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Repeated hernias

Posted , 21 users are following.

lesley73033
lesley73033

Hi

18 months ago I had a spigelian hernia repair. Everything seemed to go well until the following April when I was in a lot of pain around the site of the op. I subsequently found that I had 2 more hernias, a femoral hernia and an inguinal hernia. Both were repaired at the same time last August. It transpired that the mesh had come away from my 1st repair and wrapped itself round my inguinal hernia but this wasn't discovered until the actual repair was carried out.

Now I have similar pain and another hernia. My GP says that it is an incisional hernia and it is at the end of the scar from the last repair! I'm scared that the pain will become as bad as it was last year and worried for my job as I always seem to be off recovering from surgery.

How am I getting so many hernias? My consultant implies that it is because I smoke but surely that can't be the only cause!!!

Has anyone any ideas?

0 likes, 54 replies

54 Replies

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  • michelle15212
    michelle15212 lesley73033

    Posted

    had my hides can done and nothing found. I cried all the way home. I just don't understand why my hernia keeps busting open. I will have to wait until August, insurance reasons to have my 4th incisional hernia repair. You know they going to want money, they always do.it is either you pay me or I am not doing the surgery. Well, why don't you fix me and why do I keep having to come back? Having liposuction done on upper back, belly and love handles on February 4th so maybe with that my hernia will stay shut and not break open again......we will see. Good luck to you all. I know exactly what pain u r going through. sad
    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 michelle15212

      Posted

      I'm glad I don't have to worry about paying for my surgery!  However, I too would like to know why I keep getting hernias.  

      I'm back on the sick through the pain and also doing my back in through trying to put my shoes on without my thigh touching the hernia.  Work are being dicks.  I don't think they believe me.  Today they made me travel 5 miles on public transport to see their nurse.  When I got to where they told me to go, I was told I was in the wrong place and had a 10 minute walk to the right place.  I only had about 3 hours sleep last night and was really upset and in pain.  The nurse said that being more active will improve both my hernia and back pain.  My back pain, perhaps, but not my hernia pain.

      They have no idea!

    • michelle15212
      michelle15212 lesley73033

      Posted

      What kind of hernia do you have? I know with my hernia I can't exercise or I will be doubled over. Just walking or being on my feet too long will make it kick in like crazy
    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 michelle15212

      Posted

      They don't know if it's an inguinal or an incisional hernia.  The doctor that did my scan reckons I get them because I smoke!

      Mine hurts but I also don't know why it gets really bad sometimes.  At times I'm doubled up with it but I can't link that happening to anything I'm doing

    • jim811
      jim811 lesley73033

      Posted

      I dont know how smoking can be the cause of a hernia that sounds like bull to me. having had 20 hernias repaired and still ln pain, pain is a very personal thing everyone feels pain differently. just because I look ok does not mean that I am ok. you have got to keep on to the doc as you are the only one who knows what you are feeling, what your bodys telling you good luke with everything.
    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 jim811

      Posted

      20!!  That is a lot.  I thought I was bad.  Mine has been repaired now and they've given my ligament some extra support so hopefully that'll be the end of them.

      Thanks though

  • Leelee11366
    Leelee11366 lesley73033

    Posted

    Wow !! I'm so glad you posted this. I just had a Spigelian Hernia repaired less than 6 months ago, and the pain has come back full force in the last week. I thought I was going crazy !! I tend to try to ignore things, hoping they'll just go away...LOL...but I guess I should have this checked out. 

    Thanks for sharing your experience !!

    • Edinburgh_Lass
      Edinburgh_Lass Leelee11366

      Posted

      Sorry to read you are having problems six months after  surgery. I had a spigelean hernia op six weeks ago, just a slight complication that my bowel was stuck to the hernia. So in surgery for two hours instead of the 45 mins. I had mesh placed over the hernia and t he consultant who did the op said he put many metal screws in and it would not be going anywhere.

      However looking at your comments I am a bit wary. 

      How long were you out of action? I have just gone back  to work but only for 3 hrs instead of the usual 7.  Doing this I for the next month.

      i still get very tired early evening but I think I am trying to run before I can walk. I know I have had surgery as I still feel pain especially when twisting round or stretching out to retrieve anything. I am so desperate to sleep back on my side but still find its too sore to do this. 

      Hope you get some answers soon my friend. 

       

  • roxanne123
    roxanne123 lesley73033

    Posted

    repeated hernia 4 times and cant find no good dr who knows what he is doing its a lumber hernia only 300 people have them  if you are a general surgen they  should no how to fix it i had cancer first at the kidney  thats were those hernias keep coming out help please what  to do
  • jim811
    jim811 lesley73033

    Posted

    hi lesley73033 the only way that I could think that smoking causes the hernia is by coughing a lot. I'm not a doctor but cant see any other way that smoking would cause a hernia. I have had mesh put in all my hernia repairs, but when I have to have an opp for something else I warn the surgeon about the mesh. after the opps no one has ever seen the mesh. so does it break down over time or what? having had 40 plus surgeries over the last 20 years had enough. but 3 of my implants have failed. have numerous hernias again most of them my fault but how can you go through life doing nothing. don't wont to get hernias repaired before implants are done.
    • lesley73033
      lesley73033 jim811

      Posted

      I've just been to see my surgeon today and he was telling me that it does eventually break down, usually in about 6 months.  He recently shored up the whole of my lower, left hand side ofmy abdominal wall with mesh but I have had complications with a seroma and infection.  Consequently, he says, the mesh hasn't broken down as fast as it should so I am having some pain with it.

      I had the right hand side done last year and that has been great.  I was getting a lot of hernias because of an "atypical" abdominal wall.  The surgeon said it was too short and a bit raggy at the bottom.

  • mitchi
    mitchi lesley73033

    Posted

    Hi I was reading about your story about all the hernia's you've had & I'm soooo sorry that you've had to go through so much!! I just had surgery on 3 ventricular hernia's about 5weeks ago & I was feeling a little better, but once they removed the drainage tubes, about 5 day's later I started having pain again. Went to E.R.& the Dr said I had a substantial amount of fluid that had accumulated, & the cat scan showed that I now have a hiatel hernia! Why didn't they repair this when I had the initial surgery!! How soon can I have this fixed? I have to return to work & cannot get more time off if it gets worse! Can anyone give advise?? Signed disappointed, Mitchi
    • jim811
      jim811 mitchi

      Posted

      hi mitchi

      sorry to hear that things aren't going to good for you at the moment I had my hernias fixed 9 the first time then 3 then 6 and the last time 2. mine where all a couple of years apart I would estimate that I have both sides of groin and then a heap in stomach

      area but need repairing and ger 2 implants replaced before I have the hernia s sorted it seem to me that I only have to look at something heavy and I get the hernia back.

      have been talking to my hernia surgen and asked if he can use some chicken wire instead of the mesh as that might last longer or just put a zip in☺keep your chin up and just remember you are the only one who knows where the pain is and how bad it is the doctors have a obligation to listern and believe you. when my GP died a few years ago I spent two days ringing around surgeries before I found 2 docs who would take me on. the first gps consultation lasted about 3 minutes he was only after a quick turnover. the second gp I spent just over an hour on the first appointment had me back for 3 more 1 hour consultation that was to bring her up to date with all my injuries and surgeries. I am staying with her as she listerns and if she is not sure she finds out and lets me know at our next appointment.

      I hope this might help a bit or at the very least make you smile

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