worried about incisional hernia and bowel sounds in chest

[peridito]

Worried because I didn't mention the gurgling and related sounds and slight sensations from the area of the lump when I saw GP .

I've been referred for a scan but I keep thinking about whichever part of my bowel/colon /whatever is poking through .

I feel anxious about gardening and shopping etc .

Anyone reassure me ?

Hi, I have bowel adhesions and sounds similar, it is stressful. I have had more surgery for it...they told me just to get on with things but rest if it is really bad. Hope the scan goes OK.

Oh thank you orange ,it's hard not to focus on words like "obstruction" and "blockage" isn't it ?

I just wish I'd said more to the GP and asked more questions . I can be so stupid like that .

@peridito I've had an incisional hernia and my bowel has strangulated several times. I'm still here to tell the tale. I can try to answer any questions you may have.

Thanks GeoffreysCat - I guess I'm thinking that until more info is known after the scan I should be careful about exerting strain onmy bowels in particular and my abdominal muscles in general .

I am prone to lifting and carrying heavy things so can stop that ,but the bowels might be a different story .Not because I'm constipated but because I'm sure I have a prolapse and also maybe becauseva bit of my bowel is poking through where it shouldn't .

What do you think ? Do you think they might suggest surgery or might they just say live with it ???

I guess I should say that I imagine the hernia will be related to major surgery a few years ago where my eosphageous was resected and my stomach reduced and pulled up into my chest to form a new oesphageous .

@GeoffreysCat was surgery suggested for you ? If not can you say why ? Tho please don't if you'd rather not !

Obvs generalising slightly... Depending on lots of things there may not actually be bowel in the hernia (if it’s small there’s often just a lump of fat). If you can feel/see bowel moving in the hernia & don’t have colicky pain then that generally means it’s happy bowel. The scan should help define what’s in the lump & confirm whether it’s related to an old scar/ or if it’s one of the other weird & wonderful sorts of hernias. Unless there’s a good reason not to (perhaps relating to your previous surgery) most incisional hernias seem to get repaired to stop it enlarging (they can get quite impressively large) & prevent incarceration/strangulation (both of which are surgical emergencies). If things change (eg the lump becomes inflamed/your bowels stop working/you get colicky pain) then get reassessed. (Coi - am not a surgeon!).

Thank you WalkingthruaWall ,that's v helpful .

Don't suppose you could throw in any advice about general life style re lifting/twisting/straining to prevent me aggravating the situation ?

I think they will make a decision based on your scan results and symptoms.

Mine was very symptomatic. A lot of pain and frequent bouts of severe vomiting when it became trapped. I would have episodes lasting a few hours and then it would free itself. The plan was to operate but my bowel strangulated before they could do it and I ended up having emergency surgery instead.

My second one was when my first repair failed. Again I had a lot of pain and severe vomiting. I was admitted and had an ng tube put in so I could decompress and hopefully my bowel would free itself. If that had worked they wouldn't have done surgery but unfortunately it didn't so they operated again.

Being careful not to lift heavy weights is always a good idea anyway. Before I had my first operation the consultant told me to chew each mouthful of food at least twenty times to reduce pressure on my bowel. In the end I ended up living on soups and yoghurts as I felt they were easier on my body!

I would just monitor how your symptoms are and let your doctor know if they get worse. Obviously if you have severe pain go to A+E immediately. Hope all goes well for you.

Thank you Geoffrey'sCat - what an awful time you've had .Absolutely dreadful .
I hope things are better for you now .
Thank you for your kind wishes and for posting .