Can't get relief from hatial hernia pain, causing me to lose hope

[Elizabeth04]

Idk what to do for this pain. I'm tired of having chest pain so bad it feels like a heart attack. I've been doing really great lately but this has got me down.

Has anyone overcome hiatal hernia pain??

[Judipat]

Hi Elizabeth

Sorry to hear you are having horrible chest pain.

I've got a sliding hiatus hernia and also got GERD/GERD. I do get chest pain now and again, also nausea and I could burp for England!! Anxiety also can cause chest pain.

Have you had all the usual tests, ecg, chest x-ray etc. I'm sure there is nothing wrong, but these would put your mind at rest etc.

Knowing what you can and cannot eat, eating little and often and never after about 6 in the evening is the only advice I can give you.

Try not to stress about it as it will make it worse.

Take care

Judi

[Elizabeth04 in reply to Judipat]

Thank you so much for your reply!

I have had all the test and have come back clear 🙂 Thank you for the advice!

I have also been told in the past that I have a chest wall strain so it's hard to differentiate between the two. I do burp quite a lot and get nauseous as well

I'm only 25 so I'm hoping I can find a way to manage this so I can get on with my life without being in pain and worrying 🙂

[Jeff1943]

Elizabeth, my wife has a hiatus hernia and experiences bad centre chest pain, nausea and breathlessness caused by the hernia pressing on the diaphram. I'm trying to persuade her and her doctor to do the keyhole surgery to push whatever it is back in place instead of just juggling with the tablets. She's persuaded the doctor to send her for another gastroscope to see if the hetnia has grown larger.

My suggestion to you is the same as to my wife, have the procedure and there's every chance you'll be pain free for the rest of your life. In her case it started the day after she had an angiogram prior to stenting 11 years ago, I believe that procedure caused the hernia, there was a lot of pulling and pushing.

[Elizabeth04 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you Jeff! My gastro dr told me basically there is nothing to be done about it but take the Zantac and gi cocktail for the rest of my life.

I was thinking surly there is something that can be done! I'm going to look into the surgery. He told me mine is caused by my last pregnancy, he was a big baby and I carried him high for a long time causing my stomach to push up into my esophagus I believe. I think it's actually gotten worse either from my endoscopy(which involved invading and aggravating the area I'm sure) or from the medication

I hope your wife feels better soon, it's not fun that's for sure!

[Sandy1710 in reply to Elizabeth04]

Hi Elizabeth. I too have had all tests done and am all clear but my acid reflux gives me bad pains and feeling in my chest. Sometimes a feeling of being full when I haven't eaten. I amno ow on tablets for those. Perhaps we could start up a choir as I can also burp all day long. Laying down is a no no for me too. It makes me worry about heart again so much. How would I know if I have a hernia??

[Elizabeth04 in reply to Sandy1710]

Haha that's funny about the choir! Yes mine strikes up fear about my heart as well, my gastro dr said that the pain very much mimics heart attack pain 🙄

You will have to get a endoscopy done to find it

[Sandy1710]

What did your doc say about mimicking pain?? This may give me some reassurance i've just started on the Omeprazole let's see how that does for me. But it's horrible isn't it. Like confused wether I'm hungry or full or feel sick or sometimes I don't know what is going on 😂

[Elizabeth04 in reply to Sandy1710]

He just said that the pain that a hernia causes makes people think they are having a heart attack because it hurts so bad

I'm only 25 and I've been to the er a few times thinking I'm having heart attack just to get the all clear. But it was all from my hernia thankfully

[Sandy1710 in reply to Elizabeth04]

Yeah I'm 25 too and I had the exact same. Was during a night out had a panic attack and since then I've developed major health anxiety. (So I'm told) would love another ecg for good measure though!

[Elizabeth04 in reply to Sandy1710]

I too have health anxiety and panic disorder. It's gotten wayyyy better lately after dealing with this for a year. Acceptance is the first step 🙂

[Jeff1943]

Elizabeth, I don't think the endoscope will have aggravated the hernia, highly unlikely I'd say. But if your doctor isn't open to suggestions of an operation that will bring relief for life then do get pushy, demabd a referral to a gastroenterologist and see if they think it could solve the problem.

[Hidden]

My mother had such a hernia and acid reflux. We raised the bed headboard a few inches by putting secured wood plank under it. It really helped her at night.

[Elizabeth04 in reply to Hidden]

Good idea! Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Elizabeth04]