posted

    Thanks for your response. I had read about possible problems with magnesium levels when acid levels are reduced. I haven't had that checked yet, but am taking a Magnesium & Vitamin B

    supplement to see if that makes a difference. I do feel the PPIs are depleting my energy levels.

    Thanks also for the info re You Tube and the BSO. I am awaiting a reply from the British Institute of Chiropractors. If they can't help I will certainly follow your advice. It seems that repair surgery has a lower success rate than Lanzaprazole, which is why I'm looking for alternatives, but it seems to be an area of medicine which the profession is not certain about. I go to the US in a few weeks time and was wondering whether to look for a chiropractor there - I realise it may not work but want to know if the procedure could do lasting damage.

  • Posted

    Hi

    Yes its true that PPI's lanzopruzole etc reduce acid but we need acid sometimes don't we?. My consultant told me to take them every other day. Maybe I should be taking magnesium with Vitamin B so thanks for the info. I will ask him about it and at centre to. The op has about a 60% success rate but less so as one gets older - I think and depends on a lot of factors. I think look at the op as a really last resort. Months of being sick on a liquid diet drove me take the op.

    If you can afford it go the states as it is much more advanced over there if you find the right consultant. In US haitus hernias are a huge problem as they are also linked to obesity - not in my case. If you want to go privately my consultant is lead internationally renowned surgeon on this issue - its one of his specialisms. Don't know about chiropractors or what they do at all so cannot help there - maybe someone else knows about it. You could always try asking your consultant or doctor and BSO over here?

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