Is It Possible to Have Pain Post-hernia Operation Corrected (Page 1)

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your pain, that really sounds very bad and I can't believe that you have managed to live with this for so long.

I have not had this kind of experience, I did experience pain after both my surgeries but both times I had a recurrent hernia and that was the reason why. Have you considered that this might be your problem too?
I would suggest you go to a surgeon just to get checked out and they can tell you the options. I usually do all my research through the internet so googling this might help to give you some of the statistics that you are looking for.


I did read however that some patients have constant pain after hernia surgery and that they had to go back into surgery to get the nerves removed, so my guess is if it is to do with the nerves that you could get them removed and should be pain free afterwards.
I would really get a consult. If you look up a good hernia surgeon in your area and go to a consultation you should expect to get an honest and opinion and could go from there.
Also, how much worse can it get than it already is now?


Here is the link to another hernia forum, it is run by hernia surgeons but you can go on there and there might be people with similar experiences that you had and you can ask the surgeons questions that you would like answered. If you make clear that you would have the surgery only in your area they are likely to give you their objective opinion on the matter. They also might have an idea what might be causing your pain since I think they specialise in that area.
There must be something that can fix you, I am sure of it!


Take care and good luck,
lena

I have read your reply, and am really interested, I seem to get the exact same pain, I had an inguinal hernia op in 2009 now have a patch and a scar (I am female) and I seem to be getting a pain in my side which goes directly into my back and it becomes very very hot.
I guess that is inflammation, but the pain is really bad, and sometimes I have to lay down for a good few hours, before it will go, but for the last two weeks, it has not gone and my sleep in becoming obstructed now. It feels as though someone is stabbing me, or that the patch is not right,
do you think this could be a nerve ?
I know you are not a doc, but you seem quite clued up !
Regards
Amanda.

Amanda, I read your post regarding the pain from hernia surgery. I had surgery two weeks ago and have the same symptom. Did you get the problem resolved? Suggestions for me?

Thank you for your response.

Just to let you know, I have consulted many doctors including surgeons over this time and all of them say I do not have a recurrence of the hernia. Most of them, have told me that my only real option for possibly permanently getting rid of the pain is more surgery.

With the experience that I had with the first surgery, I have been very, very reluctant to go this route again. I have tried several other things (various pain management techniques and physical therapy) as recommended by other physicians over the years but none of them have really proved to be of much, if any help. Pain medicine makes it tolerable (most of the time), but this does not allow me to live the type of life that I would like.

I have been alone these twenty years and I have had some fun times but it has been terrible being all alone. I know many people at work and other places must think I am anti-social and some of them probably think that I am lazy because of all of the things that I can not participate in. But if I try to do any of those things, the pain just becomes too aggrevating.

I have already talked to my doctor about recommending someone to try a surgical repair but I just am so scared that I might wind up worse. But like you say, I am really wondering if it could be worse. Also, I am sort of concerned about having the correct skilled professional to attempt this. Since this involves possible repair or removal of a nerve, I am wondering if a person that is just in the business of doing hernia repairs and general surgery, is the type of physician that I should have attempt this.

Thanks again for your reply, I will check out the link.

Hey - I have the same - I work out every day and I think that constant pulling of the area causes it - mine is on the left side. email me if you get this

I thought that you probably would have consulted a doctor already, and I can understand the feelings you have about surgery, my first surgery didn't go too bad but after the second one I nearly fainted and got a really bad stomach upset. Since I went home straight after the operation and since it was a weekend I had to wait 18 hours until we could get a doctor to come out to give me medicine to stop the vomiting etc. . My mom thinks that it was bad tea they gave me after the opeartion that caused it but I have been wondering for a while if I just had a bad reaction to the anasthetic.
Since these troubles I have looked into alternative forms of surgery and sedation and I think that if you conuslt the right surgeon they might do the operation with local anasthetic if it isn't too big of an operation.
On the forum I gave you the link to I have read somewhere that the surgeons do sometimes do another operation to remove nerves that cause post operation pain, and since they operate in that area and do those kind of operations they may be able to help and be competent I would think, even if it is just to answer some of your questions.
Also maybe you can phone some kind of medical board or something and ask them for surgeons that specialise in nerve removal, if there is such a thing.
I am sure that if you do the research you will find someone you feel is competent and that you can trust.
If the pain has affected your life for so long, how bad can a few hours of surgery and a few weeks of recovery be in comparison? I am not trying to say that it will be easy, but maybe think of all the benefits if you have the surgery, and I am sure that a surgeon who can perform the operation will be able to give you an outline of expected recovery etc.
I can't imagine how bad the situation must be for you, to be that limited in social and personal life is horrible, especially for such a very long time. I think if something can be done about it and even if the only option is surgery I would really consider going for it, and I am sure that no surgeon will attempt the surgery if they don't see a chance of improved life or full recovery for you. Do you know how invasive the surgery would be? I think maybe if you really ask the doctors on the forum, or even phone them up and speak to someone they may at least be able to answer some of your questions and to maybe referr you to someone they know that is competent in your area.
I hope you find a good solution soon, you really shouldn't have to live your life like this and I think it is terrible that you had to live like this for so long.
I often felt disabled with my hernias, I had hernia pain since I was 9 or so and never got diagnosed until I was 14, so experiencing pain after doing sports has been pretty much part of my life since then. Also not being able to do any proper lifting and having to say "i'm sorry, I can't do that, I am not allowed to do any heavy lifting" especially while I was at school felt horrible, and often people look at me in utter bewilderement when they see this young, healthy and fit looking woman asking them to maybe lift her luggage off the bus, train, etc. So to a certain extent I know how it feels in a social context, but I can't imagine how bad it must be for you since you don't seem to be able to hardly do anything without there being pain involved.
Have you tried counselling? I am sorry if this sounds too personal and you don't have to answer, but if you haven't maybe you could, it might help you get through an operation, prepare you for it and also to help you afterwards to work through some issues.
I often notice how I get quite emotional thinking about my medical history and all the mess ups from doctors I had to go through, so if I feel like that now I can't imagine how you must feel after 20 years of pain and it might be helpful for you to talk to someone.
Anyway, I wish you all the best and that you will find a good surgeon that you can trust, I am sure that an operation would probably sort you our or make your life a little better and more liveable at least, so I wish you strength, courage and good luck on your journey!
Maybe let me know how you get on, of course you don't have to but it would be nice to hear if you find a solution and if it works.
Take care of yourself,
lena

Well your not alone. Its been 2 years since my hernia operation. I dont think im as bad as you, but I also have reoccuring pain that can last up to a week cause by about anything. I gave up a year ago going back and forth between doctors....As they told me nothing and no explanations. I have found out more online than doctors told me. One doctor telling me the pain will go away....Or you will get use to it.

Well just recently I realized it was not going away and I am surely not anymore use to it that what I was 2 years ago. And after hearing your story, 20 years wont seem to help.

I did change my doctor, and have an upcoming appt in a coupld weeks. Researching this, I found several reasons why this pain could be happening.
Nerve entrapment in scar tissue like you said
misplaced mesh if used or contracted, scarified and hardened mesh plugs
recurrent hernia
constriction or narrowing of the internal inguinal ring around the spermatic cord

i got a feeling my case is the last one since my pain goes from the incision down to my testicles, and I knew something was wrong within a week of the operation. Not to mention my surgeon telling me time and time again how tight he made it. Too tight im thinking. It was never mentioned to me but this place I found online claims the cause can be identified ahead of time thru x-rays, mri and ct scans. If this is true or not I will ask my next appointment. Im not looking foward to it for sure....The pain is on and off depending on my activities or the way the wind blows. Thing is like allways by the time I get in to see my doctor the pain will be gone and everything will be ok for a while.

Heating Pad after anything rigorous helps. Remember, that we have a mesh patch that is oversewn into the fibers, I guess you should be glad (I am) that my bowels are not sticking out anymore.

I almost fell out of my chair when I came across this article. its like finding that needle in a haystack so to speak, I also have been dealing with post operative hernia, Nerve Damage. although I have only been dealing with this for 11 Years. I thought I was reading my own Journal as I read your story. My pain also has been constant and sometimes more than I can deal with. I receive nerve block shots, In my groin, this is not a painful as it sounds. the shots make it tolerable for a few weeks at a time. I have been on every pain med that is available, I find that it is very difficult to talk or even carry on a conversation, while on medication as I am at this time. I have been to two neuro surgeons and they have said that the risk is too high to operate. I too wonder how long will this problem follow me as it is very difficult to deal with this problem. I suggest that you find a professional to talk to, if it is within your budget. It does not help the pain right away but it may help the pain in our minds.
My pain is a constant pressure feeling in my groin, remember how you felt the last time that you were kicked in the groin? well that is the feeling that I have constantly. as you said that it is difficult for every day chores I thought I was alone in this. I am sorry that this is still a problem for you. what does the DR's say. I would be interested in knowing
Everyday things like doing dishes or mowing the lawn is a Killer for me as well.
I wish you the best of luck and hope that we are able to be pain free one day soon

please email me if you get this - I am interested in sharing our stories - I thought I was alone!

Im having the same pain right now. I had my surgery in Jan of 2012 and was fine and then in June of 2012 it kicked up again and have been feeling it everyday since. Doc's tell me that is a nerve that is caught up in the mesh and that it should go away but it it's not. It feels like someone is taking a cattle prod to my testicles everyday. Is there no cure for this? I have an appointment for a doc at the end of Aug. Why would they prefer with this procedure if the patient is going to be feeling all this pain afterwards.

guys -- i really think what's going on here is complications to the mesh product. It's a very common thing and the cure is sometimes worse than the problem. There's information available to anyone who's interested. Also quite a few individuals mad enough to try to get organized and have something done. if you're interested pm me.

After reading all these posts they are what my husband is going through. I dont see the link talked about and would like more info, should he go see an urologist or a neuo surgeon. its been 4 yrs since he had the mesh and he had 2 nerve resections but it hasn't helped . Thanks

I feel for all of you writing about post hernia repair pains. I am suffering from the same things outlined by rand82. My pains can be brought on by just about any movement that may involve my core abdominal muscles.

My doctors, physio therapist, gym instruct etc. have been unable to help.

I was lucky enough to have my recurrent hernia op in a private hospital three years ago. I recall my consultant coming in to see me the next day, shaking my hand and saying, 'Thank you and if you have any further problems just call your NHS doctor.'

All my best wishes to anyone suffering from post hernia pains!

its been 6 months after my surgery that the military did on me im 19 and a marine and in the infantry the doc that did the surgery said that there is nothing that he can do it happens in rare cases so idont know what to do i dont want the pain any more like you have it for 20 yrs i dont think i can handle that it sucks u have had it for so long i dont know how you were able to make it i hope that some one will be able to fix it

three weeks after the "simple surgery" I still cant feel my left leg from groin to knee. The injection of local anesthetic was too much and too deep. As a previous post has said it feels like a permanent kick in the nuts this is not something they talked about in the pri op session.

All things considered I was better off before the opp

Hernia op scar pain

I had an epigastric Hernia operation just over 3 Months ago and sometimes wake up in the night with pain in the scar and also bending down to pick things up.I have also tried to run with my dog and this can bring on a severe pain but when i stop running the pain eases,reading other posts on here i'am lucky as my pain does not sound as bad but wish it would go.
All the best to anyone suffering from post hernia pains
and hope the Doctors can get something sorted to ease/get rid of the pains.

I am so glad to have found some others with similar experiences. I had surgery for epigastric hernia repair a year ago and still get daily pain.
I'd like to speak to some of you in more detail if anyone is up for that?

I feel pretty certain that most of you need to get rid of the mesh in you it is builds scar tissue that irritates your insides. I went to Dr peterson at
noinsurance.com and had a non-mesh hernia repair, I feel good about it. (my operation was only a week ago)Read the website it is informative. Hr is totally against the mesh and repairs those who have mesh complications.

I have post hernia surgery pain from operations performed in 1989 and 2002. I designed a device that I wear that is very comfortable and releives my pain 100%. Before designing and wearing this device I could not lift anything as it increased my pain severely. Now I can lift like any normal 70 year old. If any of you would like info on this post here your questions and I will try to help you with getting your pain reduced.

I would appreciate any info on your device and any other info from original posts... Thanx!

My SO had hernia surgery twenty years ago. for the last 5 months he has been experiencing pain in that area. He also has been ejaculating blood during intercourse. He had a prostate test done. The results are 0.7. He is 72 yrs old. A biopsy was scheduled for 2 weeks ago and they couldn't do it because they said they didn't have test results. He also has a pacemaker. They need all test results. Now they are requiring a physical, which he did also, and they didn't get those results. Could be a good thing. Maybe the biopsy of the prostate is unnecessary. He's furious about the way in which this is all being handled by his doctors. He has seen 3 doctors regarding this. Nobody is listeniing to him. Also, he has none of the symptoms they look for in prostate cancer. His pain is where the hernia was, (there is mesh in there now). His pain is now going around his back, since they did a procedure about a month ago to block the pain.
Have you ever heard of any prostate problems like this? We are not in the medical profession, but we do not believe that's what it is. What do you think?

Yes...I also have severe pain along my left spermatic cord and down to my left testicle...I had a left sided inguinal hernia repair when I was 4 (now 36)and had a left sided varicocele repair 4 months ago. I feel that my left ilioinguinal and genitofemoral nerve is trapped.

Anyone had any success with surgical treatment?

I'm 23 years old and when I was 18 had a bi inguinal hernia repair with Bard mesh and six months later scar tissue was already causing a problem at the incision site. The pain continued up until I was 21 and decided to get the surgery again to fix the issue, which turned out to be an ulnar nerve in my left groin area. I went back to the same surgeon that did the previous surgery and he told me the pain would go away. I'm 23 and it hasn't. I feel like somebody is stabbing my in my groin and near the incision almost every second of the day. I can sit, stand, walk, and its almost unbearable. My right side has a hernia that at the time he didn't operate on because "it wasn't a problem yet". But the point is now I feel pain from that. I've gained 40 pounds, tried dieting and working out where I felt it was safe and it hasn't helped a thing. My life is starting to go down hill and I'm fed up. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just need to figure out what I can do. I went to him a few months back and it cost me $175 for the office visit and he told me I had to get a $2300 MRI before he could do more, then it'd be another $XX to get the surgery if there were an issue. What should I do? Please contact me on here. Thank you all.

To the others here with their pain, I'm sorry. I just am fed up with it.

I can certainly relate to the 23 year old as my situation is very similar. I'm now 45 and when I turned 40 I was in about the best shape of my adult life. I was looking to have a vas reversal so that my new love and I could have children. The new physician recommended that I have hernia surgery to repair a hernia that I had been living with with no issues for about five years in an effort to save money on the vas reversal which was not covered but the hernia was. So basically they would have two doctors tag-team me and combine both procedures so all the pre-op, anesthesia, etc. would be covered under the hernia procedure and all I would have to pay for was the actual reversal procedure. Well here I am 5 years later, 50 lbs overweight, unable to have children and living with frequent stabbing pain and managing it with hydrocodone that I have to periodically go in to get refilled and only provides a modicum of relief. I was referred to a specialist for pursuing other options for the reversal and this specialist believed that the reversal probably failed due to the hernia procedure and said that I could pay him ~$35K to fix it but there were no guarantees. Both my primary physician and the doctor who performed the hernia procedure indicate to me that performing a subsequent procedure to relieve the nerve pain is tricky as there is no guarantee that new scar tissue won't simply form over other nerves and ultimately recommend continuing "pain management" with the aforementioned.

I had inguinal hernia surgery in the summer of 2008. I have never had any pain, up until about a week ago when I noticed my right testicle was a little sore. About 3 days ago I started to notice that my hernia site was extremely tender and it hurts to apply pressure to it or to flex my abdomen. Does anyone know what could be the possible cause?

chatterbox, had you lifted anything particularly heavy, tripped while holding something, or otherwise overstressed your incision area? The way I got my hernia initially was lifted a 22 inch [old style CRT monitor] and tripping down some steps while still holding onto it... too much weight at one time in the wrong direction I suppose. I would go back to the surgeon if you could and have them look at it. Don't wait.

I have had a right groin hernia done just 3 days ago. It was a day surgery operation and afterwards you are suppose to get up and walk out. They gave me tyenol 3 for the pain but I almost passed out from the pain. It's been 3 days now still using tyl 3's and I have a real hard time walking the 15 feet to the bathroom. Is that normal? Or should the pain have resided by now?