My Struggles with Hiatal Hernia Symptoms

Hi everyone. My name is Ben, and I’m a 27-year-old male. I experience daily chest pains that can last for seconds, minutes, hours, or persist throughout the day. Sometimes, they start as soon as I wake up and almost always occur after eating. The pain is usually sharp and localized to one small area, often on the front left side of my chest, but it can also happen on the front right, in the middle, or on the sides under my arms. I’ve undergone three EKGs, two chest X-rays, an echo, and a stress echo, all of which returned negative for heart disease. Additionally, I experience palpitations that feel like my heart is pounding when I lie flat, creating a throbbing sensation in my chest, back, and abdomen. This can occur after eating as well. During these palpitations, I often feel pressure in my upper chest and neck. When these symptoms began last summer, I was experiencing tachycardia with my heart rate resting between 100-120 bpm. My primary doctor prescribed propranolol to address the chest pains, palpitations, and tachycardia, and my heart rate is now 60-70 bpm at rest, but I’m still having chest pains and palpitations.

I’m also dealing with tightness, soreness, and pain in my throat and jaw, like something is lodged in my throat. This discomfort worsens when I lie down or sit up and apply pressure to my upper back, sides, or chest, making me cough and creating a sensation of not being able to breathe fully, although my breathing is fine. It feels like pressure is building in my chest, affecting my throat and upper back between my shoulder blades and at the base of my neck. Neither allergy medication nor my rescue inhaler provides relief.

Additionally, I experience daily acid reflux and indigestion, with regurgitation occurring 2-3 times a week, which has intensified over the past two weeks. I was taking Prilosec OTC for about a year before my GI doctor switched me to prescription Prilosec for three months, then to ranitidine for another three months, and back to Prilosec again for three months. I have an upcoming appointment with her, and she plans to prescribe one more round of ranitidine for three months. An upper endoscopy I had last November revealed a hiatal hernia, and a barium swallow confirmed reflux, indigestion, regurgitation, and the hernia. After the next round of ranitidine, my GI doctor said we would discuss surgery for the hernia repair if my symptoms don’t improve. Unfortunately, the Prilosec isn’t as effective as it used to be. I’ve eliminated all trigger foods from my diet—no citrus, chocolate, caffeine, tomatoes, pineapple, spicy or fried foods, garlic, bananas, alcohol, etc. I’ve also reduced sugar and carbs, opting for smaller meals throughout the day. I experience nausea every day, often after eating, along with stomach cramps and pains.

Despite getting a full night’s sleep, I feel constantly fatigued. I’ve also been experiencing headaches and upper back pain between my shoulder blades. Overall, I’m just not feeling well, especially when all these symptoms flare up together. It can be challenging to function some days, and I often feel miserable. My primary doctor mentioned that my hiatal hernia is likely irritating my vagus nerve, which regulates heart rate and digestion, among other functions, which explains a lot. I sometimes feel panicked, particularly during episodes of chest and abdominal pain, even though it’s unlikely to be related to my heart or a life-threatening condition.

Has anyone else experienced severe symptoms from a hiatal hernia? Do you have any remedies for relief? Has anyone undergone a Nissen fundoplication or the LINX procedure? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Many of your symptoms resonate with my experience. I had a rough time last year with several late-night trips to A&E. I eliminated most of the foods and drinks you mentioned, and I haven’t had bread in over a year! It really can take over your life. Last year, my doctor kept prescribing different medications for high blood pressure, palpitations, and stomach issues, and before I knew it, I was taking five pills a day and feeling worse. I decided to stop all those meds and only took heartburn medication along with very small food portions. I hadn’t been as bad for a while, but the other night, I woke up with chest pains. I experienced dry mouth, shakes, feeling cold, and a lot of agitation. I knew going to A&E would lead to the same outcome as before, so I tried to calm down and took some heartburn pills. After about an hour, the pain subsided, and I started to feel better for the first time in months. The only thing I did differently was take a three-mile walk that evening and eat a stir-fry. So, I’m back to plain eating!

I’ve found that sleeping upright with lots of pillows helps. When I saw my doctor, she assured me that I’m fine and that it’s just a small hiatal hernia, but it really can affect your daily life! I’m 41, and I’m glad I found this forum; it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in dealing with this. Also, check online for the medications you’re taking and their side effects; sometimes they can interact and cause more palpitations, which I found to be the case!

I experience that cold sensation too, along with the other issues you mentioned. I also have emphysema, and the acid in my lungs is really affecting me—it’s literally debilitating. I’ve been let down by doctors time and again. Today, I’ve been fasting and only sipping water, and I’m still struggling. I heard that chiropractors can provide some relief, so I’ve started seeing one. She said my muscles feel like wood, and she can’t get through to them because it’s so severe. Also, lying on your right side can increase reflux. I developed my hernia after years of constipation followed by a major breathing exacerbation. My breathing is compromised due to emphysema, and it gets worse because my diaphragm isn’t functioning properly with my stomach in my chest. I really empathize with everyone here and wish I had the answers for us all. My life feels completely shattered. Yoga definitely helps if you can manage it, but some poses can make it feel like your chest is splitting, so be cautious. I’m wishing for a miracle for all of us xx

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, Nikki and Vince. Nikki, I’m so glad to hear you’ve found a routine that helps and that you’re feeling a bit better—sometimes those small changes really do make a huge difference. And Vince, I can’t imagine how tough it must be to deal with both emphysema and reflux. It sounds like you’re doing everything you can to manage it, and I really admire your strength. It’s comforting to know we’re not alone in this, and your stories are a real reminder of how important it is to listen to our bodies and keep trying different things. Wishing you both the best and hoping you find more relief soon! :pray::yellow_heart:

Thank you all for engaging with the community! We appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and offering support. Please continue to be respectful and thoughtful in your responses. If you have any additional advice or insights, feel free to share them! Let’s keep the conversation going and help each other out. Thanks again for being part of this space!