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Need advice on hernia

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Posted 4/16/2013 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
I have a hernia under the stoma area. It has grown to the size of a grapefruit the last couple of days and today I have had some pain with it. My surgeon didn't seen to concerned about it last month but since it has gotten bigger, I just wanted some more advice. Should I go into the ER? I can't get in to see my surgeon for another week.

Thank you
Posted 4/17/2013 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Tia,

Sorry you are having trouble..I don't have a stoma, but that sounds like it could get pretty serious, and I would definately go to the e.r. pretty quickly!

Worst case is no big deal, and they send you home..worst case, you don't go and it is something that ends up in emergency surgery or something!!

I think worst case thinking is far scarier, so better to err on the side of caution!
Posted 4/17/2013 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Tiaeight, Sorry you have a hernia. That does not sound fun. Does your surgeons office have an emergency phone line you can call to see whether he wants you to go to the ER? How about your ostomy nurse. Do they have a help line?

I imagine he would have warned you if he thought it was serious enough since he knew about it. Still, I think you should talk to someone about whether you need to do anything special around the stoma area. They might also give you some pain meds to help with the pain.

Post Edited (Mossmi33) : 4/16/2013 6:43:54 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/17/2013 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
If it's changed significantly since you were last seen, definitely call up your surgeon's office and talk to a nurse or WOCN.

Be specific about the problem and tell them how truly large it is (and if it's painful). If you are still uncomfortable with what they tell you, go to the ER. If you go and they say "that's fine and can wait" then you can be comforted and wait until your surgeons sees you.

I've personally stopped being so concerned with going to the ER "uselessly" because sometimes I've been unsure, I've gone, and it was something important. I don't show up with a stoved toe or anything, but I do go with anything weird with my abdomen (extreme vomiting, unusual strong pain, etc.).
Posted 4/17/2013 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
I have a parastomal hernia also and it gets bigger at night and also gets bigger depending on the amount of food that I have eaten. It also gets sore sometimes painful. My doctor said this is normal. My hernia is the size of a grapefruit to the size of a small cantaloupe.

Is your output normal? Can you call your doctor and speak with the nurse and ask if you should go to the er? Do you wear a hernia belt or any support garment to hold the hernia in place? I have found this helps mine with the pain and heaviness.
Posted 4/18/2013 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
I have an appointment next week. I have not heard of the hernia belt though. Can the doctor prescribe that? I am just tired of this. My clothes don't even fit! Thanks everyone!
Posted 4/18/2013 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
The surgery to repair these things is not very successful. This is my 2nd stoma and my 2nd parastomal hernia. This hernia is even bigger than the 1st one was. I want surgery to repair it but my fear is it won't be successful and will just be bigger.

You can get a hernia belt from Nu-Hope. I also sent them some control top panties and had them sew a ring into them for my hernia. This helps tremendously.
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