Posted by Jeff on May 22, 2009, 6:56 pm, in reply to "Re: For Hernia MD and ALL others -- plug removal, pain, a question and a cautionary tale "
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Hernia MD, thanks very much for your suggestions. Many people have said further surgery is not a good idea, due to an increasing amount of scar tissue, but I have been wondering about the PHS, so your view at least confirms that I should look into that. I don't feel like my problem is a reaction to mesh, however. It feels more like things have been cut that shouldn't have been or that something is trapped and pulling. My pain extends/radiates into my left lower back along lines that are related to muscles and nerves that pass through the site of the surgery. It also includes occasional flaming down my left leg and a general dull pain in the area of the surgery and below. I was led to believe that a triple neurectomy would pretty much take care of any pain, but apparently not. Could the PHS be contributing to the pain I describe?
Also, what do you think of the idea of contacting the Shouldice Institute? There are days when I wonder if just getting the whole damn thing out of me might help...?? There are days when I've considered just doing this myself... :-)
On another note, I think it's critical that there be better education of GP's as well as "local" surgeons in smaller hospitals. They just don't seem to know much about post-herniorrhaphy pain issues and related research and/or about the research and debate over the plug. I've had the unfortunate role of educating my local doctors and surgeons.
DJ3 -- I am, as you might imagine, very sympathetic. If you haven't tried them, I strongly suggest Lyrica and Tramadol, and, possibly, Cymbalta as non-addictive pain meds that have really worked for me. My certified pain specialist has been a godsend, especially given he's been through a similar problem that he resolved over a long period of time. All three of these drugs have genuinely helped save me from the brink (I'm not kidding or overstating here...), and they've made it possible for me to go on with my life, pretty successfully putting on a good face and pretending that someday I may once again be alright.
To any other readers: I'll also appreciate additional suggestions about hernia specialists I might contact.
Thanks to all!
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