In Pain

[gymbeam]

I have recently been diagnosed with a abdominal muscle tear (diastatis recti).  Does anyone have this?.   I  have some pain in my back but a lot of pain in my abdominal area.  I have upper and lower pain in my abominal area.  When I move or bend it feels worse.  Thinking about surgery, but am not sure what to do.  

[organicqueen]

Yes, you have been most helpful.  I have had serveral surgeries and suffer from adhensions.  I thought this pain was adhensions pain but after several months they finally diagnosed me with this tear.  IT is not getting better but I am in no rush to get another surgery.  

[Tuckamore]

Hi Gymbeam,

A tardy Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am sorry to hear about your injury and resulting pain.

It's difficult for me to advise you for or against surgery. It has to be your decision. However with that said I can suggest that you do exactly what is appears you are doing, research and learn everything you can about your condition and options available to you. I am assuming this surgery will be done with a mesh implant. The following is based on that assumption.

Bare with me for a moment while I explain a bit about my experience. Although I don't have the same condition that you do, I have a similar one. I have a rare muscle(s) tear called a lumbar hernia. Only 300 ppl in the world have this condition, mine was caused by a seat-belt. The term Lumbar is deceiving and most ppl have never hear of this. The tear is actually from mid-line abd and extends into the lumbar area of the back, not the spine. I chose the only option presented to me at the time, surgical correction. This means I had a huge piece of mesh inserted that basically cover my entire right side and into the back. The largest repair that a very prominent and astute surgeon had ever preformed... and other surgeons have since marveled at his skill.

Here's the issue. The mesh has failed and I am left with severe pain and huge limitations. It cannot be repaired do to the extensive amount of adhesions and damage that was done by the seat-belt and muscle tear / hernia repair.  In time I am told I will obstruct permanently (bowel obstruction) and even then surgery will not be an option.  

So think about the consequences in five -ten years down the road.... and Ask about the possible complications. Yours may not be as massive as mine and they have improved upon these mesh implants but know what you may face. Ask, ask ask and then weight the pros and cons before you make your decision. I may have waited but I may have not. But I knew nothing about the future consequence, nothing!! I didn't ask.... didn't understand the seriousness and the rarity of the condition. As a active health care professional at the time I was stupid & foolish, uneducated in the area ... and sadly was not given any information. Again I don't know if I would have made a different decision. However I would have liked to have had the opportunity to be involved in the decision process, educated in consequences, etc.

I don't know if this has been helpful or not.  I just want you to be more informed then I was before you make any decisions. A second opinion can't hurt. Research and read everything you can. Know what lies ahead and all your options.

I wish you well and hope that you will let us know your decision. I'll look forward to your updates.

Wishing you the Very Best,
~Tuck