naval pain

[navalpain]

I have chronic pain that starts in my naval and radiats half way up to my xyphoid.  I have had multiple CT's, MRI's, and X-rays.  The only that showed was a small diaphragmatic hernia.  I had gastric emptying studies that com back normal.  I have had to take disablity due to my "condition".  
I was sent to a pain management clinic.  There I was told that they didn't believe the problem was mucle or skeletal.  I was given a Tens unit, which did nothing.
I have become desperate for answers and would appreciate any suggestions.

P'S  I have had a cholysystectomy.

[kitty51]

Personal experience hernias are painful where yours is and also umbilical hernias.
A TENS machine wouldnt relieve that type of pain,its used mostly for muscluar pain ans it stimulates the nerves to settle them down,and increase the blood flow.
the only way i know of getting rid of hernia pain is to have it repaired before it gets to big.
Hope you find a doc that will help you,so good luck.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Again navelpain,

I had another thought, for what it's worth. You said you had a cholecystectomy. I assume that was a laproscopic procedure. It is possible that you have developed some adhesion's from it. Granted laps tend to produce far less scar tissue than open surgical procedures but it is a possibility that adhesions developed and are casing this pain. Indeed they can be extremely painful.

Again good luck to you and keep us posted. Take care, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hello navalpain and welcome to Med Help:

Sorry to hear of the discomfort your dealing with. Tuck had some great advise. After reading up on naval pain, this is nothing to fool around with. Keep at the Doctors because something is defenitly going on there. The advise to seek a
Gastroenterologist is not to be ignored. I feel that this is your best bet. I too would worry that there is more going on with the Hernia than the Docs might think. Please stay on top of this. I too wish there were more advise to give you. Take care and good luck in your journey. I will be looking forward to your next post as well.
Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Hello Naval Pain,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum of MedHelp. You have asked a very interesting question.

I just want you to e aware that we do not have physicians on this forum. It is possible, in my opinion that the small diaphragmatic hernia that was discovered on one of the scans can be more severe than indicate. is not unheard of for the scans to be somewhat inaccurate. I did a bit of reading on umbilical pain and it said that sometimes this pain can be related to a smoldering appendix. I am guessing that they have ruled that possibility out.

I also tried a TENS Unit and it was not successful in relieving my chronic pain. I assume they are keeping your pain controlled through other means. If not do not hesitate to request pain management from your physician.

I wish I had a better answer for you but unfortunately I do not. My best guess is that the hernia is larger or more complicated than if appears. Have you seen a gastroenterologist, an internal medicine physician and a thoraxic surgeon? Those are the three physicians I would consult with and I would want to review my diagnostic tests.

Best of luck to you in your search for the reasons for you pain. Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. I will be looking forward to your next update. And please take care, Tuck