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Hiatus Hernia Repair - Yay or Nay?

Posted , 27 users are following.

robynjade
robynjade

Hi guys! Just looking a little advice regarding Hiatus Hernias, a weak sphincter valve and fundoplication surgery versus other methods of treatment. 

First a little about myself. I am 22 years old, living in UK (Northern Ireland) and have just been diagnosed with a small hiatus hernia and an un-functioning sphincter valve. 

I have been suffering with pains for almost 4 years now, since age 18. GERD.. Reflux, stomach pains, chest pains, sore throat, coughing, the weirdest belching sound which is almost constant and sounds like a dragon around my breast bone (I physically can not burp) vomiting, periods of constipation/diarrhea, back pain.. The list really is endless, and these symptoms are mostly intermittent but sometimes very severe and debilitating. 

It massively affected my life, especially throughout university and I don't know how much more I can take. I have had to pass up on massive career opportunities and miss a lot of work because of my health. I was hoping to travel to Australia in the early half of 2015 but I don't think it is realistic with my current health problems.

In the last 4 years the NHS have literally part diagnosed/suggested I have all number of diseases, or sometimes told me there is nothing wrong at all.. I have been treated/diagnosed/referred for bronchitis, Celiac disease, MA, arthritis, and a whole host of other random things.. But have never heard the word hernia mentioned.. To be honest up until a month ago I though a hernia was something boys got on their bits!

I have tried every type of antacid available. Tablet form, steroids, some rotten pink liquid, gluten/lactose free diet, laxatives, pain relief.. To be honest nothing has ever really worked notably and as I am quite bad at taking tablets I would occasionally forget to take them and not feel any better/worse off for it.

I have been to see endless GPs, had a 6 night stay in hospital, been to out of hours, A+E and never really got any answers apart from a prescription for yet more drugs and on the odd occasion a referral.

Finally made the decision to go private about a month ago after an NHS gastro doc suggested an Endoscopy. I couldn't wait months for answers so after finding out my Dad's company have private health insurance with H3 for our whole family I booked into Kingsbridge private hospital in Belfast. In the last month I have had my private consultation, a barium meal which revealed a small hiatus hernia and a weakening in the stomach valve (apparently mine does not close at all!) this was re-confirmed with an endescopy and I had a colonoscopy to confirm there was no bowel problems. 

I had my evaluation appointment today with the private consultant who has recommended a dietician, some form of antacid, a laxative to relieve pressure around my bowels to hopefully relieve some abdominal pain and a review appointment in 3 months.. I broke into tears when he said this.. Although I have had a definite diagnosis which I am massively relieved about, it is exactly the same thing I have had tons of NHS docs tell me.. Meds meds and more meds! He polished it up with a dietician and said the only other option is surgery but he wouldn't advice because I am too young and there are a lot of complications. 

I came on tonight to research the surgery and although the side effects some of you guys are facing seem awful I doubt it is worse than how I feel now. Honestly I feel like I have nothing to loose! 

I have booked a review appointment for 3 months with the same consultant but now I am seriously considering ringing tomorrow to book another appointment and beg for this surgery.. I feel like I am 22 and my young adult life hasn't even started yet.

In an ideal world I would get the surgery in around January, have a few months recovery and be on a plane to Australia sipping strawberry daiquiris by April. I understand recovery can take much longer than this but I am at a wits end.

I just wanted to appeal to any one else in a similar situation to see their thoughts.. Do you recommend surgery, have you had it done, How did the procedure/recovery go? Or can you recommend any other forms of treatment? 

I am particularly interested in finding someone who has the complication with the valve also as I have only been able to find one comment relating which said it involves another part to the procedure to replace/repair the valve while they are fixing the hernia? 

Thanks

Robyn 

3 likes, 66 replies

66 Replies

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  • kimberly02598
    kimberly02598 robynjade

    Posted

    I'm also interested as well if you ended up getting the surgery. I'm 21 years old and have controlled my GERD and hernia problems with medication however my symptoms got worse after and my doctor has referred me to a surgeon. Quite nervous, as living with these symptoms get worse everyday! 

    Thanks,

    Kim

  • susanjl
    susanjl robynjade

    Posted

    I'm 60 and had the 270 fundoplication and hiatus hernia repair 4 weeks ago. I was booked in for the Linx procedure, but when they operated the surgeon found that my hernia was huge, he said that most of my stomach was actually in my chest. Tests had only shown a small sliding hernia. Apart from very mild reflux and a urine infection I am recovering well, home the following day, and very grateful. I can definitely still burp!!

    • ann55375
      ann55375 susanjl

      Posted

      I am also,over 60 and have had a problem with my stomach for a while.  Dr put it down to anxiety for a long time but recently I have started to have pain between my shoulder blades, especially at night. I have had nausea on and off for many months.  What i dont have is acid refluxing into my mouth, pain in chest, belching or the other symptoms.have tried ppis whih gave me massive anxiety, gaviscon worked for several years but not now. I am now on ranitidine but if i swallow the pills i get pain in the night in my back, its as if they are not dissolving properly.  A locum has just referred me to see g i specialist who says just standard procedure ie endoscopy manometry.  What i dont understand is why my pain is in back.  I am still very anxious and frightened of what endoscopy may bring. I had gallbladder out two years ago and this has happened since then somi wonder if its related to that.  I am at a loss and dont want surgeries which are not necessary.  Even the endoscopy scares me.  All hospitals do. I also see that not all hernia ops have a good result and thats putting me off.  What i have to do i dont know. Is it gallbladder man, or oesophageal man
    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 susanjl

      Posted

      Hi there - I am new on here but not to hiatus hernia.  I have had a small one for 2 years.  Did not have much problem with it really, gerd was also seen with the camera.  Adjusted my diet and things were ok for ages.  Started to feel a tight feeling under left breast which has stopped me exercising which I hate.  Pain sometimes runs around to the back.  I am assuming it is my HH.  I have been looking at the two different ops for HH.  I was interested in the Linx as I am in the UK.  I was under the impression that they would not do it if it was more than 3c but you say yours was huge when they went in.  Sounds like it has worked well for you which you must be really pleased about.  From what I have read Linx is the better option.  Glad you posted and keep getting better.  BTW which hospital did you go to - I am in Manchester and wonder where my nearest is to look into.

      Thanks for the post - good to read.

      Gwen.

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi ann, I am also in my 60's.  I feel the same about hospitals.  My hubs wants me to have an op for my HH but I am also put off by things I read.  There seem to be  more bad stories than good.  I am leaning towards the Linx as I am in Manchester UK.  My hubs says just go private and get it done - then it will be over.  He has no idea what can come along with it and the fact that for some, the Nissen can come undone.   Needless to say he has never read a forum!!

      It is so hard working out what to do.  We have separate bedrooms because I have awful insomnia and toss and turn, then sit up and read in bed but the nights seem long when you are thinking and worrying what to do for the best with your stomach.  My symptoms have been not too bad for the last 2 years since diagnosis, but I can feel a change going on for the last month which is not going away - and anxiety defjnitely makes it worse.

      I don't like PPIs and refused them so I have ranitidine 150 am and pm and sometimes I can feel it like you say as though it has not dissolved.  I do find Mastic Gum at bedtime a real friend though.  I also take Pepsin.

      I have read many times when a person has their gallbladder out - that things can seem worse, maybe there is an imbalance there.  Have you tried any alternative route.  Inflammation can be felt in the body with various therapies.  I went down that route a year ago with Kinesiology for my gastric issues.  She told me where my imbalances were and where the inflammation was and suggested certain supplements.

      It is life changing these gastric probs and gets you own, the only good thing to come out of it is forums like this. 

       

    • ann55375
      ann55375 gwen45436

      Posted

      Thanks for your note.  We are in same position and dont know what to,do.  If i dont have the severe back,pain i can cope on restricted diet.  Have you had gallbladder out? Thats when mine became a problem somnot sure if its that or hernia. Drs just want to mess about with my insides and im not keen, too many bad outcomes.
    • susanjl
      susanjl ann55375

      Posted

      I wanted to have the Linx but when they operated the surheon felt that it was not an option for 3 reasons, my hernia was massive, my oesophagus was too short and my LOS too weak. 2 months post 270 fundoplication my symptoms have returned and I am back on esomeprazole: a bit disappointed.
    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 ann55375

      Posted

      No ann not had gb out.  But have read so many times about probs afterwards.  Phantom pain has been said many times.  What a nightmare. 
    • philippe73664
      philippe73664 susanjl

      Posted

      Sorry Susan what was your symptome, I also have a small hernia but just wondering it can be a big one. Maybe I sould make another barium swallow. With the endoscopy they found nothing which is frustrating. Cheers.
  • bill01088
    bill01088 robynjade

    Posted

    Hi, probably will not get a reply since your initial post is 4 years old but would love to know how things have turned out for you. Dealing with same things and like most the big ? is do surgery or not? I think eventually the answer will be made for everyone, considering the many health risk & diseases caused by the hh. If you somehow do read this and find the time to reply it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton & hope all is well.

  • chrissy51966
    chrissy51966 robynjade

    Posted

    Hi @robynjade...

    My hh was diagnosed yesterday and my gp says it's a small hh and that I have GERD as well. He was not for the surgery as he sufferers from the same too and recommended I take ppi and antacids instead. . I m a 35 year old woman and mother of 3. And I don't know whether I should get a second opinion or just do as he said so I am still able to look after my kids properly. The operation side effects freak me out so much.

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 chrissy51966

      Posted

      Hi christelle, what supplements have you tried for your HH.  Absolutely all doctors will say PPI and antacids.  They seem to dismiss HH as anything to worry about.  Just live with it !!  You are very  young to have the op and being a mother of 3, you have a lot on your plate when trying to recover - not easy. 
    • chrissy51966
      chrissy51966 gwen45436

      Posted

      Hi Gwen! Thanks for taking the time to reply to me. I really do appreciate it.

      I was given omeprazole 40mg daily and a liquid antacid. Exactly as you thought...☺

      I will try to stay positive and look forward to the future.

      Thanks again Gwen. 

  • philippe73664
    philippe73664 robynjade

    Posted

    Very interesting story Robyn, I will follow your case as I'm pretty much on the same situation, but I have 39. I'm also thinking about the surgery, I can't get this out of my mind at this point. Cheers mate.

  • philippe73664
    philippe73664 robynjade

    Posted

    Very interesting story Robyn, I will follow your case as I'm pretty much on the same situation, but I have 39. I'm also thinking about the surgery, I can't get this out of my mind at this point. Cheers mate.

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