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Possible Hernia?
Hi there,
I’m writing on behalf of my 16 1/2 year old. For 3 years, she had unrelenting pain in her lower left abdomen, made worse with moving her leg up or back, and when pushed on. It’s pinpoint, no bigger area than a penny. She has additionally had what she describes as a tight/pressure feeling about 2-3 inches above her naval for same time period, that increases in pressure when she eats or walks too much. She has persistent bloating and nausea which has caused her to be quite thin, as there are very few foods she can eat that don’t increase the tightness. This tightness is also pinpoint, does not ever move, and is no bigger than the size of a dime per her. All GI and Gynecological tests have been done, with no answer. Psychological assessments and therapy have also been done, with no mental disorders identified. She has been constipated for same 3 years, requiring daily Miralax, and for six month has had bladder pressure, urinary frequency and burning, none attributed to any infection. All of this started when she was in a VERY high intense physical education class, that required daily, intense abdominal exercises as well as push ups and intense running. I am curious if anyone thinks her issue could be hernias, or maybe a primary hernia in her lower left, contributing to upper epigastria area pressure? Advil will work to decrease the upper area tightness (though only mildly) and Tylenol will work on the lower abdominal pain. My hunch is she has an unidentified hernia that maybe is causing her constipation, bladder issues and resultant upper epigastria pressure. But I’m in need of some other opinions.
Thank you! -
2 Replies
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Inguinal hernia can cause: bloating, urinary frequency. Rarely, pain can radiate up toward the mid-abdomen. Constipation must be controlled.
Please seek consultation by a hernia specialist. This is the type of patient where I would order a dynamic MRI pelvis with valsalva as part of the workup.
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Has she had any MRIs done? I would at least take her to a hernia specialist and if he orders an MRI make sure he reads it and not rely solely on the radiologist. With my first MRI ordered by my gynecologist they missed the hernia. I then went to a hernia specialist and he ordered it again from
his hospital where he has a relationship with the radiologist and they are trained to look for it. The MRI was done with valsalva maneuver which is bearing down while taking the image and makes it a little easier to see the hernia. I guess this would be the route to go to rule out hernia. At least you will know one way or the other and then see how to proceed.
best of luck to you. Please let us know how it goes.
Mel
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