Discussions

Just wanting to know what others do about a hiatus hernia. How long have you had one? How did they determine you have one? What are your symptoms and triggers. It seemed to take a long time to a get a diagnosis even though I told several doctors what my symptoms were.

10 years ago. seems to me a scope was done to determine for sure. I have lots of issues lots of tests. but I did get a video to watch and seems there is a simple blood test that would tell you for sure. but they do not do this often. instead they make u go through scopes and scans.

Depending on the size of the hernia even a simple chest X-ray can help in diagnosing one.

Many years to count. Had a gastroscopy. Not sure how a blood test could diagnose it, but medicine has come a long way so who knows. Eating non spicy foods help and I eat rolaids. Put a block of wood under the headboard legs and it will help reduce the reflux.

Was have GI issues back in 2008, so I was given a gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Colonoscopy was normal, but go figure, I was told I have a hiatus hernia. I have never had any symptoms though.

I''''ve been sort of prone to hernias right from the time I was born, so have always taken an interest about nearly any type of hernia I hear about. Was having a big problem with heartburn and acid reflux a few years back, and since I had gained a fair amount of weight in the midsection it was suggested that I might have a hiatus hernia, but it is something hard to diagnose with out doing a barium test.  
Here is the site I like to use when checking medical things out, and it does a great job of explaining things,as well as symptoms, and tests.  
 
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/hiatal-hernial  
 
I guess I should add that if your the kind of person,who when they add that extra weight in your abdominal cavity, just losing 10-15 lbs can make a big difference, seems if I keep my weight under a certain number, I'm not bothered by heartburn but still have a certain amount of acid reflux.  
 
Edited by don brown, 2017-01-05 21:55:23

I was eventually diagnosed about 4 years ago. My symptoms were shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight loss, which were not your typical signs and caused a misdiagnosis of anxiety that took some time to get rid of (actually I was just aspirating acid and burning my lungs!). Eventually through persistent visits to a doctor I got scoped and since a fee weeks after starting on PPIs I've been fairly okay.  
 
I definitely have triggers - tomatoes are a big one, as are chocolate and alcohol. If I want to indulge, I need to do it early in the day. A large meal or a meal too close to bedtime is worse than a tomato- heavy meal.  
 
I'm a healthy weight and a nonsmoker, so I'm already doing the right things there. Really I'm just biding my time managing symptoms until a better surgical repair is easily available.

I had mine diagnosed approximately 6 years ago. Severity of the hernia dictates whether or not they will operate as it can actually leave the area weaker than it was if not bad enough. I take omeprazole, trade name Losec twice daily and it keeps everything under control for the most part. Weight loss definitely helped me. Learning your triggers and avoiding them before bed are a big help.