Hernia Advice !!!

kingrollo

Whilst doing some exercises to help with another Injury, I noticed a lump in my groin - a little bit smaller than a golf ball - not painful - and it had gone the next day. My GP thinks it a hernia and has referred me to s specialist (amazing but true) - She did warn that they wouldn't necessarily operate .

I have had quite a few problems with groin pain, and some times get a bit of discomfort 'down there' - so was hopeful if surgery was offered and successful it might resolve this issue. GP says that I fine to carry on gym and cycling - its only a problem if strangulation occurs (rare)

So I haven't seen the specialist yet - but was wondering if anyone has used any type of hernia support belt - they all look terribly cumbersome things likley to cause chafing, so does anyone know of cycling specific one ?

any other advice appreciated....

Blancmange

kingrollo wrote:

So I haven't seen the specialist yet - but was wondering if anyone has used any type of hernia support belt - they all look terribly cumbersome things likley to cause chafing, so does anyone know of cycling specific one ?

any other advice appreciated....

Had my Inguinal Hernia op done a few weeks back(even started a post-op thread about it, hereabouts).

It sounds as if yours is still quite small at the moment, so just go about your daily life. If it pops out, pop it back in.
I carried on riding. Did odd 100-milers, etc, up until my surgery.

My consultant said they only advise patients who can't undergo surgery, i.e. the very elderly or infirm, to wear
a truss of some nature. He said they are very uncomfortable to wear.

All being well, you'll be in for surgery in the next few months, so don't worry about things.

I was back on the push-bike(but no hills) a week after my op.

Some people recover very quickly from the operation, some take longer. Just take it steady and NO heavy lifting
for 6 weeks after surgery and you'll be right as rain.

Good luck.

cyco2

I had a small lump appear in my groin that got larger so I went to the Doc's and inspected it while I was lying down. Bit stupid that cause a hernia struggles to pop out when lying down. I saw a specialist who is going to operate soon. So, don't see why yours is reluctant too operate. You must be entitled to one. Get a support as soon as possible because without it it will get bigger and bigger. Then when its operated on it will be a bigger op'. A support can be worn and cause no discomfort. I have to use one at the moment and hardly know it's on, even on long road/off road rides.
Search 'hernia' http://www.physiosupplies.com for a support and make sure you order for your size.

kingrollo

Im not riding much anyway due to grion and arse discomfort, which has baffled all the doctors. So in some way the fact that something 'definite' has been found maybe good news.

I will continue with pilates\swimming and nominal cycling - its only 'popped through' a couple of times. But I do get general discomfort in the crown jewels when walking the dog - or sitting etc. ....

i have a neoprene back support and when riding with this - its better - may stick with this rather than a dedicated support.

djsoftware

My advice if it is a hernia try to stop any heavy lifting. I had one on the left diagnosed and a week before the op I was holding one of my children whilst opening the garage door and felt tremendous pain on my right hand side ! Yes I had managed to cause another hernia. Luckily this showed up before the operation (of the first) so I just had key hole surgery for both (mesh cover etc). After the op it was painful at first but it soon got better and could get back on the bike (just don't push too hard).

When I had just the one, I did not try supports etc just kept riding, I found the issue occurred more with bending and lifting, having young children at the time this was hard to avoid ! Good luck.

kingrollo

op here,

seen the specialist tonight. confirmed the diagnosis - said as i was quite an active person it was best to get it repaired. it will be an incision - not keyhole. Rehab he reckoned 2 weeks off work - six weeks back to normal . I will be asleep during the op - but an overnight stay is not envisaged....

does that sound in line with you post op heroes ?

djsoftware

Sounds similar to me, no overnight stay but my adivce is take the pain killers when you should I stupidly did not and then woke up in the night to go to the loo and the pain was pretty bad. I had keyhole and they fill you with gas so weirdly my shoulders were hurting afterwards. Don't rush it after the op just take it steady and as everyone has said no heavy lifting. Hope it all goes well.

redvision

kingrollo wrote:

Rehab he reckoned 2 weeks off work - six weeks back to normal . I will be asleep during the op - but an overnight stay is not envisaged....

does that sound in line with you post op heroes ?

I had an op on a epigastric hernia at the start of november.
Was supposed to be keyhole but they ended up having to make an incision, so have a nice 2.5" scar.
My advice is be very careful and take your time with your rehab.
The surgeon advised me not to ride or do any sport for 4-6 weeks. Nonsense i thought, convincing myself i would be back on the bike within a couple of weeks. Well its now been 5 weeks and the only training i have managed is a spin on the rollers. However, it caused a fair amount of pain and after only 10mins i had to stop.
I still find sitting for any length of time causes discomfort (albeit not on a par with the first week) and the wound is still extremely tender (has healed pretty cleanly though).

Everyone heals at a different rate of course, but my advice to you is don't rush back in to training before your body is ready.

Anyway, good luck with the op. Hope your recovery is swifter than mine.

okgo

I've had two herinia's, both at 18/19! Mainly from lifting weights I would imagine.

Anyway, yes, mine used to come out, then you could push it back in and if you tensed it would come out again, so when I saw it occur the other side (very common) I knew I had another.

The first one I had was done by open surgery, which has left a 3 inch scar, and took quite a long time to become pain free, it required an overnight stay too.

The second one was by keyhole surgery, and this didn't require an overnight stay, but still slightl immobility for the first few days, this didn't take as long to heal and has only left a small scar below my belly button. So if you can I'd certainly rather go keyhole than open.

kingrollo

Thanks guys - calmed down a bit now - just want to get in and get it sorted.

one question - I live in quite a hilly area - would this type of riding be ok six post op ?

Ive had all sorts of sitting and groin discomfort for well over a year now - all scans have come back clear - so I am really hoping this op sorts it. Being off the bike isn't really a problem as I can only do about 20 miles - ive stopped commuting, - I intend to continue with my pilates/yoga/swimming - consultant said this ok

smidsy

For the record lifting etc. does not cause hernias, they are a symptom of a genetic weakness.

The straining simply finds that weakness and pop - the hernia results.

okgo

So yes, they are a result of lifting because without anything strenuous you wouldn't cause the strain for them to happen.

They are caused by stressing the body AND genetic weakness, or more likely genetic unbalance, i.e. I could lift more weight with my back, legs, shoulders as they were over developed compared to my abs.