hernia

[Twids]

hi there

i have a hernia that is placed on my pubic bone and was born with it, i have consulted my GP a few years back as it use to pain and bother me. as time passed it went away and the doctor told me not to bother with it unless it gives me discomfort continously guess i was too young at that time.
im 25 now and recently i have this pressure/bulge just above the pubic bone so to say where the bladder is. it would have this dull ache that comes and goes with a striking shot ... i went for a pelvis scan to view the ovaries, bladder, kidneys and everything was found to be normal except there were a few follicles on my right ovary which they said is not a concern...
the swelling has gone down abit as i had a colon problem as well that accompanied it.... i have changed my eating habits etc...
my question is, is this my hernia causing the discomfort with pressure and fullness feeling or is this something else?

thanks

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

It is hard to answer your question on the basis of symptoms alone. Usually, if the discomfort is due to your hernia, then I would expect there to be tenderness on the one side when that area is examined, especially in the upright position. Also, lifting and straining should increase or bring on the discomfort. There is often a bulge, but one that is to one side and that may change when you are lying down and increase when you are standing or increasing abdominal pressure.
A general surgeon would be the person to see.
S.A.Liroff, M.D.

[Twids]

yes it is on the pubic bone. it is fairly large than an average one,and no its not protuding to my belly button although recently i have felt abit of hardness around my belly but not sure if this is part of me gyming my abdomen which is forming. i thnk that i should see a doctor to examine my colon as i have seen a surgeon and couldnt find the problem but to say that it could only be my colon that is abit swollen and causing the pain (dont have it anymore) from lower right abdomen all around to the left close to the belly. it is really confusing and not sure what is going on....Surmising?? meaning surprized? mindboggling??

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

I am getting more of a handle on what you are describing. The bulge is in the midline but and the discomfort is in your vaginal area and above the pubic bone? And it all goes away when you lie down? Is the bulge in your belly button? That is the only midline bulge that I can think of that you would have had since birth other than some really rare situations with thin abdominal muscles that bulge (not hernias). Maybe you just have a very large, full colon that is protruding when you stand and is not obvious when you lie down. But, all of this is surmising. You need to see a surgeon.
As to hernia surgeries, they are often outpatient procedures without bed rest, just limited lifting.
S.A.Liroff, M.D.

[Twids]

hi there

thank you for answering my question... generally what you have commented on and pointed out is the problem! when standing upright i can feel the pressure below but the tenderness feeling moves from the right to the left and varies...but as soon as i lay down on my back the pressure feeling or bulge dissappears... i guess i would have to see a surgeon to sought this out and perhaps repair the hernia.... if this were the case: how long does the operation take and how does it mean i would have to be in bed rest??

[Twids]

can anyone please enlighten me on this???