incisional hernia

Well, I finally got the post surgical pain and discomfort diagnosed. I never could get a straight answer from my ob/gyn. He just was not interested in my mystery pain, maybe thought I was just being whiney. I finally asked my primary care physician what could be causing the intermittent pain an inch to the right of my vertical incision, about in the middle of my abdomen. She had me lay down, noted that the same side of my abdomen was larger, and applied pressure, and asked me to sit up while she held her hand on it. She said it looks and feels like an incisional hernia (I had a REAL bad cold a few weeks after surgery, and cannot take codeine for the cough due to allergy, so I am NOT surprised) and it felt like SUCH a relief after 5 months to finally get someone to listen to me and tell me what this is. I was beginning to doubt my sanity with this darned pain, and had already figured out that pressure (Putting my hand on the spot and leaning forward while pushing) seemed to relieve the pain, but still did not know what it was.

There is nothing that the doctor wants to do about it, unless it gets to the point that I cannot reduce the pain and swelling with pressure, then it is a case of emergency surgery. She said if I ever have to have another abdominal incision, treating it at the same time would be a possibility, but she is unwilling to recommend surgical repair for it's own sake, and I agree. It is NOT that bothersome that I feel it is worth another open abdominal surgery.

I just wish I could have convinced my ob/gyn to investigate further and give me a clue so I could have quit worrying about it a whole lot sooner.

Just venting I suppose.

Thanks for being there girls!

Hi everyone. Oh my goodness, I am calling my gp tomorrow! That could be what I have. I had incision problems from the start but it finally closed up. I had my surgery just before you did..Oct. 18.. Here I am almost 6 mos. post op and it is still soooo tender and sooo swollen. I have tried to lose some weight to help out, but to no avail. Sometimes the pain goes down in my left leg. That really scares me. I am thankful for no more bleeding, etc., but this really does drag me down. Thanks to anyone who can answer with some experience here.....

Hi Maggie

Just lending some support. I had a similar experience with an inguinal hernia. I just got it diagnosed. Mine must be treated with surgery because it continues to get larger and I am also having bladder problems.

Hernias really seem to be the diagnosis of last resort. It's as if everyone forgets that they exist.

Good luck to you, and I am very glad you finally have some answers.

Peace.

That's awful! I hope they fix you up real soon...

Isn't it funny how we sometimes start to doubt our OWN sanity eventough our bodies are screaming that something is wrong?! I'm glad you got your pain diagnosed, that's always a huge relief when you've been getting "the lab coat run around"

Thanks for sharing your message. I have appt with doc tomorrow. I had two hernias repaired when I had my hyst. Now having pain on side. Have lost 26 pounds and someone told me that that can cause a hernia as well. Go figure. Sorry you are having to go through this.