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  • Hernia question

    Posted by Jessica on April 16, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    Hello! I am wondering if you could help me find a specialist in my area (southeast Iowa). My regular doctor believes I have a hernia. She found a weak spot. I have had a pain for almost 12 years(since I was pregnant with my daughter). After about 6 months they ran a ton of tests and found nothing. That doctor suggested I go on pain meds. I decided to try and live with it. Until recently, I have been able to for the most part other than some bad episodes occasionally. Recently the pain has gotten worse and the episodes last longer. Overall I am over it. After my doctor found the possible hernia, she sent me to a surgeon. He kind of felt around but not near my pain. Told me I didn’t have a bulge so it could not be a hernia. Probably just a nerve causing pain and he could give me a drug. But if I would like he would do a CT scan. I decided to do the scan. Even though I knew nothing would probably show up. It didn’t. So now he wants me to try this drug instead. I said no. So you are my next hope. I am praying there is a doctor here in Iowa that you have worked with, trained, or something. I need someone that knows how hernias work in women and is willing to listen. Thank you so much for your time!!!! I appreciate it more than words can say.

    sanibelsusan replied 9 years, 6 months ago 3 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    April 29, 2015 at 12:11 am

    Hernia question

    Jessica, let us know how you are doing.

  • sanibelsusan

    Member
    April 22, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    Hawaii Speciaists?

    Thank you!!!

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    April 22, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Hawaii Speciaists?

    Not sure if there are any hernia specialists in Hawaii.
    Try Dr Nishida. He has a lot of hernia experience.

  • sanibelsusan

    Member
    April 20, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Hawaii Speciaists?

    🙂 Aloha,

    Dear Dr. Towfigh,
    Do you know of any specialists in Hawaii??? I want to come to you, but not working out right now. I am having open surgery this Friday for two cysts and my right ovary. Right by my Inguinal Hernia Mesh and Plug area I want removed.
    Thank you,
    Mahalo,
    Sue

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    April 20, 2015 at 6:45 am

    Hernia question

    Just call the surgeon’s office and let them know you were referred through HerniaTalk discussion board. And that the surgeon is aware of the referral.
    If your insurance plan mandates a referral from your primary physician, the doctor’s office will let you know.

  • Jessica

    Member
    April 19, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    Hernia question

    Do I need a referral from my doctor or can I just call one of their offices?

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    April 17, 2015 at 7:59 am

    Hernia question

    Hi and thanks for submitting to Herniatalk.

    First, congratulations for taking charge of your health. I agree with you that you need a surgeon who listens and understands women. It is not okay to just take medications for pain. There is a cause for your pains and perhaps your surgeon can help figure it out and cure you of it. Also, nerve pain does not usually just happen. In many cases, especially among women, such pain is from a hernia. You need not have a bulge to have a symptomatic hernia. CTs are generally falsely negative in showing these small hernias. This was proven in my most recent publication where we showed that a negative CT was wrong most of the time and 10 out of 11 CT scans were proven wrong by an MRI.

    Here are some colleagues in Iowa who have shown interest to see you and evaluate you:
    – Dr Matt Morgan in Pella
    – Dr Luis Garcia in U of Iowa
    – Dr Michael Burchett in Bettendorf

    I recommend a dynamic hernia ultrasound if any imaging is requested. If that does not show a hernia, then move on to an MRI pelvis with Valsalva.

    Link to article: http://archsurg.jamanetwork.com/mobile/article.aspx?articleid=1893806

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