Hiatal Hernia / Short of breath

[Camilo]

Four  months ago I had a sudden very strong pain the the chest; I was driving anf thought it could be a heart attack except it was on the right side of the chest. Two weeks after that episode I started feeling short of breath; I expected it would go away but it didn't happen. A month after that I went to see a doctor, he checked on my heart, lungs, kidney, liver, one test after the other; at last (as I had at first told my doctor) they checked on my stomach and found I had hiatal hernia.  The doctor prescribed me Pantoloc (Pantoprazole) 40 mg once a day and it got a bit better. A month after I went to see the doctor and as I am still having breathing problems he increased the dose to 40 mg twice a day (mornings and evenings) and asked me to go and see him again in 2 months. A month after that I feel this is not getting any better, I feel like I am having asthma or something like that. The doctor says about 20% of the population suffer from Hiatal hernia and is no big deal. I do not discuss statistics but after 4 months without breathing properly I feel that I have to try something else. I don't think it is normal to stay like this for such a long time; the doctor didn't even ask for an endoscopy; what can I do? I don't feel this is getting any better. I just want to breath normally!!! Thanks!!!

[seven25]

Doctors don't know. The reason for all that **** is the hernia!

[sleeplessincanada232]

I have a hiatal hernia diagnosed by a barium swallow about 6 months ago. Many years ago I was also diagnosed with GERD and have been on meds for it and it has been controlled for the most part. About 3 years ago I started having this breathing difficulty and was hospitalized and they did many tests but left without a concrete reason for my problem. They added Spireva to my other inhalers for Asthma which has also not caused a lot of issues except occasionally and this breathing problem is different from the Asthma. I take Advair (and Ventolin when needed) I recently read where breathing difficulties can happen with a hiatal hernia so asked my Dr. and she said it was very rare unless the hernia was very large and she ordered an xray and said if it was large it would show up. Apparently it didn't so she ruled out the cause of the breathing problems.  The episodes are becoming more frequent and I am at my wit's end. I have not had an endoscopy done or a CT scan. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. sleeplessincanada232

[Allisonc78]

I am going through similar symptoms. I also have a small hiatal hernia and ulcers in my esophagus. The gastroenterologist prescribed Zegered till I see him in a couple of days. I was also diagnosed with mild Asthma. Have had major trouble breathing. I had all the GERD symptoms before the asthma crept up. I am prone to Asthma I think but only had symptoms when I got sick last year that was it. My chest and throat burn, then I have the heavy chest and shortness of breath. I would change your doctor because if he isn't even doing an endoscopy there is something wrong. Plus sometimes its good to get a second opinion regardless.

[Camilo]

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for your answers; indeed I think my doctor is neglecting my case; this is very common here in Canada where there is no option to have a private insurance program. The health care system is paid nd administered by the government, as a result doctors postpone surgeries as much as they can and avoid "expensive" tests like an endoscopy. One of my friends married a lady from Venezuela, coming to Canada was to much a change for her and she fell into a deep depression; her family doctor referred her to a psychiatrist who gave her an appointment in 8 months, she was close to jump from a bridge and my friend decided to sendher back go to Venezuela, where she got the required medication and brought enough anti depressant for 1 year.

I will definitely change to another doctor to get an endoscopy; at some point I am feeling desperate for the fact that I do not have a normal breething; yoga and mind control are helping me but I cannot have the normal like I am used to. I am very fit and used to run and workout a lot, now I cannot do either. Doctors do not understand or they pretend they don't. I am really tired of this whole thing.

Thanks much for your advise.

Camilo

[ayri]

hi, you should go back to your doctor and demand an endoscopy, if he or she refuses then change your doctor, your breathing could well be from extra acid flowing up your esaphagus and back down into your lungs its common with gerd disease, also hiatal hernia is a big deal contrary to what your doctor told you, anyway an endoscopy will reveal your problem, cheers.

[Jovi3622]

I had similar problems that you are having with the breathing and also have been on Protonix (brand name) for about two years now and it helped but within the last couple of months my breathing was starting to affect me. My doctor thought it might be from the blood pressure medicine I was on called Atenolol so she switched me to Lotrel. Well, the breathing problems were still occuring so I did a Pulmonary Function Test and it showed a slight asthma. At the same time as the breathing my stomach was acting up and I knew it must be related to my hiatal hernia so the doctor said she would have me take a CT scan to see what was happening inside. Well the results were my hernia had taken my stomach into the chest cavity next to the esophagus so that was what was causing my breathing difficulty. Now I am scheduled to have surgery for a fundoplication to bring the stomach back where it belongs and they will attach it to the bottom of the esophagus with sutures through Laprascopic surgery.

The surgeon thinks this will clear up my breathing problems.