Momof4
Forum Replies Created
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Inguinal Mesh Removal
So sorry to hear about your struggle. It sure sounds like your pain is dibilitating. I can relate! It may be worth communicating with some of Dr. Towfigh’s mesh removal patients for a different perspective. My original lap mesh removal was somewhat successful, but at the same time I had open repair of torn muscle that Dr. B thought may be contributing to my pain. I had decreased pain and was doing well with PT, but then fell down the stairs which made things fail, so that is an unfortunate circumstance! It is a hard decision to make since there is no way to prove that the mesh is the cause of your pain. I pray for people who are in chronic pain, I know how difficult it can be. I hope you find the answers you are looking for. Don’t give up and stay strong. Many times I’ve said what you said, I’m only 50 and still have lots of living to do, hopefully one day pain free!!!
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Inguinal Mesh Removal
What about mesh removal from AWR? Has there been any success there? Can we read your presentation somewhere online?
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Inguinal Mesh Removal
What about mesh removal from AWR? Has there been any success there? Can we read your presentation somewhere online?
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Inguinal Mesh Removal
As I mentioned, my case is quite complicated! I first had a triple neurectomy. Next had lap mesh removal from previous femoral hernia repair, done in Virginia beach by general surgeon. Mesh was covering a torn muscle, which was then repaired open tissue repair. This repair failed. I then developed two hernias on the right. Right was repaired open tissue and left had to have new mesh because of failed tissue repair. Once again, I developed pain possibly from mesh pulling on left and recurrence on right. The final surgery I had was open abdominal wall reconstruction because of multiple hernias on both sides and muscle atrophy in midline. This was in September. Now suffering from same burning pain on right and pain across my abdomen and pelvis. Newly developed pain and pulling at belly button. My body may not like the mesh or I have to wonder if it is retracting with the pulling feeling. but at the time it seemed the only way to fix things. I hope your fix is quick and with less complications.
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Inguinal Mesh Removal
Small world, I have a son at VT! Sounds like you have been traveling for help like I have. I really had high hopes when I went to Charlotte too. I think Dr. Heniford refers patients to Dr. B that triple neurectomy will possibly help. That ended up not being the case for me. I only had short term relief, and never total relief, from nerve block injections. I also have pain radiating around hip and back and pain in inner thigh. I have pain with a lot of the same movements, as well. I am seeing a spine specialist in Annapolis in 2 weeks to rule out/in my back as part of the continued pain. I had an MRI of my spine that didn’t show much, I believe incidental findings for a 50 year old woman. After that, I will travel to the west coast for a second opinion, under the advice of Dr. B, about mesh as the cause of my pain. I really hope you get the relief you are looking for. This pain can be debilitating and very frustrating. I will not give up and am so happy that these doctors/ experts are still willing to help.
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Inguinal Mesh Removal
I’m guessing you mean Richmond. I’m not far away, in Norfolk area. Seems crazy with the very large health systems we have in both cities, and even medical colleges in both, that there are no “hernia/abdominal wall reconstruction specialists” . How did you find Dr. B in Maryland? I actually went to a top specialist in Charlotte, NC and was referred to him. I’m so glad I found him. One important thing I remember Dr. Towfigh mentioning about mesh removal is that it only helps if mesh is truly the source of your pain. I’m not sure how you can know this for sure. Maybe she can chime in with symptoms that point to mesh being the problem. Thanks for your help!
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Inguinal Mesh Removal
I did see Dr. Belyansky and he has been great at trying to help me. My case has been very complicated because of recurrent hernias and lots of pain issues. When I have had a hernia it has always caused pain, so I can’t imagine leaving it open. It is hard to say if it will cause more pain for you. I was not informed of a potential bulge or atrophy after triple neurectomy, but that did happen to me. I’m not sure if that caused some of my pain or not. Dr. Towfigh did suggest in an earlier post that it could cause pain. I have since had an abdominal wall reconstruction and am continuing to have problems. I think I’m the exception, not the rule! I hope you get the help you need.
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Inguinal Mesh Removal
Sorry to hear of your problems with mesh hernia repair. I have posted on this forum under the topic “muscle atrophy”. I had a triple neurectomy after femoral hernia repair that resulted in pain. The neurectomy helped with some tingling but did not resolve all pain. I then had laparoscopic mesh removal and open repair three months later. Dr. Towfigh advised me that after mesh is removed that I may need new repair and it is good to have that discussion with your surgeon beforehand., to see how the resulting hernia will be repaired. That is good advice. I also developed atrophy after the neurectomy, which can cause problems as well. My surgeon is in Annapolis, MD. Where in Maryland is your surgeon? I hope reading the muscle atrophy thread will give you some insight. The best thing we can do is keep asking questions and looking for answers!
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Need help in Virginia
I am always sorry to hear when someone is suffering from hernia pain and having trouble getting the right diagnosis! I live in southeast Virginia and have traveled 5 hours to Annapolis, Maryland for specialized hernia care at Anne Arundel Medical Cenfer, Surgical Specialists. I actually went to Charlotte, NC first and was referred to Annapolis to see Dr. Igor Belyansky. He has been great. I also know that Dr. Towfigh has recommended Dr. Sharon Bachman in Fairfax, VA. I wish you the best in finding the right specialist. It is very important for a good outcome. I have had multiple hernias and surgeries which have resulted in problems. My next trip will be to CA. My health is worth it!
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Muscle atrophy
I had an early follow up on Tuesday due to the amount of pain I am having. A CT of abdomen and pelvis showed the mesh is in place and flat and didn’t show any recurrence. I then had MRI of pelvis and spine. Dr. B thinks maybe the pain could be related to a spine issue, since no recurrence was seen. Of course, I worry about whether the scans were read correctly, since they weren’t in the past. He did see some abnormalities at T11 and T12 which could cause groin pain. I am waiting on the report and going to take it to spine specialist in my home town to see if they agree it could cause the amoun of groin and abdominal pain I am having. The pain is everywhere the large mesh is. I have always had some back pain associated with my hernias, but seems referred from groin. I am so thankful that Dr. B is willing to continue to help me. If no success with my back, Dr. B will be referring me to the west coast to see you or Dr. Chen. I told him I have been communicating on this forum, which I am grateful for!
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Mesh infection: Does it all need to come out?
What are the signs and symptoms of mesh infection?
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Muscle atrophy
How can a patient make sure the scans are interpreted correctly? It is a big deal when you are desperately searching for answers and a correct diagnosis. I had my scan at the hospital in Annapolis, hoping that someone there could read it correctly since they have hernia specialists and an abdominal wall reconstruction program. It is hard to know what to do for a meaningful follow up.
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Muscle atrophy
I am worried about it being misread. In my experience, the radiologist doesn’t even know how to look for hernia or mesh problems. What good is imaging if it can’t be read correctly? Before my last procedure, I had a CT scan and the radiologist didn’t see anything and the Dr didn’t either. The fellow saw some muscle atrophy the day before my procedure. I don’t understand how the scan was negative but my OR report says the following things were addressed- right direct and Indirect inguinal hernia, right femoral hernia, left femoral hernia, left indirect inguinal hernia, supra pubic weakness and symptomatic diastasis. How could I have multiple hernias, that were causing lots of pain, and they weren’t seen?! On the day after my surgery the fellow seemed surprised that I had “multiple hernias”. Knowing what was seen during surgery, I have to wonder if the radiologist or Dr would see them on imaging.now. Thank you for your help with this and for educating other physicians and radiologists about this problem.
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Muscle atrophy
I have seen recent posts about imaging and which imaging is best for hernia detection, especially after mesh implantation. I have had multiple hernia surgeries and the latest surgery was AWR. I am scheduled to have a CT scan before my follow up. After reading some responses, I am not sure a CT scan will be best for detecting problems after such a large mesh implantation. I am having severe groin pain and abdominal pain and want to get the best imaging to detect any problems. Also worried about the radiation from CT, especially since I have had false negative ones, or at least ones that were misread, in the past. Do you suggest MRI,and if so, why? Thank you for your help!
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Serious pain, femoral hernia maybe?
I feel the same way about this article. My hernia pain matched so many of these symptoms. When I read it three years ago, I actually emailed Dr. Metzger and she kindly answered and helped me find a Doctor that she thought could help. I was told by a local general surgeon that I should wait at least six more months and see if the pain resolved because hernias in women was the newest hot topic on the Internet! I am thankful I found someone else that believed me. Thanks, again, Dr. Towfigh, for bringing this topic to light. You have helped so many!
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Muscle atrophy
I appreciate your response. I certainly agree about the Annapolis practice, highly skilled, no doubt. I am very thankful for the help they have given me so far. I have a follow up in May. I will try to compose a condensed post that may be helpful to other patients. I hate that anyone is suffering from groin/pelvic pain like I am. It is not easy to deal with and I am grateful for this forum. I may end up making the trip across country to see you at some point in my journey. Thank you!
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Muscle atrophy
Groin pain can be very confusing and very hard to deal with, as I’m sure you know! My case is somewhat complicated since I have had multiple repairs and keep having the groin pain return after a period of time. Each time, with a new procedure, something new has been found to repair. Is there a way to email your directly to discuss my situation? I have been treated by a close colleague of yours, in Annapolis, MD. I live in VA, five hours away from MD, but have traveled for his expertise.
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Muscle atrophy
Can a problem with SI joint cause groin pain? I have had triple neurectomy and multiple hernia repairs and have recurrent groin pain and pain in lower back/buttock on the same side. It is hard to tell if back pain causes groin pain or if groin pain causes back pain. What is the role of the SI Jioint in groin pain and where would the pain be located?