Hiatal hernia
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63235)
United States
December 6, 2012 11:00pm CST
I think I mentioned, and I'm sure my friends might remember, about a strange pain I had in my chest.
Well, when I went to the doctor a while back, he told me it was a hiatal hernia.
And he told me to treat it get some Maalox.
Only problem is... I haven't been able to find Maalox for over a YEAR!
So, I asked a pharmacist what would be a good substitute and she told me Gaviscon.
So I've had this stuff now for a couple of months. I'm actually getting kind of low so I guess I'll have to think of getting more soon.
So, tonight when we went out to grab a bite to eat, I had an episode of the pain, climbing up my chest into my throat and right shoulder. I wasn't where I had anything I could take so I just had to ride it out.
Kind of distracting when I'm trying to drive, let me tell you!
Now, its just happened again! This time I'm sitting at my desk and have the Gaviscon right by me.
The pain was climbing up my chest into my throat and I took a slug of the stuff and **BAM** it was GONE! I could actually feel it retreat ahead of the stuff, so I guess the websites are right when they say the pain is from acid reflux.
You know, this getting old stuff ain't for sissies!
4 people like this
12 responses
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
7 Dec 12
I am glad the pain has receded. I divide my life into two age related sections. Before I was 50 and after. Before rarely visited the Dr and after....I can't stay away! I don't mind being older, I just loathe the way my body seems to be ageing faster than my mind - heck, I've barely reached puberty in my mind!
2 people like this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
7 Dec 12
As one of my good friends has said about getting older...the only thing golden in your golden years is your urine!
2 people like this
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
7 Dec 12
So true! Getting old is not for sissies! As you probaly remember I have acid reflux and it sucks! If I am not have the acid go up my throat to my head,it is making my stomach feel upset! I do take an med my doctor perscribed for be before breakfast. It helps but if I eat the wrong food,I make it worse! Sometimes I end up with diarrhea! It is a constant battle and trying to lose weight! It sucks!
On top of that I have edema in my lower legs. Wear support stockings to help with that.
The there is my teeth. When I had a cleaning not long ago,I was told it would be a wise idea to brush and floss twice aday! I will start this on New Years day. I don't want to sit in the dentist chair,again and hear the plaque being scraped off my teeth! That was not fun!
On top of that I have edema in my lower legs. Wear support stockings to help with that.
The there is my teeth. When I had a cleaning not long ago,I was told it would be a wise idea to brush and floss twice aday! I will start this on New Years day. I don't want to sit in the dentist chair,again and hear the plaque being scraped off my teeth! That was not fun!2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
8 Dec 12
Yeah, I've had one or two bouts of acid reflux and totally agree, but mine are generally because I've done what I know I ought not do (eat late.) I've had allergic reactions that give me diarrhea - but now I'm on some meds that constipation is a side affect - after growing up with the stuff... oh well, better than the roomie who has dumping since her gastric bypass.
I've had some edema in my feet, I started wearing socks that help with it, but also the kind I had is helped by being up and walking - unlike some kinds.
AND, I go to the dentist on Wednesday... not fun.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
7 Dec 12
You should be on Prevacid or Prilosec to stop the production of acid and let your esophagus heal up. I had a friend with a hiatal hernia years ago and that's what her doctor recommended. He also said if they could not get the esophagus healed up she would need surgery because damage to the esophagus can result in cancer eventually.
If all your doc recommended was antacids he is just treating the symptoms and not the cause. I hope you'll ask about acid blockers, they will help the condition and help prevent episodes. Good luck!
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
7 Dec 12
Sorry to hear that. U are soo right about it ain't for sissies.Whoever called these the golden years was full of crap.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
8 Dec 12
Hope you'd be free from that pain for good. It is really hard to move around when your feeling a bit of discomfort. Maybe you just need to have Gaviscon always within your reach.
1 person likes this
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
8 Dec 12
Maybe you need to be more careful with the food that you take, and also sometimes, stress could lead to this, too.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Dec 12
I wonder why you cannot find maalox. I have not looked for it, so I do not know if it is missing here or not. I have known people to tell me they cannot get out of bed due to a hiatal hernia, no kidding. Of course he was trying to avoid seeing me and paying me money he owed me. I guess you need to put some Gaviscon in your bag, purse or whatever so you can have it handy.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
7 Dec 12
I'm surprised your doctor didn't prescribe medication. I have GERD and take rabeprazole twice a day for that. An aunt has a hiatal hernia and takes domperidone before meals. My mom had a hiatal, too, and had some sort of operation for it, which included repossessing her bellybutton...
I'm also surprised that you can't find Maalox.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
9 Dec 12
i have an over the counter generic maalox that works pretty well.
i usually have a bottle around.especially with the cheap hot dogs my bro buys..ugh..
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
19 Dec 12
yea,i really don't either..most are mystery meat.
i make an exception for coney island hot dogs.good stuff:)
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
8 Dec 12
who's talking about getting old? I think I have several years on you, but I agree that these are not the golden years I've heard about. Glad you found a remedy for your problem.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
8 Dec 12
I know I'm not the oldest member, and I know also that I don't have the worst problems, but some times it just seems to dump a lot at one time. And these weren't actually the first two times that day, more like the 3rd or 4th time, but the one in the car was certainly the worst!
@changjiangzhibin89 (16534)
• China
7 Dec 12
Gaviscon is used to treat heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease and Maalox is for protecting gastric mucosa.Hope that the medicine will set you to right.
1 person likes this
