Long story short but I think I might have one. Never any hint before a Peak ride yesterday when suddenly there was pain around the groin area…this became very painful pedalling up the broken road on Mam Tor - to the point where even walking or a cough hurt too. Closer inspection in the shower later revealed a lump/swelling on the right side above the bushy bit ?. Guys I were with diagnosed a hernia based on the description. I’m back home now and wondering whether a trip to the walk in centre is better than trying to speak to someone at the quack surgery tomorrow morning? I believe it’s a minor op to sort it - ideally ASAP so no bike downtime but god knows when it’ll be with the NHS being so fkd up at the mo! Any advice?
believe it’s a minor op to sort it – ideally ASAP so no bike downtime
If you have private health cover yes, if it's strangulated, infected and about to risk peritonitis yes.
If it's just a hernia welcome to months if not years on a waiting list as it's not a life threatening condition. The Tories may be gone but their legacy lives on.
Have had both sides done. Mesh repairs.
First one took about 2-3 months before I would trust big efforts ,I was racing most weeks so missed a big chunk of the season,used the down time to get the rest of my body in better shape.
Second one took about 2 months recovery ,but felt a more solid repair.
Never notice any twinges at all now,even with relatively big efforts/weights.
Both times I told the GP/consultants that I was prepared to travel anywhere (in Scotland) to reduce waiting times, it worked for me and I was operated on less than 5 weeks after diagnosis.
When you have the conversation with your GP/consultant,make it very clear how important cycling is to your lifestyle .
Good luck
fasthaggis - you reckon going to the walk in centre is a good idea or pointless?
Yup,get the process started,book a GP appointment.
This is NOT what as walk in centre is for. This is a GP issue. Do not waste urgent NHS services on non urgent stuff
I’m at the walk in centre - was passing anyway and thought I’d sound the receptionist out - she said it was worth being here so I’m in the system at least
Don’t bother waiting, you’ll need an appointment with your GP so that they can refer you. Walk in doctor is unlikely to be able to do that.
It’s not a minor op, but it is done as a day case. Recovery and rehabilitation takes 6-12 weeks.
I've had two of these. First time out I was in the assessment waiting room and passed out when they took my blood. A bit embarrassing, but the doc said, "well you're in a bed now so shall we just go ahead and operate?" Don't buy the end of the day. Second one I was given the option by my GP of NHS or private treatment within the NHS. Easy choice and it was done in a few weeks. No lasting ill effects aside from a couple of scars.
Thinking out loud can you get some compression pants or something? A bit like those nickers for ladies to give the impression of a flatter stomach?
Confirmed as a hernia but need to call GP to get a referral tomorrow.
Had a mesh repair done a couple of years back. Waiting list was about 18 months.
If it is causing bother I found that KT tape held it in place. Form a cross of tape over it.
There was a guy on YouTube showing how to do it.
I've got one at the moment, mine apparently is not too serious as it only pops out under exertion then pops back in at rest, i'm told that it won't ever get better by itself and will inevitably need surgery at some point but i'm pretty much at the bottom of the list until it either gets worse or significant investment in the NHS wipes out the waiting list.
Can one be painful on sitting up etc but not painful to prod, or see/feel any lump?
I ask as I've had a sharp localised pain in the sort of area the OP described in the right hand side. Hurts when I sit up in bed or the sofa and when I do over head cable triceps extensions at the gym, not when I'm doing other lifting. Maybe just a strain??
Had one two years ago, but I think I actually tore years earlier as I used to get an ache after a day in site boots around the groin area. Anyway, made it worse through pull ups, then woke one evening shortly afterwards with my intestines making a bid for freedom via my scrotum...
Called the GP the following morning, then just shy of 12months before surgery. I could ride fine, but hike a bike was hard.
Keep fit in the run up to surgery, I was back on my feet in days and on the mtb at the 4week stage, having a strong(ish) core I think helped.
I can now wear site boots all day and not feel any pain, so overall I'm chuffed with how it went. Back to full fitness, possibly better as I'm really looking after my core strength now.
Good luck!
I've had a similar diagnosis, only on the left side (Doesn't flare up that often though) Doc told me not to worry to much about it unless its gets stuck and wont go back in, then its a A&E job.
Had a double inguinal hernia repair 16 years ago.
Both sides done with mesh. Surgeon said key-hole was for wusses and so open surgery for me.
Was off the bike for a couple of weeks (because I needed to cycle to get to work) and it was seriously sore for many months after.
I guess once it's done it's done - but the original hernias gave me no problems at all. I only went to the GP about them after my dad suffered a strangulated hernia. I'd had the hernias for so long I assumed it was normal.
I had a hernia when I was a kid, younger than ten years old for sure! Anyway I remember having the op during the summer holidays and I was told I couldn't ride my bike for 8 weeks. Was totally gutted.
Been fine for the last 40 odd years though.
As above get yourself in the queue by popping to the gp.
But get one of these now. You will instantly feel more 'secure' ? but you will want it post op as well.
Double mesh repairs done about 12 years ago.
Was out of action for 4 months as it took weeks to get pain free.
Jumped the wait by making myself available at short notice for cancellations so was done in a 6 weeks, not 6 months .
6 weeks off work, trouble shitting without suppositories. Quite alot of pain management drugs .
Took around a year to be able to really stress the area without twinges . Keyhole surgery for me.
Single inguenal here, was diagnosed and told to come back when I had kids. About 3-4 years before I eventually got it sorted and it was hard going, getting a 1 minute warning that you're about to drop your guts when you're out and about is interesting to say the least.
Was off work about 6 weeks and on light duties for another 2. Still get occasional twinges but it was fairly large so the mesh has a decent job to do.
You can get hernia belts that support the area, might be worth looking into them unless you fancy epillation by K tape.
At least you did yours in a decent way, mine was done coughing!
trouble shitting without suppositories
How long were you on the cocodamol? I ditched it after a few days for that reason, ended up with lactulose to help myself shit.
Recently been to see my Doctor about abdominal pain.
She apologised that she'd need to touch me down below, no problem I said as the last time I'd seen her she'd had a poke around my back passage!
Turns out I have an umbilical which makes it's presence know by literally being a right ball ache when I move!
Six months wait to see a Consultant. Thanks for the tip on being flexible about where you can get surgery.
Confirmed hernia but not a priority. Referral could be around 20 weeks! Still allowed to ride but take it easier based on pain levels. I can’t not ride for 20 weeks - that doesn’t even allow for post op recovery time ?. Easier MTB rides or even roadie exclusive for the foreseeable…
That's fine, as long as you're not straining it (and you'll know if you are) you'll be okay. I rode on mine, it was effort like lifting stuff (or probably smashing climbs) that did me in.
Weirdly i was diagnosed with one yesterday got to have a scan to confirm as mine has popped out around a testicle.
I went as I thought testicle was swollen and I have had cancer so was concerned!
Doc actually listened with a stethoscope and could hear my bowel working!
Anyone else had one in the scrotum?
I really don't want to leave it like this for months.....
Had two but the first one was 2009. Took 6 months from GP to being on the table. This was done at Blackburn
Unbilical hernia but they didn’t put mesh in and was done as day case. Got fed up and walked out two hours after Surgery as they expected me to eat some dry toast practically on my back with no help getting up the bed. Got the cannula taken out and walked out.
Took 8 weeks till I was back at work (worked in a pub) and doing my Nurse training at Uni.
Around 6 months later after going down a water slide in Rhodes I felt a sharp pain in stomach again and the lump was back.
Went to GP again and was confirmed it was a bigger hernia in the same place.
8 weeks later larger incision and Full mesh repair with a drain inserted and three days in hospital at Bolton it was fixed. Took 12 weeks to recover this time.
14 years later it’s still going strong and the 3.5 inch scar is slowly fading. But looks weird on holiday, tan and a big white line across my stomach.
A spin around the street tonight reveals no obvious pulls, twinges or pain so I’m going to try the usual Weds night ride tomorrow, albeit I’ll avoid anything tasty that requires trying to get the front wheel in the air etc. It might all go to shit on the first climb or descent but I need to know what I can or can’t do comfortably. I’ll bail at the first sign of anything untoward. Doc was ok with me biking if sensible…I’ll know this time tomorrow whether it was a good idea or not. If MTB is too ‘engaging’, I’d rather have roadie rides as a backup than nothing at all.
2 miles into last night’s ride and I was done. The realisation that I can’t MTB for possibly 9 months hit me quite hard. I’m not really sure roadie riding will be an option either based on the strains even on a relatively flat section last night. Bollocks.
It must be hernia season! I had a phone call with the hospital yesterday with regards to mine, the wait for me to see the consultant is 76 weeks, that's not for surgery to fix it, just to have an initial appointment with the consultant!
Useful info here. I was born with one, had an op when I was a newborn. Uncontrollable coughing with Covid and now some other bug I've had recently has taken its toll. Will need to see the doc I think.
xcgb, sometimes an inguinal hernia can spread down to the scrotum, mine did, the original tear was near the pubic bone but as I kind of forgot about/ left it longer than I should, it ended up being a much bigger deal than it should have.
Thanks Catfood
I am having an ultrasound at the weekend so will see what that comes up with.
If waiting list is long I may see about paying for it myself
Depends on where in the country you are, I'm in South Wales and there was a thirty two week guarantee from initial surgical consultation to operation, which if I remember correctly was only a couple of weeks after first diagnosis by my GP.
Thread resurrection!
A paltry 21 painful-at-times roadie yesterday - bearable though. Hoping KT tape (or other brands) or hernia belt will help. Anyone actually had good results that def help make biking less painful/more doable and what works/doesn’t? Ta
Hernia belt works for me, it's the difference between doing stuff (including hike a bike) and feeling really insecure when I don't have it on. The belts are not the most comfy on a bike and I don't feel the need when road biking, but I find it ok on the MTB.
I knee jerked and panic bought a comfort-truss from the states, it appeared to be better than the Amazon ones but it is loads more expensive. Also the guy who runs it has a bunch of core exercises which don't seem to exacerbate the hernia. Whether you buy into the rest of his speil is up to you. Suffice to say, I'm waiting on an op.
This is an interesting vid on hernias from Jeff Cavaliere - gym rather than cycling, but I was shocked to see a guy as fit as him lift around a hernia. You might be able to do a lot once you have the measure of it:
Saying that, he was clearly strong AF before he got the hernia (his second), which must help. Core strength is obv a very good idea here but you'd need to be pretty cautious building it up.
Bit of an update - OP here. I’m having my hernia op tomorrow in a local surgery that has an operating theatre. Local anaesthetic and should be done in around an hour. Roughly 9 weeks from it happening and through the NHS. Will be off work for a few weeks and no biking for 6 weeks minimum assuming all goes to plan. I’ve been biking during this period with the aid of a truss I bought online which helps massively. A few short road bimbles getting up to 60 miles, plus I did the Peak Jacob’s Ladder route last Sat on the proper bike which was ace! Long period of sheer boredom starts here…trying not to eat and drink and piss away the fitness I’ve built up. Not really thought about the op itself much…til now ?…
It took me a lot longer to get back on the bike than I was told.
Don't rush back, you will soon get fit again when you are back to 100%
How is the recovery going Rascal? I had the open op with mesh on the right side yesterday. Wow it smarts, but trying to avoid too much codeine if I can, as don't fancy the side effects.
Been given the standard 2 weeks to be up and about, 6 weeks before attempting anything more strenuous advice. Might take me a while I reckon as I ended up stopping biking while on the wait list as it felt so insecure. So my core strength is probably reduced and will need building up slowly.
Jamze...it's okay thanks.
My op was Sept 18th. Went for the mesh insert under local as it could be done quickly and not having to wait months if it was under general. Out within the hour. A lot of pain for the first week or so and off meds soon after. Back in work (Mac monkey) 2 weeks later. Bored shitless waiting out the 8 weeks I was told to stay off the bike (I was a bit naughty at 7.5 weeks!). Ate and drunk with no exercise for that time other than short boring walks, so first ride back was a shocker - an ambitious 38 mile roadie and I was on my arse after 20 slow miles! First short, local MTB ride was very tentative as I didn't want to strain my abdomen too much. Wet roots etc jar your upper body so a static position road ride makes more sense for a while. My fitness is slowly coming back though I don't seem to have any leg strength. Getting to the point where I'm riding the stuff I used to ride without worrying about stressing too much. Still get an occasion reminder that something happened there but not pain as such.
Just take it easy and don't be tempted to rush things. DO NOT lift anything heavier than a half full kettle - advice I ignored early on whilst 'manfully' lifting 2 bags of shopping. You'll get reminders that any stretching and even putting shoes on hurts for a while.
Good luck - you will get back into biking and fighting fit again come mid-Spring!
Good to hear, thanks. I'm keen for this to be a decent repair, so will follow the rules. Lots of time to get back into the biking. A friend has just had his 5th repair attempt and is still struggling with it.
Maybe done a bit too much today, felt surprisingly ok so been up and about. Starting to ache now.You're right, even a pan of water seems too much, or pushing yourself up from a chair, putting on shoes, simple stuff is a struggle at the mo.
Maybe a new more road-focused bike is needed to help with my rehab...
Didn't realise having local was an option. They said I could have a spinal or general, so general for me. Was reasonably quick, saw the surgeon 2nd Oct and had the op yesterday, so 12 and a bit weeks. It was a private hospital too, so guess the NHS are using private to try and get the lists down.
Hernia NBD 🙂 Got 6 weeks or so to build it now. The first week was pretty bad, but starting to feel much better.
.
I've been diagnosed with an indirect inguinal hernia (my second, opposite side from the first) in November. Been told live with it until it gets larger, until then there's no funding for repair. When sneezing, coughing and blowing my nose I can feel it popping in and out, and its always a bit swollen.
I have a hernia as well - I'm bracing myself for being told to "live with it" as there's no funding/I'm not severe enough, which is shit, frankly. Especially when my two year old kicks me in it as I pick him up.
I can feel it popping in and out,
I hated that. Sort of an elastic pop. Hopefully, there's a bit more standardisation across NHS trusts on this. Ours seem quite organised, it's like a conveyor belt of hernia ops in Banbury speaking to the staff there.
Watching with interest - have a doctors appointment on Wednesday.
Well I finished putting the rehab bike together today 🙂
In my 4th week after the op, up and about but it's going to take a while before I trust doing anything strenuous I reckon. Now have a new bike to motivate me to get out and explore the lanes in the Spring.
