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Just been diagnosed with a small Hernia, so scared!

Posted , 6 users are following.

janet44839
janet44839

Hello All,

I wondered if someone can put my mind at rest.  I went to the Drs with my usual symptoms of IBS which flare up now and then.  While I was there I got her to check a lump I'd found in my tummy located just above my navel.  the lump is about the size of a marble but not really hard, but sort of squidgy.  Dr said it was a small Hernia.  I didn't ask too many questions as I was really there for something else and you know how it is, not much time.  She said it wasn't big enough to do anything about.  since then, I've been reading all sorts of stories about hernias on the internet, how they can get strangulated and having to be rushed into hospital for emergency surgery.  I'm not even sure what type of Hernia this is, and I'm so worried now.  Will this go worse and will I have to be operated on?  I'm terrified.  I'm an anxious person at the best of times and this has just added to my problems.  I have IBS too and I'm worried this will have an affect on the Hernia.  I am a very mobile person, do a lot of walking and gardening and over the years, a lot of heavy work renovating properties. I'm 57.   Will I be able to continue walking and gardening and doing things I love?   Any info will be gratefully received. 

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • linda84156
    linda84156 janet44839

    Posted

    Hi, janet 44839

    this does-not sound like a sliding hiatus hernia, which is further up the ribcage, and would be causing you pain at times.

    Best to return to your Dr. and ask these questions, (write them down before you go; then you wont forget to ask anything.) the Dr, should be able to give you time, so he can explane things in more detail.

    Good luck, I hope you get the answers you need.

    • janet44839
      janet44839 linda84156

      Posted

      Hi linda

      No, I don't think it's A hiatus Hernia, more in the abdomen round my middle.  I will be going back to the Drs in a week or so, will ask more questions then.  thanks for your comments

  • moandrieu
    moandrieu janet44839

    Posted

    Janet, out of no where, this past Valentines Day, I felt a searing pain in my bellybutton area. I had to sit down and after about 20 minutes the pain decreased. I had joked that I thought I herniated my bellybutton and a friend suggested I see a doctor. I researched and found out that it's an umbilical hernia, right above my bellybutton. I'm currently in India and the doctor said it wasn't an emergency I could have it operated on when I get back to the US. Except I am actually living here and won't go back for a visit until mid-June. We scheduled it and I had the surgery laparoscopicly two weeks later. My thoughts on getting it done was that why wait for it to get bigger or for my intestines to pop through, right? It it's small, doesn't that make it an easier surgery and recovery? I didn't ask those questions, I just decided have it done.

    I wear an abdominal binder (need to wear it for 6 months) and I can't currently carry anything over 5 kg and can't do any stomach exercises. I'm sure I push both of these because it's just plain difficult to not carry more than that - think groceries.

    Any way, if you have any questions, I'd be glad to help you out; I'll gladly share my experience.

    Mo

    • janet44839
      janet44839 moandrieu

      Posted

      Hi

      I'm not sure what type of Hernia this is, but I will find out when I go back to the Drs.  thanks for your comments

  • judy54212
    judy54212 janet44839

    Posted

    Janet

     take a deep breath. If they didn't say anything more about having a CT scan or more testing , this is probably a sliding hiatus hernia . The doctor doesn't sound worried but you can make another appointment and ask if there are any restrictions on what you can do and what to expect. Strangulation is very very rare and comes from large hernias. You probably won't need an operation at all. Do ask what kind of hernia you have. 

    Judy

    • janet44839
      janet44839 judy54212

      Posted

      Hi Judy

      Have you had a Hernia of any kind and if so, has it been dealt with?  I have an old gallbladder scar across my middle which was done 35 years ago, long before they started doing keyhole Surgery.  From what I've been reading about Hernias, it would seem that the scar tissue has got weaker where the old scar is through time, and this is where the hernia is pushing through.  this might be small at the moment but they say they only get worse and bigger through time.  surely it would be better dealt with now rather than when it's too big?  I've always been an active person, exercise, Walking, climbing, and manual heavy work over the years.  Now, I'm going to be frightened to do anything.  I'm a wimp when it comes to any kind of surgery etc, but I'd rather go through something now than in another 10 years time when I'm even older.  Surely if it's only small too, they'd be able to do Keyhole on it?  Anyway, I'm making a point of writing everything down that I wantto know.  If it means going private, I'll consider it.  Many thanks for replying. 

  • shirley133
    shirley133 janet44839

    Posted

    Hi Janet if it is attached to scar tissue it may well be an incisional hernia, I had a laprotomy 2 years ago as a result of this an incisional hernia developed.  I had this repaired with mesh in September last year and had open surgery.

    I suggest you ask to see a hernia consultant, I went to Mr Andrew De Beaux in edinburgh, under the new arrangements I went on the NHS.  He is a renowned hernia specialist and chair of the british and european hernia society.  I do believe that small hernias can be repaired laparscopicaly, but do ask to be referred to a hernia consultant gp's are good but not specialist.  Kind regards shirley dancer age 69 if this helps.

    • janet44839
      janet44839 shirley133

      Posted

      Hi shirley

      I'll take note of your information.  Was your operation painful?  Surgery of any kind terrifies me. 

    • moandrieu
      moandrieu janet44839

      Posted

      Mine had what they called adhessions and the doctor woldn't really explain it to me, but on line it sounds like something similar. They didn't see it until they were in there laparoscopicly, so it took a little longer, but there was no incission needed. I have the mesh patch too.
  • shirley133
    shirley133 janet44839

    Posted

    Hi Janet

    I will be honest with you hernia ops are painful, I believe the one I had (open hernia repair) is a lot more painful than the laparascopic ones.  You need to see a consultant, to find out if you need an op and if so which one.  Hernia ops are elective ie you choose whether to have it repaired or not, you make that decision with a consultant, who should talk you through all the options, ie leave it, get it repaired, what kind of surgery would be best for you and give you all the pros and cons of the different options, and the expected outcomes from all the options.

    All surgery is scary, but the doctors and nurses will assist you through it all, I even got to choose how my anaesthetic was administered, I said knock me out quick, they did I dont remember a thing about the anaesthetic and in your case you may not even need one if it is laparascopic. 

    My advise is find the best consultant you can do your research on the internet, and then ask your GP for a referral.  My surgeon is in Scotland and I live in Yorkshire.  Surgeons data is available on the internet, and you can get a measure of how successful they are from the published data.

    But first of all you need a correct diagnosis and the best person to talk you through your options, it may not even come down to surgery, I know that some hernias do strangulate but I believe the risk of this happening is about 5% for incisional hernias. 

    I am sure you will find the best solution.  Shirley dancer

  • judy54212
    judy54212 janet44839

    Posted

    Janet,

     I stand corrected. I agree with the others that you probably have an incisional hernia. I had a Giant paraesophageal hernia and it was repaired laproscopically. I don't know that much about your type of hernia. I'm sure they use anethestic for all hernia operations. First you need to get referred to a specialist . It is good that you are active because all surgery is better if you are fit. I had very little pain after my surgery . I took only extra strength Tylenol for a few weeks after. But you will feel better once you get some answers from your doctor. Good luck.

    Judy

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