1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Hernia

Hiatus Hernia - Surgery?

Posted , 15 users are following.

christine12299
christine12299

Hi, I have been reading the posts here and would very much like to ask peoples opinion on keyhole surgery. I have been diagnosed with a 3cm Hiatus hernia after many years of suffering on and off from breathing problems, indigestion, soreness in oesophagus. I have recently had to give up my job so this has severely affected mylifestyle. I have taken all the advise for diet,raising the bed, taking medication etc but this time around I am unable to free myself of symtoms. I have an appointment to discuss the option of surgery but, have read many stories here of people who have suffered a lot following the procedure.......help! What do I do?the alternative of doing nothing is making me miserable

0 likes, 61 replies

61 Replies

Prev
  • donna38719
    donna38719 christine12299

    Posted

    Christine

    We appear to be having the same issues. I've decided that I want the linx fitted but my specialist is trying to discourage me. For me the pluses would be one night of sleep. Sleeping in a position I want preferably on my tummy lol. Not always snapping at my children and husband because I'm totally drained and always tired. Not having this feeling of dread that I'm going to die leaving my 2 children under the age of 10. This is how I feel when I cannot predict if I'm going to have spasms on any given day at any given time owing to reflux. Then there is the stress which increases the reflux and the constant worry of whether I will have to give up or not be able to find work.

    I completed my tests again yesterday and already I have an appointment for another decision by another specialist to have or not to have. Having read about the procedure and the results this is the chance I am willing to take for quality of life.

    • christine12299
      christine12299 donna38719

      Posted

      Hi Donna,

      What is the lynx? I know surgeons are not happy about performing procedures on HH as it seems the operation is not always sucessful but the symptoms are awful. I know what you mean about getting anxious you can't help it,the symptoms are so bad sometimes you feel your body can't take any more that leads to thinking will it just give up or what permanent damage is this doing?! Being in constant discomfort and or pain gets you down. I am now trying a wheat free diet - no idea if itwill help. I am also seeing a chiropractor neck problems but he is also trying a procedure on the diaghram area to see if that helps. I agree, your quality of life is affected so much, why don't doctors understand? Why do they insist the major issue is anxiety?! Its frustrating

    • donna38719
      donna38719 christine12299

      Posted

      Hi Christine

      That was a typing error I meant to type linx. This is a device that can be placed around the top of the stomach which will stop stomach acid from flowing the wrong way ie reflux.

    • sharon_60853
      sharon_60853 christine12299

      Posted

      Hi I agree the pain is horrible I have trouble breathing and get out of breath and get tired very easily I am just waiting for my admission date now for surgery they also diagnosed me having gord gastro asophegal reflux disease as well as a 10cm hiatus hernia a lot of inflammation in the asophegus stomach small intestine etc
    • donna38719
      donna38719 sharon_60853

      Posted

      Hi Sharon

      Which op did you get offered. I wish you all the best. Please let us know how you get on recovery etc.

      D

    • moy35996
      moy35996 christine12299

      Posted

      Hi sorry to jump into your conversation I've been told I've got a HH , I went to the dr as having flu 18 months ago I keep getting plemgn in my mouth I've had the reflux tablets not having any effect on it , I don't get chest pains or having difficulty breathing , just this horrid phlemgn , I've had proper reflux 3 times in 18 months , as anyone else out there had this problem , I can eat ok it's just after I've eaten it's there , I can chew gum & it goes , until I spit the gum out , I to have to have this 24 hr oesopheal ph testing in a couple of weeks time can't bear a orange stick at the back of my tongue av no idea how I'll cope feel sick at the thought of it , had the camera down throat which was horrid my blood pressure shot up to 165 ! 
  • emlou487
    emlou487 christine12299

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with a rolling hernia in March after an endoscopy,only to be told after a barium test in April it was not a hernia!

    I am sure it is and am still waiting for a follow up appointment at the hospital (thats th NHS for you)!

    Since this I have been experiencing difficulties breathing,especially being able to take a deep intake of breath!This ahs lead to me not being able to get my breath at all and then having major panic attacks,I even ended up in A&E!

    I would just like to know what is causing it and if there is anything that can be done?

  • jo45172
    jo45172 christine12299

    Posted

    I wish I could help you, I am also looking at surgery and I am getting up in age. Dr Aye at sweedish hospital in Seattle WA has a video with some explaining of different types of surgery. I have been told if surgery is done make sure the doctor has done many if them. I developed a severe breathing problem appox a year ago and it is not my lungs, doctors don't know the reason but I told them I thought it had to do with the hiatal hernia and the seem to agree, they have not come up with anything on their own. I will be going for consolation soon. I just typed dr Aye at sweedish in Seattle WA and he popped up. Best to you
  • bonita1429
    bonita1429 christine12299

    Posted

    Hello Christina12299,

    I am Bonita1429. I read your story and it is similar to mine and I sympathize with you. I suffered with a hiatus hernia for 7 years, not being able to be diagnosed. I also had trouble with breathing and had very bad acid reflux. I live in Maryland and I have been to most of the emergency rooms and also had visits with my gastroenterologist for years, but to no avail. I finally went to Johns Hopkins Hospital and was finally diognosed in a few hours. I had surgury about 2 1/2 months ago and i am doing well. I was in so much pain, the only option I had was to have surgery. I want you to know that my surgery was very successful. I had a hole the size of a silver dollar. I was a little afraid, but I went through it. Every one's body is not the same and you will ultimately have to make the decision for you. If you are a miner, you parents will. I am still healing from the incision, the acid reflux has not totally disappeared and my breathing is 100% better. I hope I have said something that will help you.

    • bonita1429
      bonita1429

      Posted

      bonita1429,

      I apologize for misspelling your name.

  • christine12299
    christine12299

    Posted

    Hi All,

    I lost the thread on this discussion a while ago....sorry. I have had less pain over the last 2 months no idea why unledd the Dosulopin I have been prescribed is helping although I am sufferning with bloating and IBS problems are back but happy to say I have had a little relief from the pain and discomfort for a few weeks. How is everyone else getting along? I have an appointment with a gastrointerologist soon the have a 24 house tube fitted to check my swallowing having already had my eosophagus stretched but it made no difference. 

  • DawnC79
    DawnC79 christine12299

    Posted

    I understand how you feel more than you know. I don't even know where to start. This pain is unbearable! I have had CT's, Barium swallows, ultrasounds,.... All show I had a moderate hiatal hernia. I recently had my gallbladder out in June (it's now October) & the surgeon who did my surgery saw my hernia & said it was quite large. He took pictures & I have these photos now.

    It's excruciating! It doesn't matter if I eat or don't eat. I have had to give up coffee, alcohol (been since January since I have had a drinking night), tomato sauce, spicy stuff, . . Lots of things!

    I am also a singer & this whole year I have been unable to sing --- because of the pain & the fact that I can't get enough sound out & my voice is always hoarse.

    I am also considering surgery but am really scared as I too have heard lots of scary stories.

    It feels like my chest is on fife & my intestines are all cramped & twisted inside me.

    Going crazy ????????😔😖

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.