Hi loonarider, I don't have time right now to go into details, but your symptoms could be due to a hiatus hernia when, depending on your body's position, your stomach can leave the abdomen and go to your chest, pressing your lungs and heart. This condition is benign but depending on the size of the hiatus hernia it could cause these symptoms. Do you have acid reflux or heartburn symptoms?
Hi Uptick,
I have a strong feeling it could be haitul hernia or even silent reflux. I notice that after eating, even if it is relatively small, I have to walk around because if I sit I feel super congeste in the chest and diaphgram area, a lot o tightness. It feels like just below my breasts is expanding. So I feel there is deifnitely an issue with digestion. I don't get the common heart burn symptoms, the feeling of burning up my esophagus. But I think my most recent sore throat and persistent cough might have something to do with it as well (again, possible silent reflux).
Haitul hernia sounds scary considering it's your stomach putting pressure on your vital organs
I hope it's something that can be treated, and I'm also very apprehensive about getting have a tube put down my throat to look at my inards. I wonder if there is an alternative?
So glad you mentioned haitul hernia, as I've been going out of my mind thinking I have clots in my lungs or a clcot travelling to my heart...It is pretty instant if I lie on my side or lean forward its very uncomfortable pressure felt on my organs it seems, and the I feel instantly breathless like I might keel over.
P.S. I called the ambulance yesterday because I thought I was going to die in my sleep. ECG, oxygen levels, blood glucose all normal range...Guess we will see whaat the doc says this week.
Do you know of any medications that would be good for haitul hernia and silent reflux that I can mention to my doc?
Thank you for your response! ![Smiley :)](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/smiley.gif)
Hi loonarider, sorry for the late reply. It sounds like silent reflux (which I have), it can cause all your symptoms and if a hiatus (or hiatal) hernia is present it can be more frequent and severe than without it. I wonder if you also notice any bloating?
Medication is the same for silent reflux.
. Antacids (any meds containing one or two of these): aluminium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate (Rennies, Gaviscon, milk of magnesia, etc)
. H2 receptor antagonists that block histamine-induced secretion of gastric acid in the stomach, cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine, usually along antibiotics for short-term healing of peptic ulcers induced by Helicobater pylori or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
. PPIs, proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, lanzoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole and esomeprazole. They completely block acid production from stomach
Each one is recommended for specific cases and sometimes they can mask more serious conditions and usually have to be discontinued before endoscopy. Speaking of which... I loathe this procedure, but needs be. I'd ask for total sedation because I have strong throat reflexes and couldn't stand the tube for enough time to get a biopsy. Most people have no problem though. I'm afraid there isn't a better alternative procedure for these sort of issues. You'll be fine.
Have you already had your appointment? Keep us posted.