[Guest]

Hi! I haven't been on the board in a couple of weeks. I had an upper GI barium x-ray swallow last week. It showed I have a moderately large hiatal hernia. The report says that it is nonreducible and paraesophageal. Apparently, that means it is not the sliding type of hiatal hernia because it causes me quite a bit of difficulty in swallowing food. Food seems to "stick" in the lower esophagus. I do not have too much trouble with acid reflux. My doctor gave me Prevacid, but I know this can cause D. I have enough problems with IBS-D, so she told me Pepcid AC is ok since it does not cause D for me.I'm really not so worried about acid reflux. I am able to manage that right now. My concern is with the swallowing food issue. My doctor wants to see if losing weight may help. I am concentrating on that right now, but am quite fearful that surgery may be in my future.I'd love to talk with anyone who has or had a hiatal hernia or has information on this subject. You can e-mail me if you'd like. Thanks so much.

 

[Guest]

Dana,Sorry, I can't help you. Hope you find a solution soon.......------------------LET'S ALL PRAY FOR A CURE TO THIS IBS SOON!BETTIE

 

[JeanG]

Hi Dana:Sorry, I can't help you either. Try some of the medical web sites. webmd.com usually has a lot of good stuff and they will have links to other sites also. I'm not at home or I would look them up for you. I'll try to remember.In the meantime, someone here will probably come up with some info for you.By the way, if you want to talk about weight issues, leave me a post on the other board. I've been a member of Weight Watcher's for 2 years now. Don't worry -- I'm not trying to sell it. But it would be fun to be able to talk to someone about those issues because I deal with them on a daily basis. At 48 I finally realized I can't lose the weight and just go back to eating like before. Duh, why did it take me so long? I just got back from my weekly Wednesday meeting. It was so strange to hear people talk about food without talking about IBS and triggers!I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! I'll try to get the other info for you. Jean------------------"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." Babe Ruth. And I'm also Praying with Bettie for a cure for this NASTY IBS! Jean

 

[Sherlock]

Hi Dana. Nice to meet you.

My mother had a hiatal hernia for about 10 years before she passed away. I'm not sure exactly what kind it was...didn't know there were different kinds. I know she had a problem with reflux, and took Maalox liquid for it, she couldn't lie down for a few hours after eating, and she had a "ramp" made that slid under the upper half of her mattress to elevate the top. She couldn't lie flat.I wish I knew more to help you. I'm sure someone here will. Good luck!

 

[Guest]

Hi Dana,I have a hietal hernia and Barret's esophagus from acid reflux. Never had any symptoms, never knew there was damage being done. I take Prilosec and Propulsid for the reflux and believe that they started the IBS. I don't have any problems due to the hernia, but I think the surgery these days isn't bad. They can do the orthascopy (sp) and just put three small holes (around where the spinchter muscle is) and repair that spinchter muscle and the hernia all at once. My sister also has reflux and the acid made a portion of her esophagus tighten, so she had trouble swallowing. For her they did an endoscopy and stretched the esophagus. That did the trick.

 

[penelope]

I also have a hiatal hernia. I don't get any heartburn or acid reflux, just a lot of pressure in my chest and I can feel my heart pound real hard. I was finally put on zantac and it took all that away. It gave me alot more D, but I guess theres always a trade off. penelope

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies. I've been alternating Prevacid and Pepcid AC for almost a week now. I think the Prevacid may actually be helping my problem with swallowing. I have to report back to my doctor in a couple of weeks. I've been eating out a lot lately and don't feel the panic and fear that I may not be able to swallow food. So I'm really hopeful. Jean, I've been on lots of diets. I have trouble sticking with one because of my IBS-D attacks. But I've lost 12 lbs. recently just by eating more healthy and exercising and I feel pretty motivated (especially after this new hernia diagnosis).

 

[JeanG]

That's great news, Dana. I messed up for Thanksgiving but I'm getting back on track now. Jean------------------"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." Babe Ruth. And I'm also Praying with Bettie for a cure for this NASTY IBS! Jean