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Hernia surgery ok, now pain has returned

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mulligan22
mulligan22

Hi. I had laparoscopic surgery for an inguinal hernia on May 5, 2017. My recovery was good. 2 weeks out I felt just little pains. By week 5 I was completely out of pain. My surgeon instructed me to not do anything for 6 weeks following surgery. I followed that instruction and was feeling fine. So in week 7 I went to play golf, surgeon knew I played we talked about it prior to surgery. First time I played I felt some tightness in the surgery area but nothing else. It did not last. Then I played again a couple of days later and felt as similar experience. The following day I felt sharp stabbing pains with every step. Pain in some form has been with me ever since.

When back to my surgeon who seemed to think it was the surgical tacks he put in to hold the mesh that may be the cause of the pain. He used absorbable tacks. Over the next month my pains have gotten less. The sharp stabbing pains are gone. I now just have small random ones on inactive days and pains that crop up on more active days. I use ice to re-leave the pain. I don't require pain medications. However I do not have any pain free days anymore. My daily activities are greatly curtailed. I just saw my surgeon again and he had me get an ultrasound with valsalva maneuvers. I see him again next week for the results. I don't know what comes next or what I should expect.

I would appreciate any input here and advise.

 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Esoteric
    Esoteric mulligan22

    Posted

    It's extremely common to have chronic pain for the rest of your life after having a mesh put in... I'm guessing our doctor didn't tell you this. Neither did mine, and also didn't tell me there was another option to the mesh for me.

    Long story short, I had horrible chronic pain for 3 years and just recently had it removed and now feel 99% better. I'm not sure if that's possible for your type of hernia or not. I had an imbillical hernia.

    I presonally feel like these doctors should be help responsible for messing up so many people's lives...

  • adele_89294
    adele_89294 mulligan22

    Posted

    Hello and sorry to hear about your discomfort and constant pain. I know how you must be feeling. I had right side inguinal hernia repair with mesh, open surgery in October 2015. My illioinguinal nerve was cut by the surgeon to place the mesh. I had constant pain not long after surgery, it was continuous and became chronic. I was totally brushed off by this Doctor when I told him how much pain I was in. I got a second opinioion with another surgeon who sent me to a pain management clinic. That was a total waste of time. He also said he could try and take the mesh out, but probably could only trim it. 

    I got a third opinion, he said I had mesh inguinodynia. I was scared to get the mesh out. He sent me for US and MRI scans and an US guided injection of my genito femoral nerve. This nerve block gave me some short term relief. I decided to have the mesh removed and triple neurectomy completed by this surgeon . This took 2 more surgeries, this doctor does not use mesh. It has taken a few months, but I am no longer having the pain like I used to. I am much better.

    Unfortunately I was diagnosed with bi-lateral femoral hernias a couple of months ago, but both have been repaired by the same surgeon, no mesh. So far so good besides some swelling on the right hand side because my lymph nodes had to br removed to complete the femoral hernia repair. I am at the six week mark in a couple of days. My left hand side I would not know I even had surgery, besides the scar. My lymph node was removed on that side too. My right side has had 4 operations in total and is why it is slower to settle down.

    It would not hurt for you to get another doctors opinion regarding removing the mesh.

    Best of luck with your healing.

  • lesley480
    lesley480 mulligan22

    Posted

    I am on second incisional hernia repair the first one lasted 4 years then came back had op September 17 and have had chronic pain ever since doctors and specialists don't want to hear you stil have pain and insist the op was successful.  Apparently you can suffer chronic generalised pain involving the abdomen chest and face and no reason will be found however I did not have it before the op.  My life has changed dramatically.  Hope other's stories help.

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