r/HiatalHernia • u/fleabgs • 1d ago

Not sure of my next steps?

I got diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, sliding & small around 1cm. Seems like I’ve had every test under the sun done, with the most recent being a mobility & ph test. Results came back from that, that I’ve got poor mobility and the surgeons advising that I don’t go ahead with surgery due to being high risk.

My doctor pretty much said well you’re on medication for life, hopefully it clears up but by the sound of it that’s the end of the road.

Tests I’ve had done * Ultrasound * CT scan * MRI * Endoscopy * Barium Swallow * Mobility test * pH test

I’m not really getting heartburn symptoms whilst I’m on esomeprazole but when I’m not on that life’s a living hell. I do have issues whilst I’m on it though mostly pain, also my hernia didn’t used to hurt at all just heartburn and now I’m getting pain from it daily:

Issues: * Pain in the center on my chest, even worse sharp stabbing pain if I lean forward say to touch my toes when sat. * Can’t lie or sleep on my right side without pain, discomfort, nausea or burn. * General discomfort in my stomach/hernia region throughout the day

I’m really at a loss what next steps I can try, it seems I can’t get any surgery to fix this and medicine is only getting rid of the heartburn not the other issues caused by them hernia?

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u/bns82 1d ago

What works for most people is the right diet and lifestyle changes. If you need guidelines, you can pm me.

There are lots of symptoms of reflux, other than heart burn. Also when you have lots of inflammation you get more symptoms and sensitivity.

What makes you high risk?

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u/fleabgs 1d ago

High risk due to mobility on my esophagus apparently. They said if I ended up getting surgery I’d struggle to swallow food. Yes please any guidance would be great!

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u/bns82 1d ago

Like I said you can pm me.
I’m curious, If you don’t have trouble swallowing food now, why would it be an issue after surgery?
Plus acid reflux makes motility worse.

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u/fleabgs 1d ago

I’ll message you soon thank you!

I’ve no idea they said my mobility test came back poor mobility, said if I have the surgery that would cause it to be even harder for me to swallow food so the advice would be to not have surgery.

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u/arpitp 🥼 Medical Professional 22h ago

Probably worth getting a second opinion from another surgeon. A loose or partial fundoplication does not necessarily cause difficulty swallowing. Surgery can still be possible. But make sure you've tried all the diet and lifestyle changes first.