Hiatal hernia symptoms?
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| Sat, 04-15-2006 - 1:52pm |
Hi again...my stomach has seemed to be even worse lately (but I've also been very stressed). But this has seemed to come on pretty recently: whenever I even drink something cold, I can feel it sitting behind my breastbone for what seems like a long while after I finish drinking it...and I've started feeling nauseated and feeling like the liquid is going to come back up again (and I think I might be able to taste it in my mouth, ugh!).
So it's lunchtime now, and I still haven't been able to eat anything all day, and can't even think about food...I don't even want to think about drinking, but I've been drinking some anyway. And I still have the diarrhea...
But it just came to mind that I was diagnosed with a medium-sized hiatal hernia a few years ago...and they told me at the time that it usually doesn't cause a lot of problems, and that I should do simple things like sleep with the head of the bed elevated, etc. I hadn't had a lot of problems with it since then, so I can't imagine how it would start causing problems now, unless maybe it suddenly got bigger or something?
I'm just not sure what to do. I called and got an appointment with my old GI doctor, but I don't think I will be able to go, because it's the day after I'm supposed to start working in the hospital. And it's in late June, anyway...I know I can't afford to lose any more weight, and if I can't eat until then, it would be a huge problem.
I would go see my primary care doc again, but I just saw her last week about some other concerns of mine (I really think I may be developing a connective tissue disorder), and she, in a very nice way, told me I'm being a hypochondriac about some things, not all though. And this stomach problem hadn't started then...
Does anyone know if a hiatal hernia can cause symptoms like this? And if so, if there's anything I can do about it? I really feel like I'm going to vomit just from drinking Gatorade...maybe I will go get some Prilosec at the store, but I'm not sure if that would fix the problem.
Thanks very much,
Rose
Edited 4/15/2006 1:53 pm ET by rosa444

Hey Rose,
Sorry to hear you still aren't doing well.
Thanks so much, Lynn. I know, stress can do awful things to your system. I'm actually having a hard time of it lately with depression, and even wondering if I should take a leave of absence since I'm so worried about starting rotations in the hospital (we're supposed to start June 19th).
I don't have a lot of ways to release stress...I used to exercise regularly and enjoyed that, but I haven't been able to eat lately and my muscles have been aching, so I haven't done much of it. I listen to music occasionally...and watch silly TV shows and post on a message board for med students that's just silly discussions...but I guess I need to find some more active ways to release stress. I really don't know of a lot, oddly enough!
To answer your question, my last EGD was a pretty long time ago, about 3 years, I think. I'm not sure if I could see another doctor...I could ask, but I think all of their schedules are even more backed up. My GI doc's office actually told me their first appointment was in *September* until I talked to the nurse and got this one...so I guess I was lucky...but I'm pretty sure I won't be able to go then.
Thanks again for your post...it was definitely helpful.
Rose
Hey Rose,
I was thinking about you today.
It certainly sounds to me like you need to be checked for the hernia again.
I have a hiatal hernia and will be having it repaired in the next month. HH can also cause you to be extremely nervous. About 30 min to an hour after I eat I get an attack of anxiety and all my insides seems to be shaking. I have a lump in my throat and sometimes nearly panic because I cannot swallow for a few seconds. I only eat small meals because if I eat very much at all, I feel like I am just stuffed. I am short of breath and cough a lot.
I would request a gastroscope.