inguinal hernia

[WendyCam]

Hi has anyone here been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and, if so, have they had treatment? I have been diagnosed with a small one after ultrasound, unusual in women. I still get a lot of pain in the left side, the side of the hernia. Due to my weight I don’t think the Consultant will do an op but it has obviously been here for a while.

[Jackie1612]

Hi - yes I did have an inguinal hernia about 6/7 years ago. I did have surgery, the UK NHS treated me quite quickly. It was a general anaesthetic but I was only in the hospital for an afternoon. I didn’t have any problems with the hernia before or after surgery.

I hope it all works out for you.

[WendyCam in reply to Jackie1612]

Thanks, good to know you are ok

[CockeyMoor]

Hi WendyCam,

I have had two Inguinal hernias. One on my left side age 32 and one on my right side age 42 . I am now 62.

I self diagnosed both times because I was a Pharmacist so I have learnt what they feel like, how to reduce a hernia, and measure & fit hernia belts( not done nowadays) to men, women and babies.

Both of mine were probably caused at the same time at childbirth of my 8lb 13oz baby. Pretty sure the weakness happens then and then in the future eg.. in my case a bad cough age 32 I actually felt it go on the left. Also of course heavy lifting makes them worse so probably digging up rose trees in my garden did the other.

My first was repaired laparoscopically ( through belly button) which meant no scars but I now have an umbilical hernia as a result ,just found recently. My second hernia was done the old fashioned way where they cut just over the area and repair.

I have meshes on both sides and luckily for me the meshes were before the mesh which caused problems. It is safe again now.

The umbilical method is now considered more dangerous so opt for the direct method. Scarring disappears because it is in a none noticeable area . I took 6 months to recover from the laparoscopic method and 6 weeks for the good old direct method!

To every 9 men who get a hernia only 1 lady does, so we are rare. It is hereditary weak connective tissue.

Hernias are painful. They are also awkward. If you are sat in the car driving they can get in the way. Never force the hernia back. Lie down and gently massage it back. Small hernias should be attended to because they can get bigger of course and it is easier to do when they are small. I think nowadays you can stay awake and just have epidural? I was happy to be put to sleep.

Look after your hernia. If you sneeze or cough hard always hold the area. Try not to lift anything too heavy.

Of course you will have read the dangers of strangulation which is when the intestine pushes further through the muscle wall and does not go back in and then it is serious. A rare complication but it is why hernias should always be repaired.

The consultant will have regularly done hernia ops on ladies who are on the larger side because this is the age group they normally appear. I was ultra rare in my age group but then again the GP was useless at diagnosis in my case and said it was a muscle strain. You have probably had it a long time. The mere fact it is giving you pain means you should have it mended. I am pain free . Get the odd twinge but I know I am extra reinforced now so it is wonderful.

Don’t be fobbed off. I would say that hernias give you a dull ache as the day progresses and are very painful if you have done a lot of walking etc..so it does affect your quality of life and therefore you should be allowed a repair.

I now have a hernia under my right lung. It is intestine protruding upwards and it gets in my way. I told the GP /scanners etc.. for 5 years I was getting pain there. Recently it showed up on a Chest X ray and there was a panic because they thought it was something sinister. After an urgent CT scan it showed a hernia.

It drives me mad. It hurts if I bend to put on tights, socks, shoes etc. and sometimes it hurts just when I am eating. At the moment they tell me it does not need an op but it really inconveniences me and it is painful. Also I do worry and think it is dangerous. I manipulate it back.

I think I am being fobbed off at the moment. So soon I am going to challenge the decisions. It’s all down to money and hernias are not classed as important in NHS world nowadays. Bet if you were a Man you would be getting a repair! They get Scrotal and Inguinal hernias and are commonly operated on.

Just because we are women we are neglected in comparison.

Good luck . Bev X

[WendyCam in reply to CockeyMoor]

Thanks Bev, fascinating and very helpful. I have read that people with IBS might have weak connective tissue and I always have large stretch marks so you wonder if it is connected, I believe research is being done. I first probably had it 4 years ago when I suddenly couldn’t walk, I think it was pressing on the nerves in my leg. It was during pandemic times when hard to see a GP, not that this has changed and then just thought was constipation. I will ask the Consultant if he can do it as it hurts to walk and having had a total knee replacement last year I want to start walking again.

[Nothingimpossible]

Hi Wendy. I have just been diagnosed with a small inguinal hernia on left side. I went to gp because I have a long lump on the top of thigh which was getting bigger, but it dissappears when I lay down. No pain. The lump is a vein.( can't remember the full name) I'm having the hernia repair with mesh some time at the end of the month/beginning Feb. Open operation/anaesthetic. I hope you get yourself sorted. My consultant said a small hernia should be repaired to save any complications if it gets bigger. Wish you well.

[WendyCam in reply to Nothingimpossible]

Thanks, yes I have read especially in women it should be repaired, hope all goes well.

[Nothingimpossible in reply to WendyCam]

Thankyou x

[OldTimer74]

I had an inguinal hernia for about 8 years (on the left side in the joint between leg and lower belly) It got to the point where it was very painful after doing anything around the garden. I had it repaired 6 weeks ago and the after effect was quite painful. I still have a long scar with a lump under it lke a sausage. I have to be very careful because any kind of work or lifting brings on a pain. What I don`t like is the area above and below the scar have a numb feeling. I`m hoping that the nerves rebuild but I`m not holding my breath. The surgeon (who fitted a mesh) said that it was in danger of causing a big problem so I had to have it done. Maybe it`s early days so hope the numbness goes away but I am 79 and hope it doesn`t affect my life of what I have left.

[WendyCam]

sorry to hear that, the issue is if gets infected so probably necessary

[tomdickharry]

Yes, seven years ago and wish it could be undone. Male 70s at the time. I was told it was absolutely necessary but I've been left with abdominal swelling, sometimes pain, numbness in certain areas and total impotence due to nerve damage.

I should add that as a result of swelling I now also have hiatal and umbilical hernias.

[WendyCam]

oh dear, that is concerning, no further advice from the medics?