Hiatal Hernia Repair

viola43

Hi,

I am a long term survivor of Hodgkins with full mantle radiation in the 1990s. I have severe acid reflux caused by a hiatal hernia and surgery is recommended for repair. This problem started before I got sick but the radiation made it worse. I am wondering if any long term survivors have undergone this surgery.  The tissue damage from radiation makes me very nervous about healing properly and not making the problem worse. In would appreciate hearing from people who might have had this procedure.  Thanks.

Viola43

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

Hiatial Hernia

Viola,

I have had a severe hiatial hernia for about 25 years. It may have been trauma-induced, since my chest cavity was caved-in in an accideint n 1986. I had 13 rib fractures, and my sternum was shifted off-center.   It is so bad that I make a grunting noise at times when breathing, which people around me can hear.  I also have extraordinarily severe, vicious reflux.

I had an upper GI and colonoscopy a few months ago, and the surgeon said there was no suspicious tissue or cause for alarm inside. He recommend that I do "nothing" as long as the reflux is managable with Nexium and other meds. He said that the surgery is not always easy, or even very successful.   Pretty honest comments, coming from a general surgeon.

I never received radiation for cancer, but have massive amounts of scar tissue throughout my thoracic cavity.  Is not having surgery an option ?   It is what the doc recommended for me, as I stated.   May you have success in whatever course you take.

max

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

Hiatial Hernia

Viola,

I have had a severe hiatial hernia for about 25 years. It may have been trauma-induced, since my chest cavity was caved-in in an accideint n 1986. I had 13 rib fractures, and my sternum was shifted off-center.   It is so bad that I make a grunting noise at times when breathing, which people around me can hear.  I also have extraordinarily severe, vicious reflux.

I had an upper GI and colonoscopy a few months ago, and the surgeon said there was no suspicious tissue or cause for alarm inside. He recommend that I do "nothing" as long as the reflux is managable with Nexium and other meds. He said that the surgery is not always easy, or even very successful.   Pretty honest comments, coming from a general surgeon.

I never received radiation for cancer, but have massive amounts of scar tissue throughout my thoracic cavity.  Is not having surgery an option ?   It is what the doc recommended for me, as I stated.   May you have success in whatever course you take.

max

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

Hiatial Hernia

Viola,

I have had a severe hiatial hernia for about 25 years. It may have been trauma-induced, since my chest cavity was caved-in in an accideint n 1986. I had 13 rib fractures, and my sternum was shifted off-center.   It is so bad that I make a grunting noise at times when breathing, which people around me can hear.  I also have extraordinarily severe, vicious reflux.

I had an upper GI and colonoscopy a few months ago, and the surgeon said there was no suspicious tissue or cause for alarm inside. He recommend that I do "nothing" as long as the reflux is managable with Nexium and other meds. He said that the surgery is not always easy, or even very successful.   Pretty honest comments, coming from a general surgeon.

I never received radiation for cancer, but have massive amounts of scar tissue throughout my thoracic cavity.  Is not having surgery an option ?   It is what the doc recommended for me, as I stated.   May you have success in whatever course you take.

max

viola43

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Hiatial Hernia

Viola,

I have had a severe hiatial hernia for about 25 years. It may have been trauma-induced, since my chest cavity was caved-in in an accideint n 1986. I had 13 rib fractures, and my sternum was shifted off-center.   It is so bad that I make a grunting noise at times when breathing, which people around me can hear.  I also have extraordinarily severe, vicious reflux.

I had an upper GI and colonoscopy a few months ago, and the surgeon said there was no suspicious tissue or cause for alarm inside. He recommend that I do "nothing" as long as the reflux is managable with Nexium and other meds. He said that the surgery is not always easy, or even very successful.   Pretty honest comments, coming from a general surgeon.

I never received radiation for cancer, but have massive amounts of scar tissue throughout my thoracic cavity.  Is not having surgery an option ?   It is what the doc recommended for me, as I stated.   May you have success in whatever course you take.

max

Hernia

hi Max,

Sorry to hear about you past accident that caused so many later problems, especially bad reflux.  I have had many tests and med trials.  I will probably seek a second opinion with someone experienced in doing this type of surgery on someone who was radiated. I know the success rate is not terrific in the best situations. Thanks  for responding to my post.

Take care,  Viola

 

cathyp

viola43 said:

Hernia

hi Max,

Sorry to hear about you past accident that caused so many later problems, especially bad reflux.  I have had many tests and med trials.  I will probably seek a second opinion with someone experienced in doing this type of surgery on someone who was radiated. I know the success rate is not terrific in the best situations. Thanks  for responding to my post.

Take care,  Viola

 

Hi Viola,Oh, just stumbled

Hi Viola,

Oh, just stumbled upon this post after shooting you a pm.  So sorry to see this turn of events.  What type of specialist performs this surgery?  Is it an ENT?  If so, I saw one at NYU Medical Center that wanted to operate on my vocal cord.  When I got home I emailed him to remind him of my radiation tx's  and he had to change his approach to the proposed surgery.  As you know, I now see an ENT at Cornell Weill.  He says he has many Hodgkin's Patients and other pts treated with mantle radiation so I feel comfortable seeing him.

I'm trying to recall if any other LT survivors on the ACOR list serve have had surgery for this.  I'll have to search the archives and see if I can find anything.  I'm thinking the specialists you should see must have experience with our past treatments if at all possible. 

Talk to you soon,

Cathy

 Update:  I searched the archives and find a lot of survivors with the same problem.  All said they were to change their diet and/or lose weight and/or were taking medications.  I did't find any mention of surgical repair.  Good luck with your second opinion and research.