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The Ask A Doctor message board provided a medium for sufferers of Heartburn and Gerd to ask questions about medical and surgical options for heartburn and receive answers directly from experienced Gastroesophageal surgeons.
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From: Sandy
Date: 02/05/01
Time: 13:12:55
I don't know if what I have is hiatal hernia. Over the last 20 years (I just turned 60), I have experienced occasional (but increasing in frequency and duration) periods of extreme discomfort localized just behind the lower end of my sternum and slightly to the right. It feels like a big cramp with generalized pain that goes through to my back. Sometimes, there's a warning in the form of slight pain; then after several minutes to a couple of hours of real discomfort, it will suddenly ease. It is often related to large meals late in the day but not always. Yesterday I felt it coming on in the afternoon, it hit bigtime by 6-7 pm and lasted all night and this morning. It has also awakened me in the middle of the night. Sometimes there is belching, flatulence, an urge to urinate and reluctance to breathe deep. I am on a small income and don't have health insurance so a lot of tests are beyond my budget. What do you think, is it probably an H.H.? Thanks. Sandy C.