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Home from endoscopy....what's a hiatal hernia?
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06-06-2003, 05:18 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1,080
Hysterectomy: June 25th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Home from endoscopy....what's a hiatal hernia?
Well, my GI doctor said that my manometry test(the one where I had the tube put through my nose and down my esophagus) came out positive, which means I do have alot of(actually he used the word "significant") acid reflux. The endoscopy turned out to be normal except for a small hiatal hernia......now he's talking about the possibility of surgery! So, here's the question....I was too drugged to ask the doctor......what is a hiatal hernia? It seems like I have read about it here before. I'll do a little internet research, but I'd like to hear from any of you that have any experience with this.
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06-06-2003, 07:17 PM
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Posts: 30,771
Hysterectomy: February 4th, 2002
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Home from endoscopy....what's a hiatal hernia?
Hi (((pasdechat))) I'm glad to hear you have a diagnosis as a result of the test. Here's a link to a great explanation of what a hiatal hernia is:
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/dige...tal/hiatal.htm
My DRs told me I had one when I was in my 20s, and somehow it 'resolved' over time with dietary and postural changes (slept with my head elevated). I was surprised to hear this could happen, but I haven't had the symptoms (severe heartburn) in about 20 years now.
Keep us posted about any further tests or what your DR recommends you do to treat this, OK?
s,
-Linda
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06-06-2003, 09:47 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1,080
Hysterectomy: June 25th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Home from endoscopy....what's a hiatal hernia?
Thanks, surferbabe, for the link. I am understanding it better now. It all makes more sence to me. It does feel good to me to know that there is something causing my pain. When the doctor told me that the manometry test came back positive, he said "so it's not in your head." I was thinking, "I never thought it was in my head, is that what you were thinking??????!!!!" I bit my tongue though. I thought it was a weird thing to say. Of course it's not in my head! He's a good doctor though. I like him. I will keep you posted about further tests/treatments. For right now, I am just going to take the Protonix and see if that helps. I need to really make an effort to eat better too. I think I need to do that before considering surgery. I tend to eat alot of chocolate and drink alot of Coke. That can't be good!
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06-07-2003, 12:01 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 4,889
Hysterectomy: May 15th, 2002
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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About that Coke:
Did you know that it's recommended for cleaning car battery terminals? Seriously, it's rough on the stomach...I wish my DH wasn't as addicted to it as he is, he might be more able to eat my good cooking. The chocolate is also high in acid, and can't help your IC much :cry:
I'm glad, in a weird way, that the pH probe came out with answers. The Protonix should work, but if it doesn't, there are a couple of other medications which also work very well. They all have few side effects; occasionally people will complain of constipation; but I've been taking Nexium since it came out. For the first time in years I could EAT again!!! They're all pretty good products. And yes, this could be the result of your prior eating problems.
As far as the hiatal hernia, often it's not too much trouble for people if they do some of the interventions that Linda discusses. Make gravity work for you; try to eat small meals (but I eat all the time ); don't go to bed until three hours, at least, following your last food. The combination of reflux and the hernia...as well as the hyper-acidity...often responds to these interventions. And eating healthier couldn't hurt the IC, either.
Another thing is to reconsider the BCPs you take as your HRT. Progestins often are implicated in reflux (my reflux was always worse at the portion of my cycle when progesterone was the highest). Prometrium doesn't seem to bother me as much as BCPs did, and seems to be balancing out my Vivelle Dot (estradiol) pretty well without aggravating these nasty symptoms.
I've been there, lost 20 lbs once due to an utter inability to eat anything without severe reflux. This was in the days before they had Protonix, Prilosec, and the like, and I suffered along for years before my first gastroscopy. But the meds are truly wonder-workers, and I hope that you're able to find relief with their use alone.
-- and glad it's all over!!! See, aren't you glad you went through with it all??????
Audrey
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06-07-2003, 08:16 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 1,207
Hysterectomy: October 17th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Home from endoscopy....what's a hiatal hernia?
Not much to add after (((Audrey's))) wonderful post. But, I am glad that these tests found something that will most likely improve with treatment. Prilosec and Nexium are excellent meds. Took the Prilosec about 5 years ago to heal an ulcer and took the Nexium post hyst for bladder irritation. It worked like a charm...no idea why, but it did. Good luck (((Pasdechat))) and keep us posted.
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06-07-2003, 10:32 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 479
Hysterectomy: May 6th, 2003
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Home from endoscopy....what's a hiatal hernia?
YEP I KNOW THE FEELING!!! I had suffered with Gerd for ?? years, It got to the point that it was so bad I would wake up choking, when I would bend or lift I would get that reflux!! Now it has been 2 years since my Endosopy, got so bad that I had swallowing difficulty!! I had a stricture & a moderate hiatal hernia. Aciphex is my drug of choice and is working well. One thing- talk to your Anesthesiologist, I was impressed with mine- he gave me the "full meal deal" (his words)
so that I would not have any uncomfortable side effects (nausea or reflux). I have noticed since my hyster my hiatal hernia has been worse but For now the refux is under control AS LONG AS I TAKE MT ACIPHEX.
Best of luck
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06-07-2003, 11:33 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 890
Hysterectomy: June 4th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Hi Pasdechat.........
I think you took your DR's comment very well............I think I would have been offended.
As for the hiatal hernia, I had an endoscopy when they were trying to diagnose my bowel problems and didn't find anything in the colonoscopy. My Dr told me at the time that I had a hiatal hernia, I don't remember the exact number but he said a very large percentage of people have these and don't even know it. I had no idea, I'd had occasional heartburn and that is still all I have. My GI Dr told me that many times hiatal hernias can be adjusted and ssomtimes cured by a chiropractor. I know, I know sounded odd to me too. He said that, manipulation of the spine into proper alignment and therefore better posture can allow the portion of the stomach that has traveled up through the diagraphm to move it's way back down where it belongs. I also found a website that confirmed this and also had a directory to help find a chiropractor in your area who was skilled in this sort of adjustment. I think it was the hernia institute or somthing like that, If you'd like, I can do another search and see if I can find it. I agree that you shouldn't rush into surgery as your first option.
Sorry for the novel and glad that you have received at least some answers to your problems. I hope you continue to find answers. Good Luck. 's
Dawn
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06-08-2003, 09:15 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 298
Hysterectomy: March 5th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Home from endoscopy....what's a hiatal hernia?
Hi all did you have alot of coughing, I have been coughing up something not blood for about two weeks, went to doc and now she has me taking prilosec twice a day for two weeks and then back to doc. Just wanted to know if you all had the coughing too, mine is not at night though.
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06-08-2003, 09:20 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 298
Hysterectomy: March 5th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Home from endoscopy....what's a hiatal hernia?
oops I meant prevacid not the other.
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