OpenHealth Q&A

I understand that you're experiencing severe and distressing abdominal pain with episodes that seem to worsen over time. It’s crucial to identify actionable steps to help manage your symptoms and minimize the likelihood of future pain.

Key Points:

1. Your symptoms are troubling, especially with the recurring nature and intensity of the pain.
2. The relief you experienced when inverted suggests that your pain may be influenced by positional changes, which could relate to the hiatal hernia or other gastrointestinal issues.
3. Strategies for relieving discomfort and preventing future episodes can be developed.

Explanation:

The fact that you have experienced three painful episodes, all with episodes of severe symptoms but with tests returning findings suggestive of a hiatal hernia, indicates that there might be a physiological issue at play related to the digestive system. Hiatal hernias can cause symptoms similar to what you’ve described, especially when lying down or after eating.

Your positional relief could suggest that changing the dynamics of pressure in your abdomen temporarily relieves the strain on the affected areas. This differentiation is important because it hints at how your body is responding to pain and might guide you toward preventative strategies.

Next Steps:

1. Dietary Adjustments:

   • Eat Smaller Meals: Smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce symptoms related to your hiatal hernia and gastritis. Consider avoiding large meals, especially before lying down or sleeping.
   • Identify Triggers: Keep a food diary to track meals and associated symptoms to determine if specific foods worsen your pain.

2. Positional Awareness:

   • Continue finding comfortable positions that relieve your pain and consider trying gentle stretches or yoga under supervision, which can help improve abdominal pressure.
   • Elevating your head while sleeping may help alleviate some pressure and discomfort, reducing the likelihood of episodes during the night or early morning.

3. Stress Management:

   • High-stress levels can exacerbate gastrointestinal issues. Consider relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle activities, which might help reduce the stress contributing to your symptoms.

4. Medication Management:

   • You might ask your healthcare provider about medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2-receptor antagonists which can help manage symptoms of gastritis and hiatal hernia more effectively, as it seems the current pain relief methods have not been effective.

5. Follow-Up Testing:

   • Ensure that you receive a thorough follow-up on all the tests you’ve undergone. If your symptoms persist, discussing further imaging studies or referrals to a gastroenterologist specializing in motility disorders may be worthwhile.

Please remember, your health is paramount, and seeking continued care is important. If you ever find the pain unbearable again, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention. You’re doing well by seeking advice and staying proactive about your health.