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Hiatus hernia?
Hi all, I’m new to the forum 😊. I have LGMD (disagnosed 20 years ago so am an old hand! But just new to the online forum). For the past couple of years I’ve been struggling with a hiatus hernia. The acid reflux is horrible, especially the cough that comes with it. I’ve tried several meds etc but my question is this: anyone else out there with hiatus hernia? It just strikes me that that the stomach sphincter is a muscle. My GP poo-poo’d any connected to MD but am not sure. My mum who had LGMD developed it later on in her life too? I am not overweight and don’t follow any of the other risk factors for a hiatus hernia.
Would love to hear from anyone else who has one or struggles with heartburn and any tips!!
Thank you, Louise
Reply To: Hiatus hernia?Welcome to the site Louise, it would seem we can use all the new members we can get!
Reply To: Hiatus hernia?Hello and welcome Louise. I cannot comment specifically about the hiatus hernia, but I would say that there seems to be a great deal of uncertainty over the involvement of muscles beyond those normally used for movement. You talk about the sphincter being a muscle, as is the heart muscle. In my case, the intercostal muscles, the ones that help you breathe, have failed on both sides, as has part of the diaphragm, the other muscle that helps you breathe. Thus I am a great believer in other muscles being affected. You will find the average GP has little or no specific knowledge of MD, in any form, and thus may make that sort of statement. Please do get referred to a neurologist for help. they are the experts and can guide you effectively.
Mike
So many love songs, so little love.
Reply To: Hiatus hernia?Hi Louise
I have suffered badly with reflux and heartburn in the past. The last bout was over 5 years ago but it was a very low point for me I’m terms of fatigue. I’m sure it contributed to it.
Things that helped me were Omeprazole prescribed by my doctor and also having my head tilted more at night. It was quite easy to alter positioning as I have a profiling/turning bed but maybe a wedge shake under a pillow might have the same effect. It is often a bit of trial or error.
I am aware of other people with various types of MD having reflux issues – I believe it is a common symptom.
A learning experience is one of those things that say, “You know that thing you just did? Don’t do that.” - Douglas Adams
Reply To: Hiatus hernia?Hi Louise, I have just seen your post. My name is Jeanette and I was diagnosed last year with opmd, and then about 2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with a rolling hiatus hernia, I have found certain foods aggravate it, if I go to long between meals and bending aggravates it I get back and stomach soreness and bloating. I agree with you about the link with md.
Reply To: Hiatus hernia?Hi Louise! I also suffer terribly with Acid Reflux on a daily basis and I’m on prescribed 20mg Omeprazole.
I’ve never been told I have a Hiatus Hernia. The GP’s I’ve seen have basically overlooked any potential causes and jumped straight to prescription Omeprazole option. I’ve spoken about this issue with my Neuromuscular consultant and she did seem to confirm to me that MD and other muscle conditions (I’ve never been formally diagnosed but still under investigation) can seem to affect the majority of muscles in the body and not just the ones which aid movement – so the link between what your talking about seems quite viable. Although my consultant did seem to agree with my GP practice and say that over-the-counter Antacid medication and prescription drugs like Omeprazole are really the only ‘treatment’ regardless of the underlying cause, unless symptoms are so severe that medication and change in diet doesn’t help or symptoms don’t go away.
So my guess is there probably is a link with MD and other muscle conditions increasing the likelihood of acid reflux. Take antacids when needed. Maybe speak to your GP about prescribed medication like Omeprazole if your symptoms are bad and over-the-counter meds don’t help, although it sounds like you might have already tried this. Try to avoid lying on on your back, especially when you’ve got acid as this can make symptoms worse. And possibly adjust your diet to reduce the foods which could be triggering your symptoms (high fat & acidic foods etc)? These are the things I’ve done anyway – it’s a trial and error scenario!
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