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Still in pain

Posted , 5 users are following.

smigger15
smigger15

So, 2+ years after my hernia mesh repair, I'm now in constant pain for the last 3 months. Docs checked in case it was gynaecologial but they said its most likely from my previous surgery. So today I've had appointment with the surgeon who carried out my surgery in 2015 and he had a good poke round the repair site/scar area and he seems to think it's ligaments etc. He has now referred me for a MRI scan. Would ligaments and irritation cause so much pain? Dull dragging aching feeling especially later in the day, unable to sit comfortably. This pain radiates into my bottom and my inner thigh. Sick of being in pain... not expecting MRI for another 4-6 weeks... 😔 Just wondering if anyone else has had this and what was the outcome? Thank you

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • jonah30439
    jonah30439 smigger15

    Posted

    Hi. Sorry to hear about your pain. It's unfortunately most likely one way or another your mesh.  Either nerves are getting stuck in it or something else-mesh folding, migration etc. if you experience what I did the odds are your surgeon won't be a whole lot of help unless something obvious pops up.  I had issues 5 years post my hernia surgery and 2 surgeons said everything was fine  and MRI of pelvis, back and hip, and cat scan of pelvis came back normal. After exhausting research I found names of surgeons who had expertise in mesh issues and I sent a copy of my cat scan which others said was normal and he read it and found the mesh was folded. I had surgery to remove the mesh and when he went in he found the mesh had folded up into a hard ball. 

    Anyways most likely you will be sent off to pain management and if it is a nerve issues there are some things they can try. 

    There is always a chance there is a recurrence.

    Anyways if you don't get to the bottom of it and don't find relief I came across to specialists in the states that read these scans and no what to look for. One looks at your tests for free the other charges. If you are interested I'd be happy to share their names.

    • smigger15
      smigger15 jonah30439

      Posted

      Thanks Jonah.. would that still apply to me as I'm in the UK? And am I entitled to copies of my scans?

    • jonah30439
      jonah30439 smigger15

      Posted

      The surgeon who removed my mesh and is a specialist in reading cat scans to see if the mesh is ok mentioned that one of his patients came to see him from England.  Anyways his name is dr. Igor Belyanski-you can google him. He will look at the scan free of charge. He is located in a different state from me and we conversed through the phone. I eventually traveled to have the mesh removed. There are only a few surgeons in the states who can remove the mesh successfully. Other surgeons will warned hat it can't be removed or you will lose a testicle or die etc. this just isn't true. Unfortunately surgeons are trained to outbid mesh in but have no clue Howe to take it out. That being said even if it is removed successfully there is no way to know how someone will recover from having Thebes mesh removed. I always try to analyze this in a logical way: first see if there is anything wrong with the mesh itself ( folded, migrated etc by having the cat scan read by someone who knows what to look for -nerves entrapped in the mesh won't show up ) if that is ok then it's usually off to pain management to try nerve blocks and medicine.

      Some message therapy (i.e. Myofascial release etc) could be next. If you don't have burning tingljng or numbness it's probably not nerve related.

      Get your operative report see what type of mesh was used what size, how it was fixated and start doing some of your own research.  See if tacks were used or sutures for fixation. You could also just be experiencing fibrosis and inflammation from the mesh itself. 

    • jonah30439
      jonah30439 smigger15

      Posted

      In the states we can request a copy (CD) of all our scans and reports. 
    • smigger15
      smigger15 jonah30439

      Posted

      Thank you Jonah, I'll see what the MRI scan brings... not anticipating much to be honest... they never found my hernia in first place via scans and I underwent exploratory surgery - so can't see them finding much this time either. I will take your advice and request copies of my scans and my medical report pertaining to my op... thanks again..

  • GRWriter
    GRWriter smigger15

    Posted

    There is fear of litigation on the medical community re use of mesh.  From my own experience mesh pain is exactly where the mesh lies. I have immediate acute stabbing pain at the op site, but also duller pain in the surrounding area. My doctors offered only a trip to a pain clinic where affected nerves could be severed - no thank you. I do find that regular deep massage stops the mess from attaching to too many surrounding parts. Also I take a low dose of Ametryptelene to whiten the affected nerves. Good luck with your MRI!
    • smigger15
      smigger15 GRWriter

      Posted

      That's exactly the pain I'm getting... will be interesting to see what he says... meanwhile another 6 week wait in pain to find out... 😔 Thanks for reply GR..

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