[Edward]

Oh boy, you too. Talk about opening Pandora’s Box. I have clocked over 125 Dr appointments in 15 months – and counting. I am tired. I really do wish you the best. Please do update us.

[Edward]

Hi William, One thing I noted about the whole process; it was almost like being pressured into buying a new car. For example, I had to choose the type of stimulator to be surgically implanted – I “chose” one not only based on its performance record but also on the customer assistance I received from the techs who would be tweaking the settings and contacting me daily. I’ll stop short of saying I felt pressured into choosing this model, but it is definitely a money-making scheme, like everything else. What isnt?

[Edward]

I appreciate you taking the time to review my posts. Yes, the initial procedure was a “keyhole” surgery. After the discomfort from the gas dissipated, the pain in my groin was clearly evident, particularly on the right side. Okay, so I must admit that the “revisions” my surgeon performed were his second and third, ever. His first was a case referred to him. I suppose I am partially to blame for, shall I say, blind trust. I simply wanted the pain to be gone. Silly me. Quite honestly, my wife and I are willing to sell our home to be able to travel anywhere to find a physician to assist me. This forum has been very helpful. I do not feel so alone in this. I will reach out for a consultation. Ed

[Edward]

Exactly. That was my physician’s thought process. Why cut the nerves permanently when he can “control” the pain with nerve stimulation? Then, if necessary he can remove the stimulator, or even adjust the impulses based on my pain. Made sense to me.

[Edward]

Thank you for the thoughtful response. At this juncture, I have seen specialists both in, and out of my initial surgeons’ network. Because the mesh was removed, the hernias remain, and as you noted, scar tissue is becoming an issue as well. On one hand, I do not desire to be caught up in that cycle of surgery after surgery to repair scar tissue. On the other hand, I cannot live with this chronic pain. I’ll review the articles you forwarded. Thanks. Ed

[Edward]

Thanks for the info. Always learning.

[Edward]

Best of luck with that, really. I am pretty limited by my insurance though. for example, I have been on a waiting list for a colonoscopy for some time now – I am scheduled for my initial GI consultation in October. When I was admitted to the hospital this last time in June, they were going to do a colonoscopy but the abdominal surgery was too involved so I got bumped back. Just to be clear, I have two issues, the colon is just a byproduct of scar tissue caused by the hernia surgeries.

[Edward]

I have been to three hernia specialists, rheumatology, urology, and a peripheral nerve surgeon, all are scratching their heads. Oh, I am under the care of two pain specialists as well. I just feel like I am an enigma, and I have been called that by my doctors.

[Edward]

The spinal stimulator is placed specifically where the nerves (in the spine) control pain in any specific targeted area of the body; wherever they place the “leads” in the spine. For example, “Ilioinguinal neuralgia is a frequent cause of pain in the lower abdomen and the upper thigh and is commonly caused by entrapment or injury of the nerve after lower abdominal surgeries. The ilioinguinal nerve is responsible for motor innervation of the transverse abdominis and internal oblique muscles”, per the National Institutes of Health (.gov). The same goes for the other nerves commonly entrapped after hernia surgery. Rather than guessing and possibly surgically cut the wrong nerve(s) responsible for my pelvic and abdominal pain, they use a stimulator to control pain in the entire area (e.g., all the nerves). The stimulator can later be removed (albeit surgically) with ones nerves intact.

[Edward]

Bad timing I guess. No, I am not Chuck.

[Edward]

Hi, Thanks for replying. After the initial surgery, I had an extraordinary amount of right-side pain. Immediately, the surgeon thought he may have compromised a nerve so he removed the right side mesh. The same thing left side. Then, with continued pain, we thought I may be allergic to the mesh or the staples or tacks.

[Edward]

Revision means removal. My initial surgery was 04/29/2022. Then right side removal 06/22/2022. Then left side removal 08/25/2022. Then, for months, a lot of Dr. appts. and pain medication without much progress. Then spinal stimulator trial (for pelvic and abdominal pain, which they blamed on nerve overstimulation) 03/28/2023 removed 04/03/2023. Then abdominal surgery for scar tissue (related to hernia surgeries) 06/19/2023.

[Edward]

I am not this Chuck person. Sorry he is ruining this for everyone. How can I validate my identity? I really am attempting to glean information.

[Edward]

Hi, I am not sure who Chuck is but if his ordeal is like mine, I am amazed! Yes, my timeline was described as month and year; it has been 15 months since the beginning of my ordeal. All this began with a trip to my GP, who discovered my hernias, that was in February of 2022. My revision surgeries were due to the extreme pain, but also because there was a thought that I may be allergic to the mesh, or even, as we discussed later, the staples and tacks (we’re grasping at straws now looking for any explanation). My surgeon’s name is Stanley Deturris, he has performed all four abdominal and pelvic procedures. My stimulator was done by a pain specialist, Dr. Lipnick (I reside just outside Gainesville, Fl.). Yes, I know the colon procedure has nothing to do with hernias, however, it has a lot to do with scar tissue – from the previous three surgeries. Incidentally, I fully trust, and respect, my surgeon believe it or not. I just think my body is reacting bizarrely to these surgeries or something. I just do not know. All I do know is I am a real person, Edward Ruben, I am at my wit’s end, and I am hoping to gain and add to the discussion forums. Thanks.