Has anybody had a hernia?

tunguska

Hi
Ive had a kind of stinging/burning pain in my lower left abdomen for the last few months. Although its not really painful its more of a nuisance than anything else. It comes and goes and I will get it checked out with my GP when I get time next week. But in the meantime has anybody who has had a hernia think that this sounds like one? If it is a hernia will I have to get an operation? Im training for the marathon so if I do have an operation will I be out of action for long?
Cheers

brianthebard

I had a hernia when I was ten. I really couldn't explain the feeling and you're better off waiting for a doc to decide what it is tbh. it will take a month to heal after surgery though if that helps.

BostonB

I think hernia's can range widely as too how they feel. Sometimes they have a lump sometimes not. If your training it could be some other strain or injury. Impossible for anyone here to tell you.

poreilly101

I'm just after having a Hernia Operation today, Had similar symptoms as described by tunguska.

The operation itself is quite severe. I'm very sore at the moment! I'll update with the recovery time.

djtechnics1210

What was op like, what type hernia had u got? i heard of people being off for 10-12 weeks

LegacyUser

I HAD ONE .kind of a burning sensation in in abdomen/groin

poreilly101

djtechnics1210, one word that can describe the op.... "OUCH"

I had it carried out last week. My hernia was in my lower right abdomen. After the operation i was sore but the medication managed my pain. I'm home 2 days now and I'm going off the wall. I have 30 staples in my abdomen and mobility is severely restricted. Pain is there but it's manageable. I'm on two different painkillers and they seem to be working! Before I left the hospital I was told not to lift anything, not even push a shopping trolley. The most concerning part, i was told that i am not allowed drive for 3 weeks. Even if i am physically fit, i wil not be insured...

I hope to be back at work in 3 weeks time,I'm not sure how realistic this is... In this current climate I want to get back as soon as I can but the doctor stressed that if I over do it i'll be back in having the operation carried out again .

If it needs to be done,have it carried out. As the longer you leave it the longer recovery will be. Feel free to PM me with any personal/private questions and I'll do my best to answer them

chillywilly

i had an inguinal hernia nearly 3 years ago. I was lucky as i noticed it early(in the shower, noticed a lump)so it wasnt too painful. I had the operation and it did hurt but not as bad as the other posters i think . It all depends on the severity of the hernia and the prson i suppose. My op was key hole surgery so i was lucky!

BostonB

30 staples vs key hole

thats the difference.

tunguska

Well I have my appointment with the specialist in the mater hospital in may. The doctor I saw who referred me said that he wasnt 100% sure if I have one or not and if I do its very small. So hopefully this lad will tell me Im ok and I wont need surgery because some of the stories that have been posted here are a bit scary. Anyway thanks to everybody for their help.
Cheers

BostonB

Its pretty routine, I wouldn't worry about it.

djtechnics1210

If 30 staples and 3 weeks off work is for a hernia, can ya imagine how long you'd be off for if you had one for a long time.. you'd probably be off for ages

tbh

lads I know we all have the best of intentions but there's a lot of discussion about medical advice lately, and so the best thing is if we just restrict this thread to personal experience from now on please. What this means is, please don't tell the OP if you think he has a hernia or not, just let him know if you have had one, and what it was like. This means no posts that begin with, or contain, the expression "I heard"

thanks,
mods

djtechnics1210

poreilly101 wrote: »

I'm just after having a Hernia Operation today, Had similar symptoms as described by tunguska.

The operation itself is quite severe. I'm very sore at the moment! I'll update with the recovery time.

Any updates on how long recovery will be for you

Martron

hey,

well i was diagnosed with a hernia by the doctor the other day and he read me the riot act says it was ridiculously big.

anyway what were peoples waiting time. i have health insurance so will that speed up the whole waiting list?

now the doctor said mine was quite bad. has anyone here had a bad one and how has that affected the recovery time!!!

not looking for advice just experience from other posters

Woden

I was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia about 10 years ago. Had it removed/fixed then shortly after.

However I possessed no pain the only symptom I had was funnily enough an enlarged scrotum. I got this checked out and if I recall correctly it was due to fluid getting in which disappeared when lying down.

I had the operation then left the hospital the next day. I cannot recall how long I was laid up for but could not lift anything heavy for months.

ssornareik

Hi all, this treat is a great read,
I am sure i have this condition and i'm going to see the doctors as soon as i can. I dont have insurance and i am currently out of work. My question is, how much would this operation cost?

tunguska

ssornareik wrote: »

Hi all, this treat is a great read,
I am sure i have this condition and i'm going to see the doctors as soon as i can. I dont have insurance and i am currently out of work. My question is, how much would this operation cost?

I wondered the same thing at the time when I thought I had a hernia. I asked the doc and he said youre covered for an operation like this, the state pays. I know you said youre not working right now but I assume you have had a job before and so have paid taxes throughout your adult life?

ssornareik

Hi, That's good news. Yes i have, I was employed, if the state pays then it means I had to contribute to the state health care through PRSI. I earned a fair bit last year and payed PRSI so i should be covered by the state,
Thanks you for your reply, i must make sure i give my pps number to the hospital.