[marneyrose]

Are my symptoms from a hernia?

Dr Towfigh,

I’ve had the good fortune to meet with Dr Goldstein who was incredibly helpful in sorting through my various issues. He examined me and found a couple of very small lumps in the abdominal groin area where I have pain. He ordered an MRI enterography which helped eliminate strictures as a contributing factor, and which showed those small lumps were probably not lymph nodes. He then performed an ultrasound while I stood and coughed and this showed the tiny lumps had some movement of (I think) fluid. Dr Goldstein strongly suspects they indicate a femoral hernia. He was quite thorough in his testing. He cannot explain the peri umbilical pain, which I followed up on by doing stool cultures. These showed some pathogens which are being treated. Unfortunately I had also developed some upper right quadrant pain as well and my doctor wants to run gallbladder tests. So at the moment I am holding off on any decision regarding surgery for a potential femoral hernia.

Strange as it may seem, all of my myriad health problems developed after I was bitten by a tick 5 years ago that was mistakenly thought to be a spider bite but was actually Lyme and went untreated until recently. So I finally did a few months of antibiotics which helped the Lyme but then caused the GI dysbiosis and perhaps gallbladder problems. It’s going to take more time to sort through all my issues but I feel hopeful because I had pretty good health prior to the tick bite.

Thank you for your kind interest and help. This is a wonderful forum.

Marneyrose

[marneyrose]

Are my symptoms from a hernia?

Dr Towfigh and Dr Goldstein,

Thank you for your thoughtful responses to my posts. I’m very grateful for your generosity in sharing your time and incredible expertise.

Dr Trowfigh, I had to look up CT/MR enterography and while reading about how it can reveal strictures in the small intestine, I almost started to cry that no one I’d consulted for these ongoing miserable problems ever mentioned this test. I know adhesions can cause strictures but I’ve been running in circles trying to determine if that’s the nature of my problem. I also know when adhesions cause problems they can be very difficult to resolve surgically or by any means. However it seems CT or MR enterography at least offers the chance for me to understand whether strictures are indeed the source of some or even all of my problems and then make an informed decision how to proceed.

I also never knew that cramping usually comes from tubular structures like intestines or the ureter. This gives me a better understanding of my issues. But I was wondering regarding hernias, whether some portion of intestine could get caught in the hernia and create a type of obstruction? And if so, could it move in and out, creating problems that come and go?

Given my family history of hernias I wouldn’t be surprised if one snuck in among the adhesions and scar tissue. I will be calling you soon Dr Goldstein! We are lucky to have someone with your talent and background in the Albany area. I wish my only problem was a hernia but look forward to trying to sort all of the issues with you.

With deep gratitude,
Marney

[marneyrose]

Are my symptoms from a hernia?

Thank you Dr Goldstein for chiming in! Which nerves did you think are causing my right lower quadrant tenderness? The lumbar injections did nothing for me.

The lower right quadrant and groin are my central pain locations. It feels like right ovary pain. When I press on my abdomen in this area it is tender. The pelvic floor PT finds the internal tissues like the piriformis very tight and tender on the right side. I read an article by Deborah Metzger and this finding sounded very consistent with me.

My brother and my mother both had abdominal hernias btw in case it’s a genetic tendency. I used to do a lot of heavy lifting until I got this pain.

Btw I visited your website and also watched your video. You look extremely talented and personable but I was bummed at no mention of hidden femoral or other hernias in women. 🙁