piaffeqc
07-13-2006, 09:09 AM
I'm going to see a surgeon on monday to confirm my gp's diagnosis of a femoral hernia.
I've had pains in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen for a while now but I first thought they were related to my mensrual cycle and I had assumed it was my ovary... The pain is located on the leg crease, i'd say right above the pubic hair line and at times, I feel the pain going down my leg.
I don,t have any lumps showing. The pain comes and goes and I sometimes feel like a building of pressure after which I feel gas going through and the pain goes away.
Recently the pain intensified during intercourse and it was very tender in that area for a few days.
I'm just a bit puzzled by what i've read so far on femoral hernias.
Do these symptoms make sense with a diagnosis of a femoral hernia?
Thanks for any/all input you might have.
I've had pains in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen for a while now but I first thought they were related to my mensrual cycle and I had assumed it was my ovary... The pain is located on the leg crease, i'd say right above the pubic hair line and at times, I feel the pain going down my leg.
I don,t have any lumps showing. The pain comes and goes and I sometimes feel like a building of pressure after which I feel gas going through and the pain goes away.
Recently the pain intensified during intercourse and it was very tender in that area for a few days.
I'm just a bit puzzled by what i've read so far on femoral hernias.
Do these symptoms make sense with a diagnosis of a femoral hernia?
Thanks for any/all input you might have.
Sponsor
HH3
07-13-2006, 01:06 PM
From what I understand, femoral hernias tend to go inward, not outward, but a thorough exam by an excellent surgeon and a diagnostic test such as a CAT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with and without contrast should tell the tale.
I have a male friend who had a femoral hernia. Doctors couldn't Dx it properly. My general surgeon who fixed my incisional/ventral hernia is the same surgeon that my friend referred me to.
If you have any ovarian cysts, the CAT scan will pick this up also. My CAT scan also revealed a cyst on my kidney, which is supposedly a "simple" one, but I am working with my family doctor to see if it can get rechecked before my spouse's insurance coverage runs out early next week.
Good luck!
I have a male friend who had a femoral hernia. Doctors couldn't Dx it properly. My general surgeon who fixed my incisional/ventral hernia is the same surgeon that my friend referred me to.
If you have any ovarian cysts, the CAT scan will pick this up also. My CAT scan also revealed a cyst on my kidney, which is supposedly a "simple" one, but I am working with my family doctor to see if it can get rechecked before my spouse's insurance coverage runs out early next week.
Good luck!
piaffeqc
07-13-2006, 03:42 PM
Thanks for the input HH3! I didn't know they could do a CAT scan to diagnose it.
It annoys me not knowing. I just hope the surgeon I'll meet on Monday isn't one of those that'll tell me what I DON'T have and send me home wondering.:confused: I've had a few too many of those lately.
It annoys me not knowing. I just hope the surgeon I'll meet on Monday isn't one of those that'll tell me what I DON'T have and send me home wondering.:confused: I've had a few too many of those lately.
HH3
07-14-2006, 09:43 AM
Thanks for the input HH3! I didn't know they could do a CAT scan to diagnose it.
It annoys me not knowing. I just hope the surgeon I'll meet on Monday isn't one of those that'll tell me what I DON'T have and send me home wondering.:confused: I've had a few too many of those lately.
Piaffeqc,
I'm glad I could help. Don't feel bad; you're not the only one who has been misdiagnosed (?) for health problems. I've been m/d'd numerous times, and I'm getting fed up with it. However, I know my own body, and I just keep pressing on until I get to the right person. My spouse calls me a hypochondriac, but he's not the one with all of these ailments. Most of my ailments have required some sort of [surgical] intervention.
Good luck!
P.S. I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but if the doc orders a cat scan of the abdomen AND pelvis, those are considered two separate cat scans (personal experience...:eek: )
It annoys me not knowing. I just hope the surgeon I'll meet on Monday isn't one of those that'll tell me what I DON'T have and send me home wondering.:confused: I've had a few too many of those lately.
Piaffeqc,
I'm glad I could help. Don't feel bad; you're not the only one who has been misdiagnosed (?) for health problems. I've been m/d'd numerous times, and I'm getting fed up with it. However, I know my own body, and I just keep pressing on until I get to the right person. My spouse calls me a hypochondriac, but he's not the one with all of these ailments. Most of my ailments have required some sort of [surgical] intervention.
Good luck!
P.S. I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but if the doc orders a cat scan of the abdomen AND pelvis, those are considered two separate cat scans (personal experience...:eek: )
piaffeqc
07-14-2006, 02:56 PM
I'm in Canada so health coverage isn't too much of an issue - but thanks for the heads up!
I was just really worried that it was a problem with my ovary (still am). I went to see my gyn. at the beginning of June but when I called him at the beginning of this week (following my GP's recommandations), he basically said he didn't need to see me that he was sure everything was fine since he didn't detect anything abnormal during my check up. At least he sounded confident but it annoys me he wouldn't due an exam to specifically check for a cyst.:rolleyes:
I'd rather have a hernia than an ovarian cyst... I guess what I'm saying is that I'm really going to be stressed out/discouraged if I come out of the appointment on Monday with no clue as to what it could be.
Again - thanks so much for your support.
I was just really worried that it was a problem with my ovary (still am). I went to see my gyn. at the beginning of June but when I called him at the beginning of this week (following my GP's recommandations), he basically said he didn't need to see me that he was sure everything was fine since he didn't detect anything abnormal during my check up. At least he sounded confident but it annoys me he wouldn't due an exam to specifically check for a cyst.:rolleyes:
I'd rather have a hernia than an ovarian cyst... I guess what I'm saying is that I'm really going to be stressed out/discouraged if I come out of the appointment on Monday with no clue as to what it could be.
Again - thanks so much for your support.
HH3
07-14-2006, 03:13 PM
We ought to get together to compare stories! LOL
Since I'm well versed on the hernia AND ovarian cyst front, I can tell you that these doctors can't always properly diagnose an ovarian cyst just from performing a pelvic exam. I WENT to a new OB/GYN and told HIM that I had a dermoid cyst! He didn't believe me! He didn't SAY that he didn't believe me, but he kept throwing different things out there which relates to the functional cysts that we women get each month. I even had a colored photograph that I took the liberty of making a copy of and gave it to him for HIS copy! LOL
He said later on in the game that he felt a pressure on my ovary when he examined me, but, until he saw the CAT scan results (and the ultrasound copy to go along with it), he wrote in a letter to my general surgeon "I think she has a physiologic cyst (functional). So, this is definitely proof that one has to be super diligent about their health.
If my OB had not ordered the ultrasound and was going to give the impression that he thought I didn't have a problem, I would've taken my business elsewhere. However, he said that he was going to obtain a copy of my CAT scan and DID order the ultrasound to get a better impression of this, so he did the right thing...
Good luck! If you're not reassured by your present OB/GYN's words of advice, then I would seek a 2nd opinion. I had to have a transvaginal ultrasound done because the regular abdominal ultrasound wasn't showing my ovary or my cyst. The transvaginal ultrasound finally spotted the cyst. I was not told anything about the components, etc. during the actual procedure. Mine was not 8 cm either but still had to be removed. It contained sebaceous material, hair, sebum, etc. but did not have bones or teeth in it...:eek:
Since I'm well versed on the hernia AND ovarian cyst front, I can tell you that these doctors can't always properly diagnose an ovarian cyst just from performing a pelvic exam. I WENT to a new OB/GYN and told HIM that I had a dermoid cyst! He didn't believe me! He didn't SAY that he didn't believe me, but he kept throwing different things out there which relates to the functional cysts that we women get each month. I even had a colored photograph that I took the liberty of making a copy of and gave it to him for HIS copy! LOL
He said later on in the game that he felt a pressure on my ovary when he examined me, but, until he saw the CAT scan results (and the ultrasound copy to go along with it), he wrote in a letter to my general surgeon "I think she has a physiologic cyst (functional). So, this is definitely proof that one has to be super diligent about their health.
If my OB had not ordered the ultrasound and was going to give the impression that he thought I didn't have a problem, I would've taken my business elsewhere. However, he said that he was going to obtain a copy of my CAT scan and DID order the ultrasound to get a better impression of this, so he did the right thing...
Good luck! If you're not reassured by your present OB/GYN's words of advice, then I would seek a 2nd opinion. I had to have a transvaginal ultrasound done because the regular abdominal ultrasound wasn't showing my ovary or my cyst. The transvaginal ultrasound finally spotted the cyst. I was not told anything about the components, etc. during the actual procedure. Mine was not 8 cm either but still had to be removed. It contained sebaceous material, hair, sebum, etc. but did not have bones or teeth in it...:eek:
piaffeqc
07-14-2006, 03:40 PM
argh... I was sort of relieved my gyn seemed so confident but until they confirm something else, I can't be 100% sure he's right. My GP did say "oh it's that low huh?" when I pointed to where it hurts and the pain does go down my leg at times, it gets worse when I sit for long periods (like right now!) plus the whole "bubble" feeling I get doesn't rhyme with a cyst (see me trying to convince myself here?!)... But being 26 and looking to have kids in the next couple of years, a cyst is scary.
But trust me, if the surgeon doesn't confirm the hernia theory on Monday, I'll be right back at my GP's office demanding either a 2nd gyn opinion or some sort of ultra-sound or scan.:p
thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me, feels good to get my thoughts out. :wave:
But trust me, if the surgeon doesn't confirm the hernia theory on Monday, I'll be right back at my GP's office demanding either a 2nd gyn opinion or some sort of ultra-sound or scan.:p
thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me, feels good to get my thoughts out. :wave:
HH3
07-15-2006, 10:54 PM
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me, feels good to get my thoughts out. :wave:
Glad I can help. Believe me, I've been there, done that, and bought all the tee shirts. LOL
I'm "seasoned." LOL
Honestly, I don't think that anyone can, at 100% efficiency, confirm any type of hernia or cyst w/out some sort of diagnostic testing. I think the insurance companies want that proof, as well.
I bet the OB thought to himself, "This chick KNOWS what she's talking about!" However, he'd never admit that to me (they won't, you know).
I have to be super aggressive and diligent on all fronts when it comes to my healthcare. The hernia surgery was hard on me, I will tell you that. I even had it performed laparoscopically and had mesh reinforcement. I don't think that you can sneak such a thing past your body and not expect your body to know it! LOL Things did get better, and I did get back on my feet, but it was harder on me than the c sections or the ovarian cystectomy.
Good luck!
Hoosier
Glad I can help. Believe me, I've been there, done that, and bought all the tee shirts. LOL
I'm "seasoned." LOL
Honestly, I don't think that anyone can, at 100% efficiency, confirm any type of hernia or cyst w/out some sort of diagnostic testing. I think the insurance companies want that proof, as well.
I bet the OB thought to himself, "This chick KNOWS what she's talking about!" However, he'd never admit that to me (they won't, you know).
I have to be super aggressive and diligent on all fronts when it comes to my healthcare. The hernia surgery was hard on me, I will tell you that. I even had it performed laparoscopically and had mesh reinforcement. I don't think that you can sneak such a thing past your body and not expect your body to know it! LOL Things did get better, and I did get back on my feet, but it was harder on me than the c sections or the ovarian cystectomy.
Good luck!
Hoosier