Hiatal Hernia, who has one, who lives with it, who chose an operation?

[KBC]

I’m still a little in shock here, had a scope back in November, the report said Hiatal Hernia and Shatzis ring. He used a balloon to open the restriction that was causing, and I was delighted to be able to swallow properly again. Already though I am getting symptoms of the oesophagus getting upset, and chatting to my surgeon yesterday he said the hernia is quite large, and definitely a candidate for surgery.

He is doubling my meds to see if that controls the reflux, and I will tweak my diet again to see if that helps. It seems though the the chronic cough and asthma symptoms I have been having could be related to the hernia.

My family, including the nurse practitioner. And nursing friends seem to think surgery is a good idea, as does husband. I seem to be the only one going “err let me think about this” It sounds like the recovery is tough, as in liquid diet for a while, no lifting etc. But how long would I need to be out of the saddle? This is an important question, and yes up to my surgeon ultimately, but would like to get some experience of those who have had it fixed.

[Marmendariz]

Don’t hesitate to have the surgery. I too had a hiatal hernia and still have a shatski ring around my esophagus. I have had the balloon intervention at least a dozen times and I have had the hiatal hernia surgery twice. My only suggestion is to make sure that you have a gastro surgeon, who may also specialize in bariatric surgery, perform the surgery. Do not use a general surgeon. That was my mistake the 1st time around and he botched it. My stomach ended up slipping up through the band that they make in the top of your stomach to wrap around the bottom of your esophagus to keep your stomach from herniating back into your chest. When my stomach slipped back up through the band, the band strangulated the top half of my stomach, cutting off the blood supply to that upper part of my stomach. A year later, a gastro surgeon went in to repair the botch and had to remove half my stomach that was dying off. Don’t mean to scare you but just make sure the surgeon is competent and has performed a number of these surgeries. My 2nd surgeon saved my life and gave me my life back. I was off a horse for 4 months before I got the ok to ride again. I would take the next 2 months easy and not put yourself in a position to get bucked off or jerked around. Definitely do not jump!
My hiatal hernia is hereditary. My grandmother died in 1951 when her stomach herniated and choked. My father had his fixed in the '80s. They opened him up through his back and went in through his ribcage to repair it. I had my 2 surgeries in 2013. They were both laproscopic and minimally invasive. I had very little post op pain. The added bonus to the surgery is that you will likely lose weight and keep it off because your stomach won’t be as big post surgery. Both my father and I lost significant amount of weight. I have never regretted having the surgery and my quality of life since then is significantly improved! I would get it done ASAP and not angst about it anymore. You do not want to choke to death like my grandmother. That’s what motivated me!! Also I keep a SaveLix pump in my house, my car and my truck in case I choke. Especially important at this time of the year when pollen and allergens are blowing through the air. My throat starts to swell from allergens and I recently choked on a piece of chicken and had to use mine to dislodge the chicken. Easier and cheaper than a trip to the ER! Good luck!! The surgery will be life changing! Oh by the way I no longer have to take reflux meds like protonix(prilosec)or zantac!

SaveLix

[KBC]

You make an important point, my Dad died from care of the oesophagus at only 64 years old, I’m 68 this year, so you’ll preemptive strike maybe. If it gives me a ‘cut price’ weight loss surgery, maybe it’s worth it, just for that. Maybe I can shrink into smaller horses next year!

[fanfayre]

Can I ask a few questions here?
What made you/your doctor decide to scope? How long had you been suffering asthma symptoms? How much were those symptoms affecting your daily life? Did the hernia cause you any pain in addition to the reflux?

You may have solved the mystery of my more than 4-year long investigation into why I have had constant shortness of breath but over 100% lung capacity, low-grade cough, and regular reflux!
I’ve even been seeing a naturopath and cut out many food types (I miss cheese and eggs and cashews and gluten ) and still they are recurring. But I never have stomach pain or digestive issues 🤷🏻. If this is similar to your experiences, I can suggest it to both my GP and naturopath and see where it leads.

Thank you, thank you , thank you !

[Graymaresrule]

You would think persistent reflux would warrant investigation but often it doesn’t.
I had it for years and a low FODMAP diet helped some but it took persistent complaints on my part to get a scope. It found Barretts esophagus and a 4 cm hiatal hernia.
Spell check wants to change hiatal to mistake…one of its stranger substitutions.

[KBC]

@fanfayre

Can I ask a few questions here?
What made you/your doctor decide to scope? How long had you been suffering asthma symptoms? How much were those symptoms affecting your daily life? Did the hernia cause you any pain in addition to the reflux?

I asked for investigation because I was having trouble swallowing, and it felt like there was lump. I have had meds for acid reflux a couple of times, but never thought it was a real issue.

It’s only now that I am putting together the breathing issues, with reflux, and daring to believe that maybe my shortness of breath isn’t just being a fat, unfit old lady…but a fat, unfit old lady with a hernia!

[fanfayre]

That’s exactly how I feel!!

[Lizrd]

I have similar things going on. Out of breath, wheezy, chronic cough, etc. Mine fluctuates a bit during the day with morning being better than evening. It is worth looking into!

[iberianfan]

Reviving this thread. I’ve just been diagnosed with a large hiatal hernia. I feel just like you! Relieved to know why I’m short of breath, etc.
So, I read not to wear tight clothes, a belt… Riding britches?? My symptoms seem to have gotten a lot worse over the last few months, with riding being a huge aggravation.

When I ride, I get extremely nauseous. That’s followed by intestinal cramps and several hours of diarrhea. I had, in my mind, already linked tight britches with stomach discomfort. However, the shortness of breath was a mystery, but no longer.

I am trying faithfully to eat right. Sometimes, it seems to make no difference. I am riding much less and not enjoying it much.

I melted down in my own pity party a couple of days ago. Who has had the surgery and was it worth it? What made you decide to go ahead?

I’m not convinced the diarrhea is not connected as it occurs together with acid, painful stomach.

He!p!I any advice welcome.

Edit to add: I reread this and see that @Marmendariz had some very good information. I have a Dr appt in July with my pcp. I may see if I can move that up.

[StormyDay]

I got the surgery 3ish years ago and it was 100% worth it. I used to have horrible heartburn and acid reflux. The surgery completely cured it. I went from always having to have a supply of tums on me and being unable to eat a bunch of foods to never, ever, having heartburn.
Strangely enough the surgery also helped a lot with my IBS.

The surgery itself was easy and recovery was super fast. I’m an anesthesia lightweight so that knocked me on my butt the day of, but the next day I was out walking around and feeling pretty normal. I never needed any pain meds. They told me no lifting anything over 15 lbs the first month and then nothing over 50 the second. I could ride at a month out.

The biggest thing for after the surgery is eat slowly. Way slower than you’re used to. There’s swelling for literally months after the surgery at the hernia site and if you eat too fast it kind of backs up in your esophagus and hurts badly. It goes away after 6-8 months.

[iberianfan]

Thank you! This is what I needed to know. My IBS has gotten so bad. Riding triggers it severely, taking all the joy out of it plus not sure if I will get to the bathroom in time. I consulted Dr. Google and apparently the hernia can add to IBS symptoms and diarrhea.

I can’t live without Tums, Pepto, omeprazole…calling my doc today.

[Bluey]

I was born with a very large hiatal hernia no one knew about until in my mid 30’s.
One problem with those is that it can affect your voice box, all that acid reflux inflammation and your voice gets raspy, how they found mine.
After 8 years of Nexium, have been since managing by how and what I eat and Tums and have been able to keep things quiet.
Had esophagus stretched twice and gastroenterologist said no more, just manage it or surgery.
I know of two that had surgery, one doing fine, the other now sensitive to animal proteins, has to eat vegan.
Surgery helped with her weight and she tells me, when she knows she is dying, she will eat the biggest steak ever.

Interesting surgery can help that much with other digestive problems.

[KBC]

I chatted to my surgeon again, and we have decided not to opt for surgery, well not yet. He wants me to adapt my diet, and keep a symptom diary, see if we can manage it without going for surgery.

I am content with our decision, the risk/reward at the moment says wait. My only concern is that I don’t “age out” of the option to fix it, 68 in a couple of months, which feels at one time insanely old, and at others a mere child!

[iberianfan]

How old/young do you have to be? I didn’t know there was an “age out”. I have an appointment with my PCP on Thursday.

[Bluey]

@iberianfan

How old/young do you have to be? I didn’t know there was an “age out”. I have an appointment with my PCP on Thursday.

Don’t know, but a friend’s brother had at 75 that operation, called a fundectomy, where they wrap the upper part of the stomach, the fundus, around the bottom of the esophagus and anchor it in place.
One caveat, it makes way harder to throw up, if you ever need to.
He has been trouble free and very happy with the results, for his troubles, may not be the same for others.

[KBC]

I don’t know, I’m just a natural worrier, would hate not to go ahead with something, only to be told, when it feels that you really need it done, “sorry to late”