1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Hernia

Genitofemoral nerve block for inguinodynia after inguinal hernia repair with mesh

Posted , 7 users are following.

adele_89294
adele_89294

Just an update. I'm still having terrible groin pain 4 plus months after my hernia repair. Some days I struggle to walk, but it hurts sitting also. Some relief after a ggod nights sleep, but once I am active again the pain starts and increases with the more I do. I have had a second opinion with another surgeon and was referred to a pain specialist (surgeon). He said it is likely damage to mt GF nerve and I am booked in for a nerve block in 5 days to start to try and sort this out. My quality of life is affected at all levels, so hopefully I am now on the road to full recovery. will keep you posted.

1 like, 26 replies

26 Replies

Prev
  • ctrix1
    ctrix1 adele_89294

    Posted

    To be honest, the surgical approach is the best bet. ( as bad as that may sound) They can actually see what needs to be done, and do it, instead of trial and error. I actually asked for surgery, and was told no. They want ot avoid that.

     ( understandably so  . . .)

    • adele_89294
      adele_89294 ctrix1

      Posted

      Hi, just got back from the so called specialist who wants to insert a nerve stimulator and said RFA is only temporary up to 12 months then have to do it again. It all seemed like a sales pitch with the nerve stimulator company Medtronics. I am not comfortable at all with this idea and not confident with this doctor at all. So definitelyI have found a groin hernia specialist in Sydney who I am seeing next Tuesday. He said over the phone do not do the nerve stimulator and a lot of the time they have to be taken out. I actually spoke to the doctor and he said they will be able to fix me. Hope at last?? Can't hurt to get another specialists advice. This doctor has done surgery in many areas and one of them is post hernia repair pain. I will be very interested to see what he has to say. He said Injury to the nerves in the groin by being entrapped in scar tissue can occur rarely, and if this happens, the wound has to be opened and the nerves have to be freed from the scar tissue. This is a very late complication and has only very seldom been encountered. He does many inguinal hernia repairs and other groin surgeries in his practice. I am willing to travel as far as needed to get this fixed. If only I saw him before my initial hernia surgery, but can't go back in time. So as you said maybe "the surgical approach is the best bet". Will let you know my prognosis after I have seen this surgeon. Thanks for keeping me informed. Just wondering if I am talking to a male or female and did you have inguinal hernia repair in the past that caused your nerve problem? Do you reside in Australia? Inguinal hernias are much more common in males than females as much as only 1 female to every 9 males.I guess I just lucked out then! Cheers Adele
  • ctrix1
    ctrix1 adele_89294

    Posted

    It sounds like you're on the right track Adele. I hope that specialist in Sydney will be able to provide some permanent relief for you. Also, I knew that inguinal hernias are rare in women, and I know you must feel somewhat special. I felt kinda special with the hernia I had ( an inguinal hernia where the bladder that slid through) also rare. Also, I got my hernia from doing situps ( also extremely rare). Still, I'm part of the majority group that gets inguinal hernias,  . . .male.  I'm not in Australia. I'm in the US. I wish all the best for you, I hope it goes well.
    • adele_89294
      adele_89294 ctrix1

      Posted

      Hello, I have seen the specialist in Sydney who said I have mesh inguinodynia and he said it has to come out because mesh and nerves do not mix well for some people. I may also require neurectomy depending on the condition of me internally. He also does not use mesh for female inguinal hernia repaiars. There is also a lot of shrinkage with mesh. All I know is I have been in a lot of pain and there must be complications for many people who have had inguinal hernia repair with mesh. It does not seem to have settled into my body. Some days good, some bad, but I definitely can't sit on hard surfaces or at certain angles because it is very painfull. Walking and other activities also agrivate my pain. Even at rest it can still hurt. I'm wondering if I may have formed a neuroma where my illioinguinal nerve was severed. A lot of questions to ask my Dovtor tomorrow. I am going for an ultrasound tomorrow with one of his specialist radiographers. May need MRI, but starting with US. I have since found out during my initial hernia repair my illioinguinal nerve was definitely sacrificed. My other nerves are possibly caught up in the mesh also. I am quite scared because mesh is easy to put in, but not many Doctor's are skilled enough to take it out. This surgeon has assured me not to worry. I know he has operated on elite athletes, although for other problems with great success. So I am going to ask plenty of questions tomorrow and I hope at last I can find a solution to this pain. I want to be my usual very active self and make the most out of every day and life. If I go ahead surgery will be in May this year. I'm feeling confident I may finally have found a skilled surgeon who can deal with this. He does take at least one mesh out a month. Will keep you informed. Are you aware of anyone else who has had mesh removed?
  • Douglaz
    Douglaz adele_89294

    Posted

    How did the nerve block work out for you. I'm going through this now and had a second treatment yesterday.

    The first only lasted a couple of hours and the second seamed to have worn off in about 18 hours.

    • ctrix1
      ctrix1 Douglaz

      Posted

      Those sound like diagnostic nerve blocks. Was it an injection of lidocaine or something simillar? A more permanent nerve block is RFA (radio frequency ablation) or a chemical that actually kills the nerve, like phenyl or alcohol. Also nerve blocks are usually guided by ultrasound.
    • Douglaz
      Douglaz ctrix1

      Posted

      I think we were just at the diagnosis part of the venture. The good news is that it actually might only be a staple which I'm having removed on Monday.

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.