Hernia...

[aed13]

Hi guys.

I think I've got the kind of hernia where your small intestines fall to a place where I'd really prefer not to have them..... in addition to being kind of embarassing, this is really painful.

Here's the thing, though. I'm 20. I live a pretty active lifestyle, and I plan to go into the Army after college. I run, bike, climb, surf, and lift with the best of 'em. What does this mean for my future? Will I be able to do all these things again, and how soon? Or, ever?

To be honest, I'm really scared. I've never had surgery. I can't take off much more time from work (essentially, I walk 20 hrs/wk). It's really hard to get to class. Stairs are agony. I can't lift (well, I'm not about to try... I think dead lifts brought this on), I can't run. It's difficult to study when this pain is always on my mind. Someone, please, tell me it'll get better.

Alex

[Bill2380]

I had an umbilical hernia repaired about a year ago, that's the belly button kind. I took 5 weeks rest and started back to lifting slowly. I'm good as now now. Get it fixed dumbass.

[Lost Dog]

1 in 4 men have some sort of hernia in their lives. It won't just get better, I'm afraid. You'll have to take care of it via the Doctor.

Most hernias are a one-shot affair, only a 5-10% recurrance rate. But, your doctor can tell you the kind you have and how to work to NOT get another one, too.

[finboy]

And depending on the type of hernia you have, there are new surgical techniques that reduce the down-time to days, rather than weeks. You didn't mention in your post...have you seen a doctor yet? If not, go right away. The sooner you take care of this, the sooner you'll get back to your regular lifestyle.

Good luck
-fin

[aed13]

Actually, I saw a doctor yesterday. She (yeah..) sent me to the ER for an ultrasound, because it's apparantly not a hernia. 7 hours later they said they didn't know, but were treating it like epididymitis. I really don't know if that's better or worse. Doesn't sound better.

Thanks for the well wishes, though.