Hiatus Hernia and Gastritis

[Hpaddict]

I was recently diagnosed with gastritis once again, lost count how many times I have had it in the last 6 years. Doctors have changed my omeprazole to lansoprazole to see if that helps, given me anti-sickness medication and a liquid to try each time after I've eaten to try and stop the pain. She is also referring me to a gastroentorologist, but that could take months or even longer.

i found out my gastritis is being caused by a hiatus hernia, but they won't do anything to fix the hernia. I never had gastritis before the hernia and have lost count how many times I've now had it. i am now scared to eat, as every time I eat and drink I get more pain, am in pain when I don't eat and have heartburn all the time.

I have been told in the meantime to only eat plain foods and drink water or coffee only. It is affecting my mental health. Does anyone have any tips for reducing the pain with gastritis? How long the referral might take? And what I can try and eat in the meantime, so I can eat without fearing I am going to be in more pain as am scared to eat because every time I do I get more pain.

Any tips would be most helpful as I need to find a way to cope with this, as at the moment I can't, and don't want to keep feeling the way I do.

[Hpaddict]

As am really struggling to eat and even drink because of the pain I am in and the heartburn and sour/bitter taste in my mouth and I don't know what to do.

[AMerchant in reply to Hpaddict]

Hi

How did you know that you have hiatus hernia, because that is usually diagnosed by endoscopy?

What other liquid has your doctor prescribed?

Usually I have found that taking higher dose of PPI for a few weeks and then reducing the dose helps. Also going to bland and easy to digest diet is very important during flare ups.

Ask you doctor to test for H pylori bacteria as it can mess up digestive system.

Lastly see a gastroenterologist in private if you can afford it. The sooner you get the correct diagnosis the better. I have found GPs just guessing when it comes to stomach issues

[Hpaddict in reply to AMerchant]

I found out I had a hiatus hernia via various endoscopes over the years including my last one in 2021. My doctor confirmed that the hernia is causing my bouts of gastritis. She said she will refer me to gastroentrologist because I have had so many bouts of gastritis now to see if they can help. They gave me lanzapraole, take 2 a day for a week and then 1 a day, as been on omeprazole for years so they changed that medication. They gave me anti-sickness medication and also gaviscon advanced liquid, to take 2 tsps after I have eaten and before bed.

[Soaping]

Hi Hpaddict,I guess everyone is different but i have the same and had the same problems including barretts esophagus ppis did me no good so came off had a gentle diet no caffeine etc , drank slippry elm powder a few times a day took gaviscon double action after meals and before bed. It took a little while but now have been gree of symtoms for a year and pray it continues i eat healthy where possible and have a morning coffee. For me ppis made it worse. I wish you luck on your journey as i know how miserable and fed up it makes you feel. Xx

[Hpaddict in reply to Soaping]

Thanks, I appreciate your support and reply. It is very annoying, as my gastritis goes away after a while with the help of medication but then always comes back at some point.

[ParkSchool5]

Hi, I also have Gastritis and Hiatal hernia. I know how miserable it can be and how dreadfully it affects your day to day life. One can easily get depressed. I have found eating little and often helps, so the gastric juices have something to work on rather than gnaw away at your stomach lining. Things like a slice of bread and jam, a few crackers with Philadelphia, a piece of cake or a few custard cream biscuits. For main meal something like a salmon fillet with rice or potato and some any green vegetable. Keep away from anything like tomatoes, pickles, garlic etc. I also find milky things help, I have a couple of yogurts a day to help line the stomach. I drink water or milky tea. I find coffee makes it worse. Best of luck, hope you find some relief soon.

[Hpaddict in reply to ParkSchool5]

Thanks, I appreciate your support and reply. Yes, it is getting me down because of how often i seem to get gastritis. I get given meds that help to calm the inflammation down and then months later I am back in the same boat. I didn't have gastritis issues before I was diagnosed with the hernia, only since then.

[Bluey99]

I have a 5cm sliding hiatus hernia. I was on Omeprazole for a number of years prior to diagnosis and it seemed to cause more problems than it solved towards the end. I have weaned myself off it and have not taken for about 6 months now. I made life style changes in order to control my reflux. I worked out what my food triggers were by starting with a really bland diet then adding things back in. It takes time but now I know if I make the choice to eat certain foods I will get it. I also eat much less than I used to. I try and avoid the feeling of a full stomach. I have lost weight (through eating less and exercising more. My wife and I do a lot of walking and I also swim and cycle). I do not eat for the 3 hours before I go to bed. I used to get reflux during the night.

If I do feel like it is coming on I use gaviscon extra. While not eradicating it completely it does help a lot.

I know we all experience different things with it but you can control it. There is a lot of trial and error involved…

Hope this helps

[Joseyblue]

hi, I also have Histus Hernia, sliding. I take esomeprazole 20mg daily, take it 30mins before breakfast. Seems to do the trick. Different PPIs might make a difference.