Hiatal hernia

[Judley]

Hi, I was having a ripping pain mainly under my left breast. I was given an endoscopy over a year ago. It showed a hietus hernia but the GI said it was benign and didn't feel the ripping was digestive. I kept going back to the GP because over the months the ripping feeling got worse. I felt so frustrated I was upset, I explained that both my parents had aneurysms before they passed & heart disease in the family. I also had heart failure over 20 years ago. The female GP told me Not to come back as they'd done a CT scan of thoracic area, heart and for some reason pelvis. However this was over 6 months. She said if I came back she'd send me away with anti depressants because there wasn't anything. She said you can imagine pain! A couple of days ago I kept getting striking pains every so often just under my breast. I have a feeling something is not right in my chest, discomfort in my left shoulder blade and then the pain got so I couldn't take a deep breath. It has actually cleared a bit now but I have the occasional stab & the ripping on and off. The GI said that he will do an MRI but when I was booking it they said he's only looking at the small bowel?! Not sure what use that is though I appreciate his help as GP is not listening. Does this sound like a hietus hernia, heart problem or a muscle strain does anyone know. I am terrified of the first two options. Thanks for reading this far

[kev60]

Hi Judley, I to have a Hiatus hernia (3cm sliding). when it was discovered it was just below my diaphragm and i was referred to gi surgery after another endoscope they said i did not have a hernia. this confused me and when i looked into it i could not find any disappeared so after some discussions i had another endoscope there it was above the diaphragm. when it slides up it causes no end of pain(have not worked out what makes it move yet) as I have GORD when it slides up the acid comes up with it. I am now on a watch list for surgery although medication is controlling the reflux, do you suffer with reflux. I cannot believe your gp is that bad. pain is real you know your own body. I also have an enlarged aorta and that is under review if it gets any bigger they will operate my dad had a aortic aneurysms measuring 90mm almost burst but had surgery to get it fixed. you can always get a second opinion . i also suffer with multiple pain abdominal , chest and spine most they say are non medical so its just a case of living with it the best you can an try different pain meds i am currently on 8x paracetamol , 30mirogram bunov patches and codeine as a back up. i know its hard but you just have to keep on at the medics to get the service you need. good luck. kevin

[Judley in reply to kev60]

Thanks Kevin, I don't really suffer from reflush, just occasional food coming up if a big meal or bending over which my hubby and daughter has who's only 19 so I'm concerned it could be something else and the GP isn't really listening. I had big red flags of heart failure 20 years ago and not one Dr or nurse spotted it until after phoning what was then the National Health Helpline landed me in hospital. Even the paramedics said I was having a panic attack, still took me to hospital but, did NO checks nor gave aspirin. Unfortunately the Hospital took the opinions of others and paramedic. It was only when they hooked me up & all the machines were binging and HR, BP & oxygen were all out was I believed. I was pouring with sweat, swollen everywhere and had a respiratory arrest there on the trolley bed. I woke up in ICU days later, intubated on full life support. So you can see my dilemma of whether to trust again what they're saying. They even thought that was in my head too! Luckily shortly before I sparked, the female Dr who saved my life heard the fluid without a stethoscope yet the paramedic said it was me having a panic attack and refused oxygen in the ambulance. You can see why I don't much trust them either yet we are at their mercy and hope to find good ones in looking for answers. This pain is like a ripping pain, was yours like that? It comes and goes & occasional stab in my chest. I do get gurgling aswell so it's hard to say which it is. My hernia measured 4, he said it was benign. They do slide in & out which is why they can be missed. They don't usually cause problems for most but when you start with pain they say it can get worse over time. Usually pain is not to be ignored but a warning sign something's up

[kev60 in reply to Judley]

hi, it can be a lottery as to the help you get. when this all started in 2018 i just used to see whoever was available at the time, but now i try and see one GP and over the few years it seems to work if i see another gp they will refer to him for info on me. I have what I call three pain centres , the abdominal pain is like someone is twisting my gut my chest pain feels like a heavy weight with occasional stabbing pain. And my back feels like i am fusing together I have bone spurs growing off my spine into my chest( doc's say its nothing ) and my bones grate together. when I was diagnosed with FND the thing the banged into you was it was real this was because alot of medical people do not know about it , my walking gives it away most timeswhen i walk into a wall or fall through an open door. you get pain with FND in the weirdest places arms, legs, sides . I have always thought if I have pain any where and it last more than 7 days I get it checked out, it maybe nothing like pulled muscle between ribs can feel really bad like they are broken(but it turns out just a strain). sorry i seem to be rambling but the upshot is if you feel in pain more than 7 days get it investigated it does not hurt anyone and you may get your answers. good luck. kevin

[Judley in reply to kev60]

Thank you, my pain is a ripping pain mainly under my left breast but occasionally middle slightly to the right and left shoulder pain. I've had some pain in my back and going up to my neck. The back pain mirrors & at the same time as the front pain. I don't get any tummy pain. I wish I knew what it was to get it treated. I also get occasional stabbing pain under breast. I noticed today I moved a certain way though & it hurt. I also couldn't breathe in deep a few times. I've been extremely tired and felt like my arms and legs just wanted to drop. It's a puzzle alright. I will keep on to the GP but did threaten me not to come back yet now I have these new symptoms. I know I'm not imagining it like she thinks. Thanks again

[kev60 in reply to Judley]

hi, do you only have the one GP? my practice has about five and a few locums and students. i remember i pick one GP and i kept trying to see her when i had a problem but my luck she moved on so i picked another and try my best to see him when sick, but now he knows me and my multiple problems( there is one GP although good just has no bedside manner). i find if i make a suggestion i will always say what do you think of what ever so its their idea, if you know what i mean. good luck in the future hope all goes well, if i can help i will. I have been through quite alot in the past 5 years over 20 scans , 100+ blood tests and various therapy's. when i think back i have had 7 endoscopes both ends in the last five years( and very few answers, usually find other things wrong lol) bye, best wishes kevin

[Judley in reply to kev60]

Thanks for your kindness. More GPs but they visit illegal immigrants for 3 days a week at all the local once beautiful hotels for weddings, functions so it limits us plus a backlog of getting tests, procedures done

[focused1]

Can’t diagnose but like Kev60 says keep going back or ditch a potential holiday and pay privately for 2nd opinion . 2016 - similar but not ever said heart problem . I had plenty of gruelling tests and diagnosis was hiatus hernia . Mine was more digesting food and like you mentioned bending down , chest pain in same area . Was put on a cocktail of drugs but chatting to many whilst waiting in out patient clinics those drugs might of caused other issues such as stomach ulcers so warned to get off them ASAP . Luckily day surgery and better eating plan has worked. In Jan 2018 I had hiatus hernia repair . Now 63 I am still feeling a new person . Mentally and physically I was a mess with no confidence or control of anything. Mutterings of menopausal, accepting I wasn’t getting any younger etc -now I do feel younger . Sadly all I can recommend is diary everything, go to someone else . You are worth it . This pain is rarely psychological.

[Judley in reply to focused1]

Thank you. Yes I'll keep on. Was yours a ripping pain? It feels like something sticking in my back when I lie down now but gone when I sit up. Weird. My legs and arms are so weak and I can't stop falling asleep. Had to treble my BP medication yet they don't think to look why has it gone up!

[focused1]

Oh -don’t remind me of the frightening pain . I used to slide sideways out of bed and stand upright like Frankenstein. Can find moments of amusement as a coping strategy! The weakness affected my work . My husband loved a good walk . I used to shuffle at the side of him hoping to find a cafe . No drink just a perch . Yes - affects 25/7 in some ways . Monitor all and date all . You are clearly suffering. If you can you need another set of professionals . Using meds as a prop can’t be good .

[Judley in reply to focused1]

Thanks for your reply. I can probably rule out heart then, I suppose that's something. I was worried cos we have heart disease and aorta problems in the family. Dad had his fixed but mum passed away with hers

[focused1 in reply to Judley]

Can't say as from what you have written I would check this out frequently . I have never felt foolish seeking medical advice . I feel I have quite strong bones but a scan when I broke my ankle a few years ago caused concern for a DEXA scan . I now ask about once every 2 years for them . Prevention is better than cure and I feel GPs are too busy to give that personal update anymore . I am now 63 and want to be aware of what I have wrong or what may be coming my way . I have upped my calcium levels via my food intake now I am aware but want bone density scans to be reasonably monitored.