Inguinal Hernia: Did you or doctor find it?

I've had 3 hernia surgeries, one a for repair of the first surgery. The doctor found my first at age 14. After that I was aware of the condition and noticed swellings and discomfort myself.

If you've had hernias Who Found The Hernia? You or the doctor?

Brat

Neither - found by the radiologist reading a CT scan

I had a CT scan for a suspected kidney stone some years ago. Besides confirming a kidney stone, the scan also revealed a hiatal hernia and an inguinal hernia. My then primary doctor said it happens quite often - if they are asymptomatic, they are routinely found while looking for something else. I never had an actual hernia check by a doctor since I was in my teens.

I found my hernia by myself. I lived with an inguinal hernia for 12 years! Here's how it happened. I was digging a hole in the yard to plant a sapling tree and dug into an underground rock. I was pulling real hard on the end of a shovel to pry it out when I felt a "sting" in my left lower abdomen. I actually thought a bee stung me and I rubbed it and the slight pain subsided. A few days later I was getting into the shower and I noticed a bump about the size of an egg in that same spot. I knew then, I had gotten a hernia. It really didn't hurt so I did nothing about it. Eventually, over the years, it was getting worse in size and really starting to bulge. I could lay on my bed and massage it back into place and all looked normal. (I had to do this every time I had sex so it wouldn't be a distraction to my wife!) As it got worse over the years, I could feel my intestines starting to fall into my bag. (Sorry for the graphic description). Friends told me I should get it repaired soon or my intestines could twist and cause a strangulation which is a real medical emergency! Finally I saw a surgeon and had it repaired. I asked the surgeon if he was able to do the arthroscopic, through the belly button repair and he chuckled a bit and said, "maybe 12 years ago, now your in for the full surgery and mesh procedure". I really felt great after it healed from the surgery and I realized I should have not waited 12 years to get it fixed...

I too had an inguinal hernia for a number of years which caused a swelling in the groin and scrotum. Only after the discomfort was gradually getting worse and obviously putting some pressure on my left testicle, did i go to the doctors. She couldn't believe i hadn't done something about it sooner and made an appointment for me to see a surgeon. He said it needed sorting as soon as possible because just like Tom said, the high risk of strangulation. I too wished i had got it sorted sooner!

I had a hernia surgery at age 12. Doc found it during a routine exam so I could go on a language exchange program. Exam was a prerequisite.

I had navel hernia (prominent outie navel), that the paediatrician diagnosed during the first exam when I was 11. He controlled and examined it at nearly every visit, also other doctors noticed and examined at then. It got fixed during my big abdominal surgery (diagnostic laparotomy) when I was 16. Since then, my navel is not as prominent outie as before, but still a gnarly outie. During military exams later doctors said i would still have navel hernia (again?).

Hello reddevil,

My husband found his hernia. Later we found out it was not a hernia! It was a severe twist of his spine.

My husband in 2017 was thought to have an Inguinal Hernia. He had pain in his groin and neuro stinging pain also. This went along for three years. It got so bad that it hurt him 24/7 for three years. He finally requested a specialist doctor that had knowledge of Inguinal area problems. This doctor did something the other doctors did not do. He examined my husband while standing up. A person laying down could not be diagnosed with the lump he had in the inguinal area. He had to be standing up. This indicated L1-L2-L3-L4-S-1 and S-2 severe spinal curving. The same pain as an Inguinal hernia but caused by curving of the spine. Note, this can only be diagnosed standing up and having MRI Evaluation. Might not be a bad idea to check your spine.

This is only a suggestion, normally inguinal hernia is not that dangerous. However if you should experience weakness in your leg or problems with your bowels I would suggest you talk with your doctor again.

My husbands spine from L-1 to S-2 was totally straightened and fixed. He had his stitches removed two days ago. The lump in his right inguinal area was removed. That lump was solid bone that was twisted and thought to be an inguinal hernia.

They say this is a very odd type of problem, however it was worth finding a doctor that would listen to us.

I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I'm sharing my experience, strength and hope with you. I had two doctors tell us there is nothing wrong. All they had to do is say "I don't Know" but I'll sure try to find a doctor that might be able to help you!

Like I said, this is only a suggestion. Perhaps it might help you? My husband went through hell at age 71.

At any rate, may God bless You and I hope you will feel better soon.

Gwen

Hello reddevil,

I read your information and it sure lit a fire in my head. So many similar things. I've learned to question doctors. Tact and kindness will get an ordinary person to where they need to be.

I sure hope you are going to be okay! Have a wonderful New Year! It's going to be about two more months before my husband will or hopefully will begin to feel better. From what I'm told, damaged nerves take a long time to heal. Right now he does a "Pin Check" every other day. He sticks a clean pin in his legs from ankle to hip. Right now, he can't feel anything but it should get better. He is walking good and his right shoulder is where it should be now. He's eating good also. He did say, everything tastes the same but he knows he has to eat. Before all this he was 185 pounds of pure muscle. He could do 25 pull ups and keep time with men that were 40 years younger than him. Then one morning he had what he called an "Electric Shock" in his spine. Then the diagnosis of Global Autonomic Neuropathy Dysfunction. Then three years of hell!

So, we shall see! All the nerves are in their right spots. His spine is straight and the nerves have the room to function. He full of Hard Ware but that was necessary. If possible it will be so nice to make love with my husband again. It will be Great to be able to have our intimate enema fun and make love in my exam table again. I know that's asking quite a bit but for what he has gone through it's worth asking for.

You have a great day and Many Blessings To You!

Gwen

My doctor found mine. During my first physical with a new doctor, as soon as I pulled my pants down he immediately started pressing around in the area above my genitals asking questions about pain and other issues. At the time it wasn't bothering me any and I just assumed he was a very thorough doctor. At my next annual physical he did the same thing. I answered that I occasionally have some pain in that area but nothing too terrible. During the hernia exam he had me cough 3 or 4 separate times on the one side. After coughing once for ther other side he remained seated on his stool, staring at my genitals, telling me about the hernia. He eventually stood up and continued talking about hernias while I stood there with my pants around my thighs not knowing what I was supposed to do. I only heard half of what he was saying because I kept thinking how weird it was to be standing there having a conversation with my pants pulled down and my penis on full display. Of course he got my full attention as soon as he said he needed to check my prostate next. At least I got to pull my pants up after that...

They found it when I was five, they treated it at the time with a hernia truss, it worked for many years. I grew out of the truss and continued and was able to reduce it. It was now descending into my scrotum but reducible, so I continued on for a few more years and finally I had it repaired,to this day I still have pain in that area, I bought a truss again for working, But to this day I wish I would have left it alone.

I found it during my self exams.

I found mine when I felt a lump in the left groin area. I could push it back in and sometimes it would stay in for days. Finally went to the gp when it wouldn't stay in and eventually had surgery.

Every doctor that checked me for hernias missed the weakness in my abdominal wall. I got mine lifting something out of the hatchback of my car when I was 18. Based on my experience I wouldn’t bother with getting checked for a hernia. It is such a qualitative test that the test itself is unreliable.

I found out earlier this month that I have one on my right side (it showed up on a non-contrast CAT scan). My doctor says it's no big deal, but I'm not totally believing him.

Every doctor that checked me for hernias missed the weakness in my abdominal wall. I got mine lifting something out of the hatchback of my car when I was 18. Based on my experience I wouldn’t bother with getting checked for a hernia. It is such a qualitative test that the test itself is unreliable.

When I first saw a new urologist he did a hernia check and said I should be very careful lifting - that he felt a weakness and I might want to see a surgeon. The next year he did the same check and said everything is fine - looks good! I think I would know if I had a hernia.

@Rigel Honestly you would. It looked like I had 3 balls.

I had 2 inguinal hernias 1 on each side and the pain was much worse the first time but I could feel intestine coming through. Once the fix the first side all the pressure goes onto the other side when you lift. I advise not getting it done laporoscopically and do not get mesh unless absolutely necessary. I have had persistent nerve pain from entrapment in the mesh for almost 8 years

I noticed one about 2½ years ago. Went to the doctor for routine physical in summer of 2020 and mentioned it. Said he didn't notice anything. Thought no more of it.

Said something to same doc in summer of 2021 and said he still didn't detect anything. But he set up an ultrasound appointment just in case.

Sure enough, ultrasound tech found an inguinal hernia on both sides. Had surgery in January to repair both. It was a hellish two week recovery. Felt like my insides were on fire. Tremendous swelling and bruising. Finally went down and just left me with two scars right above my penis.

The pain still flares up from time to time, particularly if I stand up quickly or roll over to my other side in the middle of the night. But I've learned to live with it.

My doctor found mine.

I was doing leg presses at the gym and felt something pop on my right side. I eventually noticed a slight bulge there. Months later at a yearly physical, as the doctor was getting ready to do the hernia check, I mentioned the bulge to him. He did the exam and confirmed that it was a hernia. He then told me I had one on the left side also that I was unaware of. This ultimately led to bilateral surgery for both hernias.

My first hernia popped out while straining to poop.

opps I thought, that’s not right…….as i looked down and saw the lump.

Funny thing….next day after the surgery, I get up for my morning tinkle…and look down to see…..my equipment is BLACK 🤔

After worrying for an hour, waiting for the surgeons office to take calls, I was assured that it was normal and would return to normal by weeks end. Not funny…they should have warned me 😳

Funny thing….next day after the surgery, I get up for my morning tinkle…and look down to see…..my equipment is BLACK 🤔

After worrying for an hour, waiting for the surgeons office to take calls, I was assured that it was normal and would return to normal by weeks end. Not funny…they should have warned me 😳

Haha! I forgot about that, mine did the same thing after my surgery. I wasn't worried when I saw mine, just assumed it was from the surgery, but it did give me quite the start when I first noticed it. My pecker, scrotum, and groin was bruised for almost 3 weeks before it faded away.

Mine occurred little over a year ago now and had it fixed last year . I did mine working at my daughters house grabbed a stack of pallets by the bottom to move them yanked hard and felt a pull in my lower abdomen

Next day I was talking out her window AC as soon as it clears the sill ouch !! Lol went home felt the lump massaged it back and went to Dr next day He sent me to the surgeon the next day that was in October and presto schedule for surgery January 5th 2021 🤷🏼‍♂️

Read somewhere that most are self detected. Guys go in to complain about a groin pain, and voila, the doc diagnoses a hernia. I think I’d know if I had one.

@Rigel Guys go in to complain about a groin pain, and voila, the doc diagnoses a hernia.

Yup - way it was for me; however, I complained about pain being on one side and doc said the hernia was on the other side. He was right and it eventually began to show there.

I “discovered” mine one morning after a bad cold (coughing was the main symptom - really hard coughing) when I got out of bed and noticed a little bulge near my groin. This was in May of this year. As the weeks went on it seemed to get worse and worse. I “googled” (I know, I know…..) and read the symptoms for an inguinal hernia and knew then what I had. What confirmed it for me was everything I read said the bulge would disappear when you like down; that's exactly what happened to me. And, if I walked around too long, it would burn like fire. Anyway, made it to a bariatric surgeon in late August after settling in NYC and all he said when I dropped my briefs wash “oh yeah, we got a hernia!” Of course he did the full exam and noted that it was very large and likely had intestines involved. Long story short, had laparoscopic surgery a few days later and have been good as new ever since. And yes, the bruising I had after the surgery as EPIC and the swelling in my scrotum made it that I could not shower without holding my sack. And I. wore a scrotal support belt for about 10 days which was great. ! Took about 3 weeks to fully clear the bruising and swelling.

I had one, at about age 45. There was no doubt about it, and the doctor confirmed what I already knew. The only question was when to have it repaired, and I delayed for probably 10 months or so, which was too long.

Read somewhere that most are self detected. Guys go in to complain about a groin pain, and voila, the doc diagnoses a hernia. I think I’d know if I had one.

You'll definitely know it.

When mine was diagnosed, I was sent to get an ultrasound. The ultrasound confirmed the one I knew about and also detected a smaller on on the other side.

I noticed mine, as a slowly worsening protrusion in my suprapubic region, right side. Mine was easily reducible but recurring, and was not visible while laying down.

I scheduled an appointment with my GP, but she was booked so they found me time with one of her PA's instead for the next day. I show up and the medical assistant leads me back to the exam room after a short wait. She takes my vitals and briefly discusses reason for visit, duration of issue, etc. She walks over to the supply closet, grabs a gown, instructs me to remove my pants and underwear, put on the gown open in front, and wait on the exam table for the PA. At this point I'm quite nervous and embarrassed and I don't know why, hernias are among the most commonly diagnosed disorders. Eventually the PA knocks and asks to come in, and I'm pleasantly surprised its a young, mid-thirties, short and fit brunette woman. She introduces herself, we discuss symptoms, and she then explains that a physical exam is required. She asks if I would prefer a chaperone and I reply “No, it doesn't matter to me.” at which point she shrugs and starts washing her hands and getting gloves on. She lays me back on the exam table, asks me to point to where the hernia is, which I do. She begins feeling around, both at the location of the protrusion and up through my scrotum to feel the inguinal canal. Eventually she indicates that she can't seem to find anything. I tell her again that it reduces when I lay down and is visible when I stand. So she has me stand up and sits in front of me on her stool while i hold my gown behind me. She repeats the exam and this time when i cough, you can clearly see the protrusion through my pelvic wall. She spends some time in front of me with her left hand on my right hip/butt and her right hand pushed deep into my inguinal canal while I cough. After a few minutes of this, she scoots back and confirms the hernia but can't tell if it's direct or indirect and works up a referral for an ultrasound and another referral for general surgery consult.

Happy to write about those if there is interest!