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Multiple hernias, need advise!

Posted , 4 users are following.

katy40636
katy40636

Hey, I would like to know if anyone else is having the same problem I am. I am 22 and have had three hernia ops in just over two years and I am waiting for another- all in my abdomen. They are also all different hernias- not recurrent. I have felt the hernia pain about a month after all of my operations. Although this is a massive inconvenience to my general life my main problem is the pain and the fact I have had to give up my caree in working with young children because of lifting the weight and it is a pretty physical job. My doctor has told me I have to adapt my lifestyle as long term they can't do anything. All they can do is fix them as they happen. My most recent doctor has told me I cannot keep having operations in the same place as it may cause me more problems. It is ruining my life! I can't exercise, I can't eat a full meal without being in pain, I can't dance or do alot of social activities and theres loads more! I worked so hard for my job and now I have to give it up. 

Does anyone know of any other procedure procedure other than a simple hernia repair. I live near london and there is a hernia center that I tried to contact a few times without a reply. It is not an NHS organisation. 

PLEASE can anyone help me? Anyone even in the same boat as me who I can talk to ? I feel like as it is just a hernia doctors brush it off. But 4 different hernias since I was 20 is just not right. It is controlling my life.  

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • mike18090
    mike18090 katy40636

    Posted

    Hi Katy

    I am a 45 year old male and have been having umbilical / abdoman operations also from a young age, 5 to date and need to go for the 6th. The last one 3 years ago they used mesh and I was told it was "bullet" proof, 18 months later it is back. I dont experince pain too often. My first bit of advise is to wear a abdoman brace it helps. Two Doctors have advised me I carry to much weight. (This is true) Do you fall into this category? I am going to try loose 15Kg and see how this goes. I will keep wearing the brace until such time I come accross a Doctor that knows what they are doing and by the sounds of it the UK is not the place. I am from South Africa and this is not the place. Perhaps the USA

    Other than been cautious of picking up heavy objects it does not control my life, dancing, sport, sex etc normal

    • katy40636
      katy40636 mike18090

      Posted

      Hey Mike,

      Thank you for your reply. The brace is a good idea ! Maybe I will be able to do more with that on. I am of average weight if not a little under average and young so I really don't understand why I keep getting them.

      Yes I think the USA is probably the place.

      Hope your op goes well! Good luck!

  • stephanie16681
    stephanie16681 katy40636

    Posted

    Hi I understand what you're going through. I have one hernia but it's huge, 12 inches. I have no left oblique muscle and I have had two major reconstructive surgeries neither of them working very well. I've had to quit a great job as a massage therapist. I cannot lift over ten pounds. I used to run and weight lift. Yes I get depressed and sometimes feel sorry for myself. I'm only 39 and this started when I Was 34. No one around me understands the pain I'm in. It's constant pain sometimes debilitating. I cannot get disability. If you ever want to talk about it I'm here to listensmile
    • katy40636
      katy40636 stephanie16681

      Posted

      Hello Stephanie, 

      Thank you for responding to me! I know what you are going through having to give stuff up and the pain! I feel sometimes like people around me don't understand that I physically am unable to do alot of things, i'm not just lazy! 

      My hernias haven't been that big! that's pretty big. are you scheduled  to have it fixed? 

    • stephanie16681
      stephanie16681 katy40636

      Posted

      They have attempted to fix it twice. The first one busted open do I had to have emergency surgery to fix that. It hasn't busted but it has stretched which makes my guts not stay where their supposed to. I had to go to a plastic surgeon to fix mine. No other dr would touch it. I need to have another surgery but I'm feeling why bother since they can't seem to be able to fix me. sad How is yours feeling today?
    • katy40636
      katy40636 stephanie16681

      Posted

      Oh gosh! I'm so sorry to hear that. It sounds awful. I feel exactally the same in regards to givings up though! Just a real struggle getting on with life. It's not been to bad today but I haven't done anything too physical. Hope yours isn't too bad today! sad 
  • lesley73033
    lesley73033 katy40636

    Posted

    Hi Katy. I am 54 and awaiting my 4th hernia surgery in 3 years.  This is my 6th hernia in that time as 2 of my ops were for double hernias.  The only advice I have been given is to quit smoking.  I did that 4 months ago but because of that I have now put weight on.  However, when I smoked I was not overweight so that did not cause mine.  

    As part of my surgery last Feb my consultant reinforced the whole of my right inguinal ligament with 3 sheets of mesh.  My new hernia is on the other side and it's early days to see if Feb's surgery has been totally successful.  I am assuming that the same will be done for my left side as well.

    I am fed up with it all too.  I have not told my employer about my nee hernia as I have been old that I will be sacked if I have any more extended sick leave.  Also I have a horse and I am thinking that I will have to sell him as I can't manage most of the time.  The pain, when it comes, is agony.  I have been told that hernias may be down to congenital defects in the abdominal wall that worsen with age but you are too young for that.  Like you, my hernias are varied.  I have had a spignial hernia, inguinal hernias, an incisional hernia and a femoral hernia/

    I would be interested to know whether you discover more about the cause,

    Good luck

    • katy40636
      katy40636 lesley73033

      Posted

      Hello Lesley, 

      You sound to be in a pretty simular situation to me! I don't smoke but I did used to and quit after the first hernia.

      I suggested something like that (mesh over tho whole area) and all my doctors have said no. If you don't mind me asking where are you from (country)?

      I think the UK just can't be bothered to do anything else but a basic hernia repair for me!

      I do want to do more research into it ! Doctors here don't seem to want to tell me much. 

      Thank you for your response!  

    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 katy40636

      Posted

      I am from the UK and had my surgery done at the RVI in Newcastle which is a very good hospital.
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