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I have had stomach issues for most of my life, attributed to IBS. This past April, I was diagnosed with pericardio effusion (fluid around the heart). I was treated with anti-inflamatories and was fine. When I was going into the hospital for a spinal cord stimulator for back pain (I also suffer from Fibromyalgia), I was told the swelling was back when a routine chest X-ray was done. A CT scan revealed a herniated gastric lumen. My gastro doctor followed up with an upper GI and then an endoscopy, and it was found that I had a diaphragmatic hernia, probably congenital. About 2/3 of my stomach had protruded through the hole and was rubbing against my heart, which was very likely the cause of the pericardio effusion. My back surgery was postponed, and I was scheduled for the following Monday for a hernia repair. They used the largest medical patch possible and 30 to 40 titanium staples that will remain inside permanently, several can be felt from the outside as they are against the inside of my rib cage. I was told there was very little space to work with as they could not "sew or attach" to the heart and had to kind of make it up as they went along. I was lucky they were able to do this laparoscopicly. I am now six weeks post-op and still feel as if I have been beaten by a pack of thugs! Since surgery I can't lift or move my right arm, a problem I never had to this severity. The pain, even though I am on a 100 mcg/hr fentanyl patch is at least an 8 at all times in my shoulder and I am having to take Vicodin for breakthrough pain in my abdomen about three to four times a day. I was told it was life threatening if I didn't have the hernia fixed. I feel worse than I was before and wonder if they have left me in worse condition and with a shorter life span as a result!

I have had a hiatal hernia for about 30 years now and its symptoms were always relieved by prescription medications until recently. Then I switched medications several times and still had discomfort. I have a very strange symptom, pain starts in the left chest side and underarm area and then goes down my arm and can also be felt in my back. This pain is quite sharp and will cause you to double over. The way I get it to go away is to raise my left arm and get rid of a lot of gas that seems to have filled my stomach.

I recently submitted a question regarding Marfan Syndrome. I clicked on Hernia because I have had multiple hernias, 3 different types in all. The 1st were Para Lumbar hernias located on the backside of my hip. They were causing a lot of pain in the SI joint area. I was fortunate in that I found a surgeon who not only repaired the hernias, but also plugged the hole in the fascia allowing the hernias to develop. The next was a very large double inguinal hernia that ripped thru the muscle that was cut thru during anterior lumbar fusion. The 3rd was a ventral hernia repair that involved the intestine. The biggest problem these hernias in the abdomen caused was constant muscle spasms throughout my abdomen and into my ribs. By the time I found a Doctor willing to listen to me, I had lost my ability to carry anymore children due to the "mushy" condition of the muscles. The doctor advised that I wouldn't be able to support the baby past about 5 mos. The repairs have helped, but I have continued a care plan of nerve blocks to multiple sites, to help control the continuing spasms. I have also been told I will most likely require more hernia surgery in the future.

My hiatal hernia gives me pain after I have eaten just a little more than I usually eat; like a small desert. A pain occurs from arm near arm pit, and travels up to my shoulder and toward the neck & it last a long time. This happens when I haven't taken an anti-acid pill before or after eating. The pain forces me to vomit all night and I don't sleep at all that night. Now I take one over the counter capsule right after I eat my dinner. I have had one cat scan? About a year ago & was told this is a large hernia and that fat is going into the hernia that shouldn't be there. I have to go through the same test next week because doctor wants to see how much larger it has become.

I currently have an incisional hernia. I literally woke up one morning with a "numb" patch in my lower left part of the abdomen. Unless I was straining with a BM, coughing or lifting, I honestly didn't feel any pain. It only shows up when I stand and cough. I've had it for almost 7 months now, and am still waiting for surgery. Because I suffer from Fibro, I have to be a bit more careful about surgery, but regardless, I'd sure like to get the repair done. I'm still a young(ish) woman (only 40) and still have children at home. Thanks to the Fibro, my activities are already limited. The last thing I needed was this stupid hernia!