My wife has had pneumonia 6 times in 11 months they have discovered this is due to her enlarged hiatus hernia which overspills into lungs

[Hazpet]

And causes bacteria in her lungs has anybody heard of this before

[Sohara]

I have heard of someone who has food going into their lungs, not sure how or why it gets in there, but they have been very ill for many years with this condition...sorry I cannot be more help

[Hazpet in reply to Sohara]

Thanks for your comment

[pergola1 in reply to Hazpet]

I was diagnosed with a "massive" hiatus hernia some years ago. I have bronchiectasis, asthma, and COPD? I believe that the HH can affect the performance of the lungs. They cant expand so much. I have lost around 3-4" in height which could have caused this problem. I do have frequent chest infections and am constantly on antibis. I do believe, anatomically speaking, that the two conditions together can affect the body. That is my opinion ONLY.

My appetite is quite small. I choose my foods carefully. I have decreased "chew" due to dental problems. I wont eat after around 6pm.

If I feel acid, I will deliberately make myself sick. (Is this wise?)

These are my thoughts, Haznut.

[Hazpet in reply to pergola1]

My wife also has your conditions copd asthma bronchiectasis she also has been told not to eat after 5.30pm she spent Xmas in hospital suffering from her latest bout of pneumonia.

[peege]

.I'm so sorry your wife is unwell.

Her story immediately rang my bell. I also had pneumonia 5 times in less than 18 months followed by 4 years of chronic broncitis. My GPs suspected bronchiectasis for quite a while and it took ages to get a CT scan via hospital consultant.

Before I found the BLF I searched out all the information I could find about bronchiectasis and I recall reading that debris overflowing from the stomach with acid can be one of the causes.

If I still have the info I will post it for your attention.

In the meantime I strongly urge your wife to insist on a CT scan of her lungs so that any diagnosis can be made. It will show everthing especially the damage caused by the pneumonias.

I consider myself very lucky in that the damage in my lungs is minimal and over the last year I've learnt lots to help myself.

Also she can get advice from ringing the helpline 03000 030 555, office hours, they are brilliant.

Good luck, Peeg

[Hazpet in reply to peege]

Thanks Peeg , she has had a CT scan that's how discovered the large hiatus hernia they have now recommending urgent surgery to repair the hernia as any further bouts of pneumonia could have possible fatal consequences

[ptliverpool in reply to Hazpet]

Bronchiectasis and Gastric Reflux and hiatus hernia quite often go together. I have had reflux for years and now I have bronchiectasis I don't think this is a coincidence. My mother also suffered from a hiatus hernia and my Son has reflux. (is this family trait usual?)

[Egomatt in reply to ptliverpool]

I have also have reflux it burns my throat, I cough a lot and it makes my asthma much worse it's been hard for me to distinguish between the two conditions as I feel one aggravates the other, constant bloating after meals it's driving me nuts!!! Hiates hernia also runs in my family I had MRI scan but nothing found ?

[peege in reply to Hazpet]

oh dear, have they given her the pneumonia vaccination yet? Since I had the jab I've not had full blown pneumonia.

I do hope all goes well for her.

[Hazpet in reply to peege]

Yes she has been booked in later this month for a booster pneumonia jab. Thanks regards Hazpet

[helingmic in reply to Hazpet]

I have a small hiatus hernia and bronchiectasis. I do take Lansoprazole (This is the same as Omiprazole; one is made in the UK, the other in France! but same drug)

What I have tried is to buy non dairy acidophilus. It might help with regulating the acidity by adding "friendly bacteria" in the system (my own opinion!)

If your HH is so big, would you or the consultant considering an operation. You could ask for referral to a gastroenterologist ; he deals with that sort of thing Hope you find a solution to this unpleasant problem.

[Hazpet in reply to helingmic]

Thanks she is awaiting to see consultant in regards to operating on her hiatus hernia which will hope help her , pneumonia 6 times in 11 months is a more than one can take she is very weak . Regards Hazpet

[Maximonkey]

Hi Hazpet, I too suffered badly from a very large HH which was causing reflux. I too began to have pneumonia very regularly and for 2 years I was in and out of hospital every 6-8 weeks, I had very scan and test imaginable. My Consultant explained I had a colony (the size of a sausage, at the base of my right lung, which meant when I was asleep if I experienced reflux it spilled into the lungs and caused infection). By this time I was experiencing infections every month and I was very weak. The Consultant said we would need to begin all the tests again as obviously something had been missed. Shortly after our hospital received a new CT scanner and I was first to use it. It showed I had Bronchiectasis. I was very scared when the diagnosis was made as I did not know what Bronchiectasis was and if it was going to get worse. I needn't have worried it meant my Consultant could now give me the correct meds including Azithromycin an antibiotic I take 3 times a week. Since then I have not had pneumonia and apart from flu and few viruses which can come to all of us, I have been well. I attend an Immunology clinic every year to have my immunity checked and sometimes I require a top-up injection but I feel good, I am not the full of energy person I was but as long as I do not overdo things I can enjoy life. If your wife has not got an Asthma Consultant I strongly advise you to ask your GP for a referral immediately. Good luck and please let me know how your wife gets on. Maximonkey.

[Hazpet in reply to Maximonkey]

Will do thanks Hazpet

[Hidden]

Hi Hazpet,I had probs.with a large hiatus hernia A few years ago had the operation,& what a relief, the breathing was so much better after it. I see you said, she is going to have the op.I think she will find things so much better after it,good luck with it all! Best wishes to both of you,love Wendells xx

[Hazpet in reply to Hidden]

Thanks hopefully all will go well I am hoping the operation will be carried out urgently regards Hazpet

[Hazpet in reply to Hidden]

Thanks hopefully all will go well I am hoping the operation will be carried out urgently regards Hazpet