Is It Possible to Have Pain Post-hernia Operation Corrected

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your pain, that really sounds very bad and I can't believe that you have managed to live with this for so long.
I have not had this kind of experience, I did experience pain after both my surgeries but both times I had a recurrent hernia and that was the reason why. Have you considered that this might be your problem too?
I would suggest you go to a surgeon just to get checked out and they can tell you the options. I usually do all my research through the internet so googling this might help to give you some of the statistics that you are looking for.

I did read however that some patients have constant pain after hernia surgery and that they had to go back into surgery to get the nerves removed, so my guess is if it is to do with the nerves that you could get them removed and should be pain free afterwards.
I would really get a consult. If you look up a good hernia surgeon in your area and go to a consultation you should expect to get an honest and opinion and could go from there.
Also, how much worse can it get than it already is now?

Here is the link to another hernia forum, it is run by hernia surgeons but you can go on there and there might be people with similar experiences that you had and you can ask the surgeons questions that you would like answered. If you make clear that you would have the surgery only in your area they are likely to give you their objective opinion on the matter. They also might have an idea what might be causing your pain since I think they specialise in that area.
The link is: http://members3.B oardhost.Com/northpennhernia/

i hope this might help you out a bit and that you will find a good solution. There must be something that can fix you, I am sure of it!

Take care and good luck,
lena

Thank you for your response.

Just to let you know, I have consulted many doctors including surgeons over this time and all of them say I do not have a recurrence of the hernia. Most of them, have told me that my only real option for possibly permanently getting rid of the pain is more surgery.

With the experience that I had with the first surgery, I have been very, very reluctant to go this route again. I have tried several other things (various pain management techniques and physical therapy) as recommended by other physicians over the years but none of them have really proved to be of much, if any help. Pain medicine makes it tolerable (most of the time), but this does not allow me to live the type of life that I would like.

I have been alone these twenty years and I have had some fun times but it has been terrible being all alone. I know many people at work and other places must think I am anti-social and some of them probably think that I am lazy because of all of the things that I can not participate in. But if I try to do any of those things, the pain just becomes too aggrevating.

I have already talked to my doctor about recommending someone to try a surgical repair but I just am so scared that I might wind up worse. But like you say, I am really wondering if it could be worse. Also, I am sort of concerned about having the correct skilled professional to attempt this. Since this involves possible repair or removal of a nerve, I am wondering if a person that is just in the business of doing hernia repairs and general surgery, is the type of physician that I should have attempt this.

Thanks again for your reply, I will check out the link.

I thought that you probably would have consulted a doctor already, and I can understand the feelings you have about surgery, my first surgery didn't go too bad but after the second one I nearly fainted and got a really bad stomach upset. Since I went home straight after the operation and since it was a weekend I had to wait 18 hours until we could get a doctor to come out to give me medicine to stop the vomiting etc. . My mom thinks that it was bad tea they gave me after the opeartion that caused it but I have been wondering for a while if I just had a bad reaction to the anasthetic.
Since these troubles I have looked into alternative forms of surgery and sedation and I think that if you conuslt the right surgeon they might do the operation with local anasthetic if it isn't too big of an operation.
On the forum I gave you the link to I have read somewhere that the surgeons do sometimes do another operation to remove nerves that cause post operation pain, and since they operate in that area and do those kind of operations they may be able to help and be competent I would think, even if it is just to answer some of your questions.
Also maybe you can phone some kind of medical board or something and ask them for surgeons that specialise in nerve removal, if there is such a thing.
I am sure that if you do the research you will find someone you feel is competent and that you can trust.
If the pain has affected your life for so long, how bad can a few hours of surgery and a few weeks of recovery be in comparison? I am not trying to say that it will be easy, but maybe think of all the benefits if you have the surgery, and I am sure that a surgeon who can perform the operation will be able to give you an outline of expected recovery etc.
I can't imagine how bad the situation must be for you, to be that limited in social and personal life is horrible, especially for such a very long time. I think if something can be done about it and even if the only option is surgery I would really consider going for it, and I am sure that no surgeon will attempt the surgery if they don't see a chance of improved life or full recovery for you. Do you know how invasive the surgery would be? I think maybe if you really ask the doctors on the forum, or even phone them up and speak to someone they may at least be able to answer some of your questions and to maybe referr you to someone they know that is competent in your area.
I hope you find a good solution soon, you really shouldn't have to live your life like this and I think it is terrible that you had to live like this for so long.
I often felt disabled with my hernias, I had hernia pain since I was 9 or so and never got diagnosed until I was 14, so experiencing pain after doing sports has been pretty much part of my life since then. Also not being able to do any proper lifting and having to say "i'm sorry, I can't do that, I am not allowed to do any heavy lifting" especially while I was at school felt horrible, and often people look at me in utter bewilderement when they see this young, healthy and fit looking woman asking them to maybe lift her luggage off the bus, train, etc. So to a certain extent I know how it feels in a social context, but I can't imagine how bad it must be for you since you don't seem to be able to hardly do anything without there being pain involved.
Have you tried counselling? I am sorry if this sounds too personal and you don't have to answer, but if you haven't maybe you could, it might help you get through an operation, prepare you for it and also to help you afterwards to work through some issues.
I often notice how I get quite emotional thinking about my medical history and all the mess ups from doctors I had to go through, so if I feel like that now I can't imagine how you must feel after 20 years of pain and it might be helpful for you to talk to someone.
Anyway, I wish you all the best and that you will find a good surgeon that you can trust, I am sure that an operation would probably sort you our or make your life a little better and more liveable at least, so I wish you strength, courage and good luck on your journey!
Maybe let me know how you get on, of course you don't have to but it would be nice to hear if you find a solution and if it works.
Take care of yourself,
lena

Well your not alone. Its been 2 years since my hernia operation. I dont think im as bad as you, but I also have reoccuring pain that can last up to a week cause by about anything. I gave up a year ago going back and forth between doctors....As they told me nothing and no explanations. I have found out more online than doctors told me. One doctor telling me the pain will go away....Or you will get use to it.

Well just recently I realized it was not going away and I am surely not anymore use to it that what I was 2 years ago. And after hearing your story, 20 years wont seem to help.

I did change my doctor, and have an upcoming appt in a coupld weeks. Researching this, I found several reasons why this pain could be happening.
Nerve entrapment in scar tissue like you said
misplaced mesh if used or contracted, scarified and hardened mesh plugs
recurrent hernia
constriction or narrowing of the internal inguinal ring around the spermatic cord

i got a feeling my case is the last one since my pain goes from the incision down to my testicles, and I knew something was wrong within a week of the operation. Not to mention my surgeon telling me time and time again how tight he made it. Too tight im thinking. It was never mentioned to me but this place I found online claims the cause can be identified ahead of time thru x-rays, mri and ct scans. If this is true or not I will ask my next appointment. Im not looking foward to it for sure....The pain is on and off depending on my activities or the way the wind blows. Thing is like allways by the time I get in to see my doctor the pain will be gone and everything will be ok for a while.

I almost fell out of my chair when I came across this article. its like finding that needle in a haystack so to speak, I also have been dealing with post operative hernia, Nerve Damage. although I have only been dealing with this for 11 Years. I thought I was reading my own Journal as I read your story. My pain also has been constant and sometimes more than I can deal with. I receive nerve block shots, In my groin, this is not a painful as it sounds. the shots make it tolerable for a few weeks at a time. I have been on every pain med that is available, I find that it is very difficult to talk or even carry on a conversation, while on medication as I am at this time. I have been to two neuro surgeons and they have said that the risk is too high to operate. I too wonder how long will this problem follow me as it is very difficult to deal with this problem. I suggest that you find a professional to talk to, if it is within your budget. It does not help the pain right away but it may help the pain in our minds.
My pain is a constant pressure feeling in my groin, remember how you felt the last time that you were kicked in the groin? well that is the feeling that I have constantly. as you said that it is difficult for every day chores I thought I was alone in this. I am sorry that this is still a problem for you. what does the DR's say. I would be interested in knowing
Everyday things like doing dishes or mowing the lawn is a Killer for me as well.
I wish you the best of luck and hope that we are able to be pain free one day soon

guys -- i really think what's going on here is complications to the mesh product. It's a very common thing and the cure is sometimes worse than the problem. There's information available to anyone who's interested. Also quite a few individuals mad enough to try to get organized and have something done. if you're interested pm me.