I HAVE A DIAGNOSIS ! INGUINAL HERNIA

[donstore]

Hi Kathy,
Have your doctor write the scrip for the ultrasound to exclude inguinal hernia and specify standing as well as the usual lying down and coughing. This is a standard order. For info on the sequence of imaging tests, see my earlier posts on this topic. If I had a gp who was uninterested in my pain I would get another gp. Just saying. As I have said this can be difficult to diagnose and often you need a specialist who specializes in hernias if imaging tests are unproductive. My gp could not diagnose my problem but he wrote the scrips I asked for and seemed genuinely empathetic even though he could do nothing for me beyond that.

[kathyd]

Thanks so much Don.. Pls pardon if this is a dumb question but are your earlier posTst under the above heading or another heading, as I know there have been several discussions of hernia (esp when NS was posting!) and I sometimes have trouble locating things on this site..
I know what you mean about GPs. I have changed a few times since I had my first symptoms in 2006.. My current GP is definitely interested enough to write the script, just not savvy enough (to get involved any further).
I am going through some changes with docs, which is so frustrating. My long term pelvic gyn who was one of the few knowledgable docs on the east coast regarding PN and pelvic pain, retired, and her overwhelmed colleague is taking over and admits she is in learning mode. She doesn't know me well yet, so each visit I have to refresh her on my long history etc... frustrating!
However she is capable and willing to write a script also.
Thx for the advice on how it should be written.
Best of luck!!
Kathy

[donstore]

Kathy,see this post: http://www.pudendalhope.info/forum/view ... =80#p34134

[kathyd]

Hi Don,
Thanks for referring me to the posts on hernias. I read the info posted by yourself and Griff and it was very informative.
I told my pelvic gyn that want to pursue hernias as a possible pain source.
She referred me to Dr Meyers in Philadelphia ( I live about 2 hrs from there) I noticed in the posts that he was the doc who Griff saw.
I spoke with Dr Meyer's office and made an appointment for the near future. They want me to bring all my MRI disks and reports etc.
Dr Meyers will examine me and let me know if he needs a new MRI.

Like Griff, I had unnecessary surgery with Dr. Dellon and had a similar experience. In the consult he was not thorough enough and didn't listen to me when I tried to explain my symptoms. He also pushed away the reports and paperwork I brought. The surgery wasn't needed and was harmful. It seems that it may have created a neuroma - scar tissue- in a near by area.. and my anal rectal pain started. Long story, I shouldn't have had the surgery but was urged to for quite some time by a doc I trusted very much.I finally gave in and did it.
So I can relate to the positition Griff was in, tho our symptoms are a bit different.
Also like Griff I have a labral tear in the hip..However it was repaired in 2009 by DR Coleman in NYC. Dr Meyers may know him.

The staff at Dr Meyers office was quite helpful,but didn't suggest getting a dynamic ultrasound or Ct scan etc before coming.

Is there any advice you guys could give me to ensure that I get a thorough and complete exam for a possible hernia, and not get dismissed? This is what I am afraid of.
Is there anything else I should bring or do first?
I am a very thin woman, and Im concerned that when they see my small boned frame etc., they will assume that if I had a hernia it would've
been found by now. However, no one ever looked before!

Thx Don for all the info you provided and for posting about this!
It's worth looking up every alley,as something is causing this horrendous pain.
I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming surgery!
Regards,
Kathy
I

[Karyn]

Hi Kathy,
Congrats on your upcoming appointment with Dr. Meyers! He appears to be the best in the field when it comes to identifying many different types of hernias.
I thought I heard he doesn't accept insurance, though. Do you know if this is true or not?
Kind regards,
Karyn

[kathyd]

Hi Karyn
Thank you! Im glad you've heard of him as well. I will be seeing him soon.
No, he does not take insurance. Unfortunately just about every doc Ive sen (with a few exceptions ) does not take insurance. I do have out of network benefits so I have to submit the paperwork, to get re-imbursed whatever the amount is but must pay up front. Even for surgery you must pay upfront. I think I have already met my deductible for this year.
Hubby won't be happy, but thankfully he is willing to do whatever it takes to get me feeling better! Im thankful for that!
Thanks for your good wishes!
Kathy

[Meliora]

I had an ultrasound this week to check for an inguinal hernia. Nothing was found. UGH! I was told MRI is not good in detecting hernia, ultrasound not the greatest (glad it found yours Don!) CT scan is better at finding them. I chose not to have the CT as that is a whole lot of radiation and I had a two hour pelvic embolization in December (with lots of xray during the procedure.) My GP agreed I had more than enough exposure. I am glad you shared your findings Don, my guess there are others with hernias as well. Did you have your surgery for hernias yet?

[donstore]

Meliora,
I have appt. for surgical consult on May 13. Ultrasound only has 33% sesitivity for hernia especially if you aren't standing. You have to do CT with contrast and valsalva maneuver and lying on your side so that hernia does not retreat into abdominal cavity as many of them do when you are lying down flat.. Sometimes they can only be found by the fingertips of a hernia specialist while performing dynamic maneuvers. Will keep everyone posted on my own progress.

[Meliora]

Hi Don, thanks for additional information. The tech never had me stand but did do the "valsalva maneuver" and had me sit up and bear down. Nothing showed up though. Did you have a CT and ultrasound or just ultrasound? I really do hope once you have your hernia surgery you will feel much better! Keep us updated!

[donstore]

Hi Meliora,
I was diagnosed with ultrasound and that is always the first test to perform. CT as described above would be next. Consulting with a hernia specialist when diagnosis is difficult would definitely be worth the trouble.

Don