Hiatal Hernia Support Group

Hi all, I had a question and this looks like a good group to ask. I am a little frustrated as I haven't been able to get a diagnosis, and I've started to wonder if I might have a hernia.

Here's the story: 3 weeks ago I woke up with terrible vertigo, and then had what was probably a panic attack- rapid pulse, fast breathing, nausea etc. Went to the ER and they did a chest CT and head CT which were clear. About 2-3 days later, still dizzy, I started to have gastrointestinal/chest pain, which has gotten worse and worse, to the point where it is often hard to breathe. It seems to eminate from right below my sternum, but it also moves down into my stomach, and up into my chest. I'm also still dizzy and exhausted. I've been to the doctor numerous times since then, had an abdominal ultrasound and CT- both fine, and a million blood tests. For a while they suspected pancreatitis, but my lipase levels never got really high. Now they're looking at my heart, since it often gets worse if I stand or move around (at first it was worst when I was sitting). I'm wondering if the panic-attack symptoms I had originally may have caused a hernia?

Sometimes I feel worse after eating (always get at least a stomach ache) but sometimes it's not that bad. Lying down is ok, though I haven't been able to lie comfortably for any time on either side, which seems weird. This has been incapacitating for me- haven't been able to work, and because of the dizziness, I can't drive.

I've also tried acupuncture and it's helped a little (actually I think it's the herbs that have helped most). But I don't feel like there's been any real progress. I did get a short referral to the GI doctor, and he said he could do an endoscopy, but at the point he offered, I had just been through a million tests and felt horrible, and just didn't want to put my body through another one. But if I can't get better, I guess that's my only option?

Any thoughts? Has anyone experienced these kinds of symptoms?
Posted on 06/07/09, 10:06 pm