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Chance of missing hernia?

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Posted 1/12/2014 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
I'm beginning to get desperate again after breaking into tears and considering driving off a cliff. Since reducing the dose of my Mirtazapine a week ago - I was told it has an antacid effect and I don't want to mask my symptoms - my reflux has done a U Turn in terms of symptoms. The burning in my throat has increased 10 fold, regardless of what I eat or drink. Sometimes instead of burning I get a 'minty' feeling in my throat. burp a lot, but not as bad as before, although I very easily become bloated/full and I have heartburn a lot more too. I just keep Googling because I am done thinking stress can do this to me, especially when I get symptoms when I am happy or get no symptoms when I am terrified to eat.

I've scared myself again from seeing lots of posts about people who have hiatal hernias but their barium and endoscopy missed them and manometries/24 hour probes don't catch them at all. They usually have no signs of esophagus damage but the onset of their symptoms was quick and after something strenuous. At the time last year, I was starting a weightlifting programme to improve my body image. I wish I could turn back time and stop myself doing it; that is probably the cause right there, although I won't deny I was also highly emotionally stressed at the time, I just can't help but think I pushed myself too hard just so I could catch the eye of a perfect guy. :p

My barium included an x ray and I had a gallbladdder scan that tried looking for hernias. My endoscopy also showed nothing but could all these tests have missed a hernia, or am I just being paranoid?

EDIT: Also my throat has become super-sensitive to things that never really bothered me before. Manuka Honey has suddenly become as bad for me to consume as chocolate..!

Post Edited (Daxter) : 1/12/2014 9:05:13 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/12/2014 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Daxter,

I was convinced that I too had a hernia as my GERD got super bad around the same time I started weightlifting. I kept thinking that they'd missed it on both endoscopies and the barium study. Turns out I was wrong - no hernia, just a coincidence.

Try not to stress. People only post when a hernia was misdiagnosed, not when it wasn't, so you're only ever going to see one side of one story on the internet. Don't blame yourself for trying to get healthier by lifting weight.

I guess if you are not coping with the symptoms, and it sounds like you aren't, stop googling and go and see your GP. You have a good baseline now of what your symptoms are.

All the very best!!
Steph
Posted 1/12/2014 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Daxter

My hernia was not seen on endoscopy. I had a ct scan and it wasn't seen.

The Manometry won't pick up a hernia and the 24 hour test only measures acid so neither of the tests will detect a hernia.

I was convinced I had a hernia so I demanded a barium swallow. During the test no hernia was seen. I was very disappointed but I was told on the morning of my surgery that a slight hernia had been seen. Apparently they looked at the images in more depth after I had left.

I also have read on another forum about a lady who had all the tests and no hernia was found but when they operated they found a hernia.

So yes they can be missed or not seen. If it's a sliding hernia then I guess it depends if the stomach as slid up or down during the tests.

Maria
Posted 1/12/2014 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for replies. Thinking about it more, on one hand I don't get symptoms typical of most people with hernias like chest pains, and it doesn't happen every time I swallow either. Also I heard people over 50 are more likely to get one of these. On the other hand, if I eat nothing at all my symptoms all but vanish, and that concerns me because it practically takes my panic away with them.

I'm debating paying for another test, but which would be better to get done a 2nd time? (I hope it's the barium, 'cause it costs a lot either way, but the barium is cheaper XP). My GP is very unlikely to refer me herself, as she already considers me a hypochondriac, and I don't have the freedom to request a different GP at present.

EDIT (again): Even just now, I haven't eaten anything for almost 5 hours, and as soon as I get up or take a few steps, I burp little burps constantly. Even the Gaviscon Advance can't prevent it, so why does the prospect of a missed hernia keep taunting me? :(

Post Edited (Daxter) : 1/12/2014 10:46:29 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/12/2014 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Daxter.

Most people with small hernias go through life never knowing they had one. A small hernia is not a reason to have surgery. I wouldn't dwell too much on the possibility of a hernia after 2 tests were negative.

Have you seen a gastroenterologist? A GP doesn't have the training to diagnose all the possible things that can give us problems in the GI tract - if in fact that is what is causing your discomfort. Was any reflux seen on the tests? You don't have to have a hernia to have a weak valve.

Are you taking anything for the burning throat? Does your doctor know you cut your Mirtazapine? I'd trust the doctor to prescribe something for the symptoms for now.
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