The hernia that wouldn't show its face

[Oliver Twist]

Hi all-

I have been dealing with an indirect inguinal hernia for nearly 6 months now.

From the outset I have been resolved to heal this issue myself, rather than take a surgical approach, unless absolutely necessary.

The problem is, I can't find the hernia. At all.

From this I conclude that it must be in the inguinal canal itself. My physician did perform the turn & cough test many months ago, and confirmed that there is something going on there, but that's about it (no other tests done).

Unfortunately, this has made it difficult to pursue natural healing, because I don't have any kind of feedback mechanism.

To this day, I have no idea when the hernia is out or when it is in. I don't know how big it is. If I am going to do Pilates, I can't reduce it because it isn't even visible.

The only thing I have to go by is how much pain I'm in, but this has stayed at a pretty consistent level from the outset.

So, I feel like I'm flying completely blind here.

I don't know that there's much that can be done to help in this situation, but if anyone has some feedback, I'd much appreciate it. Given that I haven't even seen this particular issue discussed before, it would just be reassuring to know that I'm not the only one dealing with such a situation. :)

[Justyna P]

Hi Oliver,

I've got an indirect inguinal hernia. I've had it for a few years now, and the pain comes and goes. For a while now it seemed to be going well, until I got a nasty cold and started sneezing and coughing, and that strained it and the pain returned. Before I used to do the floor exercises for hernia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjXydhvWH_M&list=FLsDd_CzRj-sEQ4VjEWgFVdw) until it felt good and stable and I didn't feel pain.

My problem is was similar: I didn't now exactly where it was, because it was so hard to find a female diagram to of inguinal hernia and where they are on the female body (I originally thought there must be something wrong with my ovaries, since they're in the same area before I got it diagnosed and had an ultrasound scan) and it's hard to work out from a male diagram...

I would suggest to get an ultrasound scan if you can, and ask the doctor, machine operator to point it out to you.

I now got a personal trainer that tailored exercises for my core to strengthen some muscles (I have other problems that don't help, like a curvature in my back) but they be helped with similar exercises.

I also wear a soft truss sometimes (and while doing exercises and sometimes every day depending how it feels) to help with the pain and  to give it extra pressure. (I got mine off the French Website: http://www.orthopedie-herubel.fr/hernies-inguinales/204-bandage-herniaire-confort-unilateral-orthofrance.html I can read enough French to order it, but there's a lot of products out there for men. You can buy a little rubber inlay that attaches to a velcro strip for extra pressure).
Just google hernia belts/truses and se what you come up with. There's plenty.

I hope this helps a bit :)

- Justyna

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[Andrew]

Well - since I can see my inguinal hernia when it pops out here are some notes that may help:

 For sure the hernia stays longer IN  on awakening (probably b/c the lying down position helps) .. and
 - when I reduce my food intake (i'm on no starch/ no sugars, no fizzy drinks, no milk products except yoghurt and cottage cheese w/flax seed oil, mostly b/c it's so complicated getting raw milk .. ) in extreme case, when I take few solids, but mostly spirulina, lightly boiled green veggies .. which all result in small but solid wastes - anything that result in other than solid wastes is not good ...
- diarrhea or gassy foods, cooked meat, beans .. for sure makes it pop .. no wonder, re pressure when standing vertical
- barely cooked or raw meat (or eggs)  is OK  (do make sure you only get the best quality, I find ground grassfed organic best) - recipe: variations of steak tartare ...
- wearing a truss helps ( see hernia bibble for the UK one I found best )
- when not wearing a truss, if sitting keeping (right) leg crossed over left (for right inguinal hernia) works ..
- good yoga practice,  I can hold the hernia in now for a few moments even past morning with Nauli & Uddiyana Bandha ( see http://www.yoga-age.com/asanas/nauli.html  - also  inverted positions are good:   Viparita Karani (Legs against the wall pose)

All the best, and do keep us informed of your progress

[Andrew]

The "hernia bible" reference was for the excellent website re food, exercises, truss, etc. at http://www.groin-hernia.com/herniabible/about-hernias.html#indirect
For sure for indirect hernias it seems inverted positions are most important, probably *before* doing any exercise and also every once in a while.

[Andrew]

More thoughts - until you find the right person, who has had the same condition as yours, this came back to me from something I read somewhere (and that I do):

You may want to elevate your bed a little so when you sleep the feet are higher than your head .. I imagine this would also help by draining whatever is in your canal if that is the case - or at least sleep with you back flat and with some support under your knees, again to relieve any pressure in  the canal.

[Al]

Hi All,

Oliver - I have the same one (indirect inguinal) or at least the same symptoms since yours has not been diagnosed yet.. With the extra "added bonus feature" that mine reoccurred about 40 years after childhood surgery. As you can tell I am not bitter, not at all :-) 

Mine also is invisible, meaning no bulge (yet). The GP couldn't find it, the surgeon and her assistant couldn't find it either. However it was confirmed during  the ultrasound. Go have one and you'll know what you're dealing with. You never know it could be something else. Also it goes without saying I am not a doctor so don't take my word for a medical advise that should be blindly followed.

I am trying to resolve it without surgery this time around but it has been an a struggle. As many others here and on the other support sites shared - the key is to reduce your abdominal pressure. This is easier said than done but not impossible. Among other things I stopped having breakfast simply because the alternative was to stop working.. This made me drop some pounds as a result, which I must say had  made big difference. I am also trying to lay down every chance I have and I feel much better now. 

But it is not all gone. I must say that this last month I felt much better and even started some light swimming. However last week I god some weird flue that messed up my stomach and now I am in pain again.. and joy to be around :-) But all of the advise from the other members here is extremely valuable - wearing the truss, the diet, avoiding straining, not lifting heavy, not coughing and so on. The drag is that I can't even laugh so it is a joy ride! 

However I cannot stress enough how greatfull I am for being able to read the experience by others, their stories and their advise. In addition to this group the following sites are extremely helpful:

http://www.groin-hernia.com/herniabible/index.html

http://falconblanco.com/health/hernia.htm

Hats off to BaiYin for his personal battle in this and all the others who made me hopeful that this is possible.

Here's my contribution back to the community  - hopefully it's not redundant reading:

1. This article alone is huge! This is official stuff from scientists and the medical community.. on how to manage hernia with yoga and live with it. Which sort of confirms the empirical results from all the volunteers who experimented on their bodies and shared their experience.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22346061

I read at yoga sites that some of the asanas recommended here are actually bad for hernia so any feedback from others who have tried them and could share their personal experience will be appreciated..

2. Another recent development is also making waves that are worth paying attention IMHO:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1931869

http://www.vascularweb.org/research/Pages/medical-management-of-abdominal-aortic-aneurysms-will-it-work.aspx

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/119/16/2209.abstract

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/517605

In summary - doxycyclin can help your body rebuild your own connective tissues!!! I know there is no mentioning of hernia but it is the same thing. I haven't tried this one yet as I am trying hard to change my lifestyle and loose more weight beforehand but this is next on my agenda.

Good luck and good health!  

Al