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Hiatal hernia

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LLNorth
(@llholiday)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 563
Topic starter  

Not feeling so good but am able to get a medical appointment with a nurse practitioner for early next week. A couple of years ago I was told I have a large hiatal hernia (“sliding,” whatever that means) and I think that could be what has started bothering me lately - a full feeling/discomfort in chest and abdomen, belching, much more gas than usual in my pouch. My ostomy was from colorectal cancer and I have a regular follow-up with the oncologist in three weeks.

Has anybody here had this? I would like to avoid another surgery, just don’t feel up to it right now.

PS My ostomy seems to be working all right, though this is a lot of gas lately.

LL

Colostomy 4/30/18.
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. It smells like .... victory.


   
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(@john68)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 2058
 

Hey there, I have an Auntie who has this for years. She has never needed surgery and follows a number of rules. Meals small and regular rather than large, not eating late or last thing at night. Bed at a slight tilt with 2 pillows and avoid a lot of stooping. I believe that the surgery for it now is keyhole. I hope you get relief from your symptoms 🙏👍

ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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(@valerie)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 27
 

My last cat scan showed I had a small hiatal hernia. Thanks for the tips, john68. I eat small meals, and working on weight loss.

UC at age 18, 1981. Diagnosed at 20, proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy at age 23, 1986.


   
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Tigerlily
(@tigerlily)
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 421
 

LL, I have not had this kind of hernia. Here’s a short article from Johns Hopkins on it, including how to avoid aggravating it. John is right about small meals, not eating before bedtime.

 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hernias/hiatal-hernia

 

Also, if you have to fix it surgically, it sounds like it’s a laparoscopic surgery, which is so much easier than an open surgery. Home the same day.

Hope you’re feeling better soon.

 

Laurie

Just a semicolon


   
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Chelly
(@chelly)
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 605
 

I have a small one. I'm on 20 MG of prilosec a day. No surgery for it as of yet


   
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LLNorth
(@llholiday)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 563
Topic starter  

Thank you; I am feeling better today - not great, but the pressure in my chest has really decreased as has the discomfort and pain. Is my stomach “sliding” back down to my abdomen, and why in the world would things slide upwards. I’ve read the articles and advice, which I appreciate. The np I will see on Monday works in internal medicine, so I hope she will know a lot about this. I feel like I have been punched in the stomach; sore.

Also …. My husband wedged a 1” board under my side of the bed head last night, all we could find at the time but hope to find another in his collection of “stuff” - every little thing to try to help.

Stoma still seems to be working all right - I might be imagining but output seems more liquid.

Fingers crossed ….

Colostomy 4/30/18.
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. It smells like .... victory.


   
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Chelly
(@chelly)
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 605
 

I'm glad your getting in with internal medicine. They will getvyou sorted or referred to the right specialist. I hope you feel better soon. 


   
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Tigerlily
(@tigerlily)
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 421
 

@llholiday glad you’re feeling somewhat better. Your NP will have some suggestions for you on Monday. I found a video on sliding hiatal hernia; hope it’s helpful. I wondered too about one of those wedge pillows - would that be helpful to prop you up at night?

 

Laurie

 

 

Just a semicolon


   
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(@john68)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 2058
 

All the best for the appointment. Believe it or not I too have a collection of “stuff” Don know where I would be without it 😃

ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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LLNorth
(@llholiday)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 563
Topic starter  

I’ve been referred to the surgery department. I told the NP that I would like to avoid another surgery; she told me that before making a decision I should really talk with them. So I will. 

John, I’m sure your collection, like my husband’s, is useful on so many occasions - for finding the correct size nail, or screw, or washer; tape measures; socket sets, leftover pieces of wood, shims …. And his pipe wrench, that was my dad’s and who knows whose before that, is quite impressive - looks medieval!

Colostomy 4/30/18.
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. It smells like .... victory.


   
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Tigerlily
(@tigerlily)
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 421
 

@llholiday I was so appreciative when you told me that after your gallbladder surgery, you felt so much better. You were right - after having my gallbladder removed, I feel better than I have in years, and I have way fewer output issues with my ostomy. So now it’s my turn to tell you that I’ve had 2 laparoscopic surgeries in the last 2 years, and both of them were worth it. I understand that the prospect of yet another surgery isn’t sparking much joy, but if that’s your best option according to your doctors, maybe it will be worth it. I hope there are options for you, but if it’s laparoscopic surgery, you’ll be home on the same day and sleeping in your own bed. 

Laurie

Just a semicolon


   
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 LK
(@dlkfiretruck)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1561
 

@llholiday ... I'm sorry I have not been able to respond until now, but I've been reading along & praying for you.  I do hope you feel better soon & if surgery is required,  you can do this! It's amazing how deep we can dig to get thru things we don't want to go through.

Last March I had an unexpected surgery & like your feeling,  I was not a very willing participant at all!!  I have a complicated body & immune system. It's required SO many surgeries, so much illness & struggles AND healing time.  Its been a challenging body to LIVE in. BUT it continues to impress me with its healing & recovery abilities & strength... well, except for this arthrits & peripheral nueropathy stuff, Lol!! 

Our bodies have the ability to regenerate new heart cells after a heart attack, to heal us back together after big incisions and broken bones & reconnected intestine. To heal after cancer  treatments & to tromp the face off of cancer!  The Bible tells us, "we are fearfully & wonderfully made."  I understand that better at 66 then I did at 22!  Lol, I now look at anesthetic as a good sleep for the first time since my last surgery, at Surgery to get extra rest without being looked at as lazy &  to have special time & joy of a small Grand snuggled up with me so we can get extra snuggles & I can rest while reading a captivating childrens book to her or a dozen smaller ones.  To her shorten my stack of must reads & to binge watch my fav. TV shows or Netflix guilt free & to do needle work of some kind. 

I agree Surgery is never fun & theres NEVER a good time for it or anything leading up to it.  Once completed & we feel better, how many of us here can say we're glad we had it even if it was  a painful experience. I'm SO VERY Thankful for a Surgeons skillful brain &  hands. 

We are all so much stronger then we think & I want to encourage YOU, Chelly & John to hang in there & get the rest your bodies need, hydrate to help healing & stack pillows as needed. Kudos to a good cry, I hear tears are very healing.  I will continue to pray for a good recovery for all of you & quick medical dates & answers. Life can really suck us dry sometimes & as hard as it is, we still manage through difficult issues & health scares.  That!! That is what comes from digging deep down & shows our true character.  On that note, a Fav. Auther, Dr. Charles Stanley once said, " what we learn in the darkness, share in the light!" 

All the best as you bravely move into this new & scarey challenge. I have no doubt you will do as well as you can manage & whatever that is, its okay!

Linda


   
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Tony H
(@tony-h)
Joined: 8 years ago
Posts: 343
 

Great post Linda


   
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 LK
(@dlkfiretruck)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1561
 

@tony-h  ... Thank you Tony.

Linda


   
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