Gastritis, hiatal hernias and esophageal spasms

[Gibbee]

Anyone here have ANY of the above listed medical issues? I have all 3 (gastritis, hiatal hernia and esophageal spasms) on top of my recent ganglion cyst in my wrist and I am wondering what to do to help out any of the situations listed above.

I go to my primary care tomorrow (had my EGD last Tuesday) and I suspect he'll keep me on Nexium (I do have reflux although it never burns like the advertise it on TV) but I'm about to have a cow because I'm not sure what I can do (beyond diet) to battle any of it. I've searched the net and have come up with varied opinions. I did have a biopsy of my stomach lining and it came back negative, so I don't have the bacterial infection or any of the precancerous gastritis causes, but I definitely have stomach lining irritation going on.

So far nothing has affected my workouts except I can't drink a lot of water and then expect to do a bunch of ab work or floor work without some reflux. Just curious if anyone had any experiences with these conditions. The doc who did my scope said he thought the hernia would be o.k. because it's small, but I've read otherwise.

Just curious!

 

[kellib]

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis! :-( I was diagnosed with mild gastritis and reflux during college - I believe it was stress related. I was on the purple pill - Prilosec - I think it's otc now. I also modified my diet - nothing real spicy or salty. I'd eat my pasta sauce free and stuck to bland foods. Very little to no alcohol too - when I drank it made my stomach feel TERRIBLE. I was feeling 100% better in a couple months. I went off the prilosec and haven't really had any recurring symptoms. Occassionally I'll have a little reflux or very mild heartburn but nothing regular. I don't take anything otc or prescription.

Best of luck! I hope you are feeling better soon!
-Kelli

 

[sblordita]

My mom has actually been dealing with those exact problems (aside from the spasms) for the last year. This summer, her hiatal hernia seems to have healed (though I'm not sure how that works) and she is pretty much free and clear now. She spent a lot of time in the hospital, and a lot of time eating nothing but small pieces of bread. She spent months on nexium and a few other drugs and she is now good. She can drink and eat anything she wants now with no problems. I wish I could remember exactly what she took, but I know it took about a year or so. But if you are cautious and do everything right, you should be fine again!!

So sorry you are dealing with this. I've seen how miserable it can be.

Sara

 

[hounddogs]

My DH was the burping and farting champion of the world. Gas pains, consistent discomfort, you name it. He happened to be at the chiropractor's for a back issue, and the chiro found a hiatal hernia. It's apparently something they treat regularly, and now this problem that's been thought of as DH's "normal" state is gone! Poof! Just like that. I think if the adjustment that closes the gap at the top of the esophagus works and holds, then some of the associated problems will go away, too. The chiropractor mentioned that a lot of folks who go on the meds don't need them if they get the hernia treated chiropractically. Good luck.
--Ann

 

[Gibbee]

Thanks for the replies. I was given some medicine that is to stop or slow the spasms but boy does it ever give you dry mouth. They usually give you calcium channel blockers (whatever they are) but since I have lower blood pressure (102/62), they didn't give it to me because they said it would make it drop. Well, it was early in the morning after working out - I wasn't at work yet nor had I taken my kid to school, so I'm sure it went up later. If the dry mouth gets to be too much, I'll be asking again. (I definitely don't have to worry about drinking enough water - I've at least doubled my intake in the past few days.)

Ann - Interesting result from the chiropractor. I have been to one before for my neck - wonder what he'd think about mine? Definitely worth checking out. Plus, your husband's former normal state sounds like someone I am acquainted with - wonder if something like that would work for him?

I am watching my foods and eating smaller portions, but my reflux never burns - weird. I do get heartburn but not often although my stomach does "burn" or "sting" a lot. The twice-a-day Nexium seems to be helping.

Thanks again for your insights! You guys are the greatest!