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Hernia repair surgery in March

Posted , 7 users are following.

chad28396
chad28396

Hello,

I live in the U.S. and I am a 38 year old male.  I had mesh put in to have a hernia repaired in March.  I was doing really well until last week.  I am very tender just below the incision line.  It feels like a burning sensation. It seems as though the more active I am the more it hurts.  It also feels a little swollen. Every web site I look at makes it seem to be possible nerve entrapment.  After reading posts on here though it also sounds like the mesh may need to be removed.  I am very scared about this.  I messaged my doctor today and I also made an appointment in case he wants to see me.  I just hope this gets resolved soon so I can go on with life.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • adele_89294
    adele_89294 chad28396

    Posted

    Hello, I am sorry to hear you are having problems. I have had nothing but trouble since my hernia repair with mesh. I had it removed as nerves were entrapped and I had similar symptoms to yourself. My illioinguinal nerve was also removed (neurectomy), unfortunately I am still in agony most days and my surgeon now believes my genitofemoral nerve could be the culprit. After researching myself I think it is that nerve, but there is also a possibility the illiohypogastric nerve could also be a problem. I wish a tripple neurectomy was performed on all three nerves when the mesh was removed. I do not want to be cut open again, but the way things are going it may be the only solution. I am going in for my second GF nerve block in 3 weeks. If I get relief again we can presume this is what is causing the problem. I feel for you as quality of life is greatly affected. I want to be pain free and back to my old self. Good luck and let me know how your doctors appointment goes.
    • chad28396
      chad28396 adele_89294

      Posted

      Thank you Adele. I have read your story and it sounds horrible. I am sorry you are going through all of that. I hope they can fix it soon so you are no longer in pain.

      I messaged my doctor yesterday so I am just waiting now to hear what the next step is whether it a CT, MRI or if he wants me to come in and see him first. I am really nervous though. I don't want another surgery but if that is the only thing that will make the pain go away I'll do it. I'll let you know what happens. Thank you for the support.

    • adele_89294
      adele_89294 chad28396

      Posted

      Thanks to you too. I hope everyone on here with issues gets them sorted and are one day pain free. I go for my second nerve block in a couple of weeks. Until then just have to put up with it. I have also researched about Dr Peterson. I have had my mesh out and still having nerve issues, my illioinguinal nerve was removed, so other nerves such as the GF nerve or Illiohypogastric nerve possibly causing my pain. After MRI, US Guided Nerve Block my radioghrapher and surgeon swaying towards GF nerve?? Who knows??  My pain now radiates into my right groin crease up to my inner buttock cheek. OUCH. Strange thing is on the very rare random days I have had minimal to no pain. Unfortunately to few and too far between. It does give me some hope it may go away. As you said if another surgery will fix it then that is what has to be done. Sometimes in the mornings if I get a decent rest the pain is minimal, but as the day progresses and I am more active it increases in intensitysad How about you? Good luck with your journey to being pain free.

  • liz44044
    liz44044 chad28396

    Posted

    Chad I understand I too had HH repair in March I dont think he used mesh he did not mention that.  I also had stomach surgery but I too at times feel swollen but i think it is bloat after eating sometimes.  Not sure, but if you have doubts go to your dr and let him check. I do know it take a year to recover, and careful lifting things i was told for the first month lift nothing heavier than a gallon of milk.....good luck to you  liz
    • chad28396
      chad28396 liz44044

      Posted

      Thank you. I wasn't told of any restrictions. In fact, I was told I could go back to my normal activities after surgery when I was able. I went back to work the following week. I will keep you posted on what my doctor says. Thank you for the support.

  • ctrix1
    ctrix1 chad28396

    Posted

    Hi Chad, It sounds possible that it may be nerve entrapment. There are diagnostic nerve blocks, where they use lidocaine injections that are guided into specific nerves, using an ultrasound. They only provide a couple of days relief, but if you get relief from it, they know they are in the right area, and might want to take more permanent action, with a more permanent nerve block. A nerve block deadens or kills the nerve. Another word for it is ablasion. I get one that is from a hernia scar that entraps a nerve to my leg, causing a constant burning or tingling sensation. They choose to deaden it every year, instead of killing it permanently, because if they kill it permanently, it may leave my leg with a numb sensation. Just trading burning and tingling, for numb. Not too good. The deadening ablation, (although I have to get it done about every year) leaves my leg without any strange sensations. We've decided to stick with what works,instead of taking other risks, even though it's possible that complete killing of the nerve may cause complete, permanent, relief. Maybe you need to talk to a pain management specialist. Usually they are neurosurgeons, but other specialists can do diagnostic (temporary with lidocaine) nerve blocks. 

  • mike_47305
    mike_47305 chad28396

    Posted

    Chad. I hear you. The worst part of having "open" hernia repair by the mesh is worse than the Hernia it's self. I have a mesh that was done April 2014. Everything was fine until May of this year. Now I am in severe pain. Like you it's sharp, there sweeling and a burning feeling. On one of my trips to the ER I found out that you can eaily damage/put strain on the mesh from anything from sex, stepping off the crub funny, to twisting weird in your self. I want my mesh removed but like you and the doctor have said. It can be very challenging to do. My doctor thinks that it is nerve pain as well he has given me Gabapentin to try to get me off the Percocets they had me on leading up to my surgey date which was July 22 to fix what they thought was a tear in my hernia and that some fatty tisse was to cause it. When they went in with a camera everything looked fine and there was just a small lipoma but that shouldn't be causing my pain. I hope you get some relief soon.

    • ctrix1
      ctrix1 mike_47305

      Posted

      They tried gabapentin with me and it was just a waste of time. The only thing that works for me, is the nerve block. I just don't know if it'll work for you.

  • jocelyne44618
    jocelyne44618 chad28396

    Posted

    Hi Chad, Im so sorry I have had major problem with my computer.

    I knows its a month   but how are you now?

    I am due to have a hernia repair  in the UK. in October  but I have problems witha narrowing in my throat.  it means that if I lay flat  I have problems breathing  so now my hernia has gone further into my chest so next week I am having a camera put down my throat to see where this hernia is .  I get tired if I try to walk just short distances. I also have PHN from shingles  on the right side.

    Do stay in contact  I really hope you are feeling a little better

    Jocelyne from  Cambridge UK

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