[Pandora]

Just wanted to give an update. The effect from the nerve block has worn off after a week.

I’ve tried to observe myself closely and I think it’s actually different qualities of pain – a kind of sharp mechanic strain and pulling (tight mesh?). Then there’s a pulsing, digging sensation – nerve-related? (this was gone the longest after the injections). I also feel a burning ache in the old hernia area sometimes, the defect wasn’t closed during surgery, just overlapped with mesh.

In any case, I need help. I feel awful.

I have an appointment in a pain clinic in a few weeks, and I’m seeing Dr. Reinpold soon.

[Pandora]

I feel really desperate. I‘m in Germany and the surgeons in the EU who can deal with this or even remove mesh that’s laparoscopically placed in the peritoneum, are almost non-existant.

[Pandora]

Dear Dr. Towfigh,

thank you so much for taking the time to respond!

After more agonizing pain I found a surgeon at the other end of Germany who has expertise and who was willing to see me.

He administered two injections with a mix of steroids and local anesthetic, it immediately took away 90% of the pain. He assured me he will find a strategy for me through this pain. His hypothesis is that either the tacks have hit the nerves right under my ribs and haven’t fully dissolved yet, or that there are additional sutures that rub against them. I have almost no body fat and a narrow ribcage, which might make it worse.

If injections and waiting longer than 12 months post op (he said sometimes the tacks take that long to dissolve) doesn’t help, he would also be willing to remove the IPOM mesh – he has done this before and said it’s a last option if everything else fails. But if possible we should wait.

I’m almost pain-free for the first time in 7 months today, and although I know this likely won’t last very long, I’m hopeful again.

I will research the other surgeons too, thank you! I also have yet to decide how I will fix my inguinal hernia. I just know that I don’t want any more tacks. I’m seeing Dr. Wiese in Kelkheim next month – he also offers mesh-free repairs. But resolving the pain has priority for me now.

Dr. Towfigh, thank you so much for mentioning your online consultations – that’s another good option, even if I probably won’t ever be able to be treated by you in person.

Right now I’m very relieved that I’ve at least found one surgeon in this country who listened to me, and who offered to help.

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 2 days ago by  Pandora.
• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 2 days ago by  Pandora.