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Hiatus Hernia - Breathing Problems.

Posted , 113 users are following.

guyofchelt
guyofchelt

A few years ago after an Endoscopy I was diagnosed with a small sliding Hiatus Hernia which I have treated with Omeprezole. Recently I have been encountering some breathing difficulties combined with a staggering amount of reflux and despite doubling to 40mg of Omeprezole the reflux and breathing problems continue. I have just had a further Endoscopy which revealed the same Hiatus Hernia and lots of reflux. I am fairly certain that the Hiatus Hernia/Reflux is responsible for my Breathing problems, but doctors seem to disagree although they can not tell me what is causing it.

I have seen a few similar postings to mine, can not sleep, wake up all sweaty, panicy, can not breathe, but no where can I see where a resolution was arrived at?

So, could the breathing problems be down to the Hiatus Hernia and if so how was the problem resolved.

Grateful for any advice.

Regards

Guy Greening.

4 likes, 199 replies

199 Replies

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Has no-one suggested to you that your breathing problems could well be due to excitation of the vagus nerve in the lower oesophagus by the acid reflux? another end of the vagus nerve is the the lungs which then contract to cause the breathing problems.

    after months seeing gp & specialist, i saw an acupuncturist who explained it. when i went back to my consultant he said \"yes, that's a possibilty\"! quite why he couldn't spell out ALL the possibilities in the firts instance is beyond me!

    go back & discuss the vagus nerve!

    • bruiser
      bruiser Guest

      Posted

      i had a dr tell me same thing......i was getting severe reflux symptoms

      with lightheadedness and difficulty breathing...vagal vegus is impacted

      from the gas pressure........i think?

    • elle87858
      elle87858 Guest

      Posted

      Hello. Was wondering if your acupuncturist was able to fix the problem for you?
    • amz08
      amz08 elle87858

      Posted

      Hello. To be honest I've never looked into having acupuncture, maybe I will do abit of googling.

  • lori_in_surrey
    lori_in_surrey

    Posted

    I dont know why doctors seem determined to keep you all on these expensive drugs for the rest of your lives! I got fed up and had keyhole. Go for it.... think, no more acid reflux! Its worth the recovery period on sloppy food and the flatulence. Ive still not god rid of wind and some bowel problems but thats just due to everything being 'tightened' up and will go. Had op in Feb and had no acid since that day, only one night in hospital and back to work 3 weeks later. Make sure you get an experienced surgeon though.
    • bruiser
      bruiser lori_in_surrey

      Posted

      is that when they wrap a portion of your stomach around esophogus?

      i spoke with a surgeon that talked about that surgery........

      not there yet, but sounds like it would work......

      my symptoms are constant pain pressure in left hand top chest....

      what were your symptoms?

    • stephie2
      stephie2 lori_in_surrey

      Posted

      Is that the fundoplication?  I am a little nervous about this as people who had it said they can no longer burp and it has made them worse.  Trust me if there was anything that would help me then I would give it a go as it makes my life a misery...
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    [quote:80f076b768=\"lori in surrey\"]I dont know why doctors seem determined to keep you all on these expensive drugs for the rest of your lives! I got fed up and had keyhole. Go for it.... think, no more acid reflux! Its worth the recovery period on sloppy food and the flatulence. Ive still not god rid of wind and some bowel problems but thats just due to everything being 'tightened' up and will go. Had op in Feb and had no acid since that day, only one night in hospital and back to work 3 weeks later. Make sure you get an experienced surgeon though.[/quote:80f076b768]

    Can you explain a bit more detail about the sloppy food and flatulence please. I am debating whether to have this but you have scared me a bit!!

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Guy,

    I have a an hiatus hernia and reflux, a continual sore throat and bronchial tube. My oesophagus feels sore and sometimes when I breath it feels like my lungs are not working, this has made me panic, hyper ventilate. I have been to A&E on two occasions thinking I was dying. I have had a breathing panic attack in my sleep (paramedics called by my wife). I am now beeing treated for \"floating anxiety\" on the assumption that these are panic attacks. I still think it is my hernia and your experience has help me understand mine. I think breathing over this open flask of acid must affdect the lungs. I usually starts with severe belching, tingling in fingers and feet, my disolved oxygen level goes down to 95%.

  • SES
    SES

    Posted

    Hi there everyone,

    I explained to my doctors about my breathing difficulties and my doctor agreed that acid reflux effects your breathing!!!! flipping awful.... and when I went to see my liver specialist I think he just put it down to asthma, have to have some blood test before my next appointment so just wondering if this could help them treat me in the future?? so sorry can't remember what blood test it is?

    Regards

    SES

    • julia02807
      julia02807 SES

      Posted

      I also have a hiatel hernia.  My lung doctor says that if I had my hiatel hernia removed, I could go off some of my inhalers.  I went to a surgeon and he said that haivng surgery would be very complicated.  i also have asthma which i developed about 5 years ago.  I am an ex smoker and was told this oculd be responisble for my breathing problems.  I haven't smoked in almost 30 years.  I always thought after not smoking for 10 years islike you never smoked,  I also am on oxygen at night.  I use a sperermiter to exercise my lungs.  So on one hand she tells me my breathing problems is from smoking 30 years ago, and on the other hand it is from my hiatel hernia.
    • jazztrain
      jazztrain julia02807

      Posted

      Hi Julia02807

      When I was diagnosed with a Sliding Hiatus Hernia I had to take medication of Lansoprazole 15mg one capsule per day! But then I have an IPF a Pulmonary Fibrosis where the air sacs at the base of the lungs die caused by a malfunction of the immune system and under Papworth Hospital where the consultant there put me on a drug called Pirfenadone

      - I suppose different consultants give different advice depending on the patient.

      Kind regards

      Jazztrain

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    have you ever had glandular fever ( Epstein Barr virus) I suggest if you have had it you look up the effects .

    Cannot say more as I have reflux hernia and the specialist is looking a rhuematiod arthritis but my blood test showed up the EBV as it is an autoimune virus ,

    Hope this helps

  • Adrian_J
    Adrian_J

    Posted

    As I understand it, stomach acid is highly corrosive and regular reflux may cause acid to enter the lungs and damage them.

    Try sleeping with your upper body elevated. This is best achieved sleeping on your back. Remember to put a pillow under your knees so that your legs are bent, and use 7/8 stacked pillows behind your back.

    Due to past experiences, I have an adjustable bed and find this ideal. Useful to know they may be purchased zero-rated for VAT.

    Hope this helps.

  • Optivita
    Optivita

    Posted

    Hello Guy,

    I also suffer from the same breathing problem as you, it is to do with henia causing reflux do you wheeze as if you have asthma?sliding hernia cause these problems.especily when walking.

    Are you able to prop the head of your bed up, this is what i was told it helps at night.

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