Author Topic: Inguinal Hernia  (Read 39988 times)

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #150 on: 11 July, 2019, 09:35:58 am »
thanks bludger. It sounds like good advice even though its not exactly what I wanted to hear. I have private health care and might initiate a consultation there.

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #151 on: 11 July, 2019, 09:49:52 am »
My GP’s attitude changed completely when I mentioned private cover. Getting a hernia done on the NHS is really hard at the moment. As soon as I said I had insurance through work he told me he’d had the same op, how good it had been and so on. Still took six months during which time things deteriorated but all has been fine since then
"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #152 on: 11 July, 2019, 01:48:38 pm »
I was wrong. Ive got 2  >:(
Still in denial a bit despite confirmation from doc. Now begins the glacial process of treatment.  Will look into my private healthcare options. If I'm to be off the bike* id rather it was in jan/feb time.

Doc reckons day surgery, but possibly a general rather than local.  Seems they put some mesh or chicken wire or something in to stop things falling through in future.   
*The 8 week layoff as advised to Skungo is very alarming.

Around 2.5 yrs since diagnosis, and its bothering me a little more recently. I have a bit of a cough which doesnt help, I try to press on it when coughing to stop it bulging out. I'd say from being only slightly noticable, its become a faint ache at times. I cant really see any pattern to it, although I use a walking stick if I'm walking a lot (held on my right) to protect my "bad" l.leg. The tension across my body seems to trigger it a bit.

What bludger said, get it done, the sooner the better. 5 months after my surgery life is far more pleasant, and my symptoms were nowhere near as bad as yours. I gained a bit of weight after the operation, but I've lost that and right now I am physically back to where I was before the symptoms began to present themselves. The day surgery/general anesthetic option worked well for me, better than sitting in a hospital for a few days. If your health insurance requires you to pay part of the cost out of your pocket, do it. It will be money well spent.

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #153 on: 12 August, 2019, 02:25:02 pm »
I was wrong. Ive got 2  >:(
Still in denial a bit despite confirmation from doc. Now begins the glacial process of treatment.  Will look into my private healthcare options. If I'm to be off the bike* id rather it was in jan/feb time.

Doc reckons day surgery, but possibly a general rather than local.  Seems they put some mesh or chicken wire or something in to stop things falling through in future.   
*The 8 week layoff as advised to Skungo is very alarming.

Around 2.5 yrs since diagnosis, and its bothering me a little more recently. I have a bit of a cough which doesnt help, I try to press on it when coughing to stop it bulging out. I'd say from being only slightly noticable, its become a faint ache at times. I cant really see any pattern to it, although I use a walking stick if I'm walking a lot (held on my right) to protect my "bad" l.leg. The tension across my body seems to trigger it a bit.

What bludger said, get it done, the sooner the better. 5 months after my surgery life is far more pleasant, and my symptoms were nowhere near as bad as yours. I gained a bit of weight after the operation, but I've lost that and right now I am physically back to where I was before the symptoms began to present themselves. The day surgery/general anesthetic option worked well for me, better than sitting in a hospital for a few days. If your health insurance requires you to pay part of the cost out of your pocket, do it. It will be money well spent.

Appointment to see the guy next month.

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #154 on: 30 October, 2019, 11:03:19 am »
Got mine done yesterday.   Seemed to go ok. Recovery starts today :thumbsup:

bludger

  • Randonneur and bargain hunter
Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #155 on: 30 October, 2019, 11:15:05 am »
Great news. It is a pain in the arse for a few weeks but having it gone is a life changing improvement. Best wishes for your recovery ;D
YACF touring/audax bargain basement:
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Ban cars.

hellymedic

  • Just do it!
Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #156 on: 30 October, 2019, 02:50:16 pm »
Great news. It is a pain in the arse for a few weeks but having it gone is a life changing improvement. Best wishes for your recovery ;D

Anatomy was never my strong point... Seems I'm not alone!

Wishing you a smooth recovery!

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #157 on: 30 October, 2019, 04:08:55 pm »
 ;D ;D.  Thanks bludger and helly

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #158 on: 30 October, 2019, 04:53:46 pm »
I've had both sides done, last one at the end of this summer. In each case I was back to normal in 6 weeks simply by gradually increasing gentle exercise.
Good luck with recovery.

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #159 on: 10 November, 2019, 10:04:44 pm »
I had mine (bi-lateral) done via keyhole, and my recovery is going well.  Back at work and out of my stretch "lounge-wear trousers" (thank god) after 1 week. 10 km on the bike after 12 days along the flat.  All seems to be well.  Wont be pushing the cycling but am keen to ensure I can do it to same level as previously.

bludger

  • Randonneur and bargain hunter
Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #160 on: 10 November, 2019, 11:02:19 pm »
That's great news, you'll be back to form before you know it.
YACF touring/audax bargain basement:
https://bit.ly/2Xg8pRD



Ban cars.

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #161 on: 15 November, 2019, 10:12:27 am »
I went to the GP yesterday suspecting I had one of these. He couldn't find an inguinal one but thinks I have a femoral one and has referred me. I'm now waiting for a letter. I hope it arrives soon - I had a bowel obstruction 10 years ago and I don't want to go through that again.
The doctor said I could do my normal stuff including riding my bike, but I don't fancy doing CX and jumping back onto the bike landing on that leg, so I think my CX season is over. :( I'll keep riding the turbo though.

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #162 on: 27 November, 2020, 11:57:34 am »
Back to actual hernias.

UHND don't talk to JCUH so I've had to start again, with ultrasound.

"Does it sometimes go in by itself?" she asked when failing to find an inguinal hernia.

"Yes. Last time they said it was spigelian" I said... so she moved her search and started clicking away for snapshots.

(She then went on to ask why James Cook hadn't operated. "I'm too fat". "oooohhhh, they're waiting for it to strangulate. That's nice for you.")

This latest consultant said it was absolutely fine to do weightlifting or indeed anything, so I have been.

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #163 on: 24 October, 2023, 08:07:36 pm »
Another victim!  Came on suddenly and is a sizeable bulge.  My GP didn't seem that interested and asked me if I wanted to do anything about it!  I said I did as it's causing pain.  Reluctantly he referred me for an ultrasound but the wait for that is 10 weeks (and then probably an interminable wait for surgery).

So I booked an appointment at the St John & Lizzies with a hernia consultant & he's sent a stiff letter to my GP telling him to pull his finger our & get scans & bloods done ASAP.  I'm resigned to private surgery and with no insurance the cost is £2000 for open or £4500 for keyhole.  The consultant recommended open surgery, even though I explained how important cycling, running, gym, etc are to me.

What are people's thoughts and experiences about open vs keyhole?  Any feedback very welcome.
The sound of one pannier flapping

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #164 on: 31 October, 2023, 05:56:39 pm »
No-one with experience of this?
The sound of one pannier flapping

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #165 on: 31 October, 2023, 06:11:41 pm »
I had keyhole surgery for my double IH.  I didnt experience pain with mine and lived with them for some years before discomfort made me do something about them.
I used my works private healthcare for this and for me it was a pretty easy experience.   It was 4 years ago.  I’d been told I could be left with pain, etc which was quite scary esp as womens botched mesh insert ops in Scotland were in the news at the time.

In the 4 years since I had it done I very infrequently can feel something from the site but mostly, nothing.   
The wound sites all healed, the slowest to heal was the one in my belly button where they pumped in the air.  It took ages but I am a slow healer.  If I was faced with the same choices again now, I’d probably defer it a while longer, but I know memories of the discomfort I felt have faded. I am 59. 

(Open surgery was never discussed as an option for me)

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #166 on: 31 October, 2023, 06:16:20 pm »
Thanks for that - glad you're fully recovered with minimum trouble.  My consultant is recommending open surgery, as apparently do the British Hernia Association for a first-time single-sided inguinal hernia.  My main concern is the recovery time but as I understand it there's only a week or two's difference between the two.
The sound of one pannier flapping

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #167 on: 31 October, 2023, 08:11:28 pm »
Keyhole surgery for my double IH too. Two small incisions for the meshes and one for the camera. Didn't get the option of open, but this was seven years ago and just before all the issues with meshes. Mostly recovered in a week, certainly in two, occasional twinge afterwards but these have dwindled to nothing. I was told that there was a 2 percent chance of complications, but I was one of the lucky 98 percent.

As an aside, the hernias were probably the result of the 2015 PBP. At least I first discovered them a few weeks afterwards.

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #168 on: 31 October, 2023, 08:20:06 pm »
Thanks Rod - interesting.  I'd assumed keyhole was the "modern" way of doing things but not always, apparently.

I'll know more after the consultants have reviewed the ultrasound scan I'm (finally) getting on Thursday.

I think mine has been in the making for a long time.  I've had discomfort (and sometimes a sharp pain) in that side of the groin for years.  I went to my GP 10 years ago who referred me to a specialist who didn't find anything from a prodding inspection.  No scans at the time though which in retrospect was probably an oversight.
The sound of one pannier flapping

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #169 on: 01 November, 2023, 05:32:58 pm »
...the hernias were probably the result of the 2015 PBP. At least I first discovered them a few weeks afterwards.

Interesting.  Do people think that cycling can cause IH's ?

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #170 on: 05 November, 2023, 10:44:36 pm »
...the hernias were probably the result of the 2015 PBP. At least I first discovered them a few weeks afterwards.

Interesting.  Do people think that cycling can cause IH's ?

I had surgery for an Inguinal Hernia on 03 Nov 23 which ended up being open surgery.  Interestingly I've had this since 2012 and it was definitely the result of High Intensity Interval Training that I was doing back then.  From personal experience, I'd say get an Inguinal Hernia done as soon as possible as mine being large took longer to operate on.   :(  I had a local anesthetic and the procedure seemed to take forever, the surgeon expected it to be an hour and it went on for 1:45 hours.
The hernia was actually not really affected by cycling but it was getting bigger over time.
I think if I have to have any further procedures I'd prefer a regional anaesthetic. 

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #171 on: 05 November, 2023, 10:55:00 pm »
Thanks for that Howie - very useful and hope you heal well.  Have they told you how long the recovery is likely to be and what you can do in terms of exercise or cycling in the interim?

Yes - agreed sooner is better which is why I'm resigned to going private.  I'm having an ultrasound on Wednesday & will take it from there.  The hernia is getting bigger & more painful by the day.
The sound of one pannier flapping

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #172 on: 05 November, 2023, 11:15:44 pm »
Thanks for that Howie - very useful and hope you heal well.  Have they told you how long the recovery is likely to be and what you can do in terms of exercise or cycling in the interim?

Yes - agreed sooner is better which is why I'm resigned to going private.  I'm having an ultrasound on Wednesday & will take it from there.  The hernia is getting bigger & more painful by the day.
You're welcome, the surgeon mentioned similar times to those that I've previously seen on this site (leave strenuous activity until after 6 weeks).

I think times vary depending on your area as I actually delayed this surgery so that it would be this time of year.  There were local practices that offered treatment within a month.   I'm based in Lincolnshire and was given a list of about 10 places where I could get treatment (Website to look at various referral sites).  Might be worth you asking what options if any, you have to get treatment at various different places, I wanted to avoid going to a hospital.

Just to point out my reasoning for wanting the regional anesthetic rather than the local.  I'm very sensitive/ticklish and it felt like I was constantly tensed up during the procedure.  Most people will however be perfectly fine!  ;)


Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #173 on: 05 November, 2023, 11:21:57 pm »
I'm also thinking early winter is the best time so hopefully ready for spring training.  Once the scans are back I'll try and get things moving asap.  I'm in London so hopefully a wide range of options.

Were you NHS or private (and if so the cost if you don't mind me asking)?
The sound of one pannier flapping

Re: Inguinal Hernia
« Reply #174 on: 06 November, 2023, 12:04:28 am »
I'm also thinking early winter is the best time so hopefully ready for spring training.  Once the scans are back I'll try and get things moving asap.  I'm in London so hopefully a wide range of options.

Were you NHS or private (and if so the cost if you don't mind me asking)?
Similar idea to me then.   :)
Mine was on the NHS.