to thnk she could have pushed my intestines back in

[maddening]

Have an umbilical hernia from pregnancy with ds.

It has become strangulated a few times eventually going back in. When it was finally diagnosed the dr pushed it back in - the pain relief was immediate and it took a couple of minutes to do.

So yesterday I was at my parent's house (I am staying over once a week so I can avoid lifting as much as poss and df is at work) it is 40 mins away from my home.

So my hernia started hurting when we were in the village and about to go for lunch at midday so we go home. By the time I got there it was awful - I lay down and could feel the hard lump. Mum tried to get her Dr to see me in the next village but there were no appts. I called my gp and got an emergency appt for 3.30pm . By 1pm it really stepped up a gear - was thinking about a&e but awkward with ds being 2 so mum took me to dr down the road. It was empty of patients - receptionist said no drs were in but the nurse practitioner was in so she would ask her. I obviously looked a state being in a fever and obvious pain.

The nurse practitioner was not with a patient - as the receptionist opened her door I could see she was doing paperwork. Sh refused to even speak to me saying we should go to a&e - which was 40 mins away or I could wait 4hours for an ambulance.

So I could either

Go to hospital with my son which would take 40 mins at least to get there and likely a couple of hours to be seen.

Go home and be seen at 3.30pm

But the nurse could have sorted it right there and then.


I thankfully got it back in before 3.30 but still went to my dr who checked me over. I asked about the timescales and her advice was if I can't get it back in within half an hour I should seek medical assistance - and a&e would treat as a medical emergency as after a certain time you are in danger if gangrene and losing bits of bowel.

So aibu to feel that the nurse practitioner should have helped me being that it had been stuck out for over an hour and it could be another 2 hours before I would likely be seen at a&e - it would have taken her a couple of minutes and no patients were waiting?

[maddening]

Seachelle - yes on Tuesday I felt it was life threatening which is why I went to closest drs - I had gone in to a fever and it was agony - I think that's why I had the "why didn't she just help me" feeling - I am glad I wbu as I greatly respect the profession and felt (incorrectly) let down so am glad I wasn't actually :)

Am just going to take it easy till the op!

[Seachelle]

Good! Don't do anything too strenuous. I found eating soft foods helped - I pretty much lived on yogurts and soup. I was also advised to chew my food really well so that it was in very small pieces.

Pay attention to a lack of bowel movements or wind as this can be an early sign you are obstructed. Since my operations I am always happy when I've trumped as I know everything is working properly!

[maddening]

Good tips - so glad I posted :) thanks

[Whoknowswhocares]

Yabu, as you probably already realise! Extreme pain is likely to bring on irrational thoughts, so quite understandable........but in the cold light of day, the absolute last thing you would want is the uninitiated prodding around randomly!!!!!
Good luck with your surgery and if you have any other issues in between, at least you now know to head straight for a and e.

[WiseKneeHair]

Next time it happens, go and lie down. Take some pain relief and try and RELAX! I know, easier said than done. If it doesn't reduce either on its own or with a gentle push within 1/2 hour, go to A&E.
Best to manage to hold off until April to get it repaired electively than needing it done as an emergency as you are likely to be in hospital for a shorter time and it would be less likely to recur.

[Lockedout434]

Maddening hi mine was fine a breeze I was in and out , tiny scar in my belly button. I am sure he did some sort of tummy tuck as my stomach was flatter. Could be just as he stuck it together again properly but anyway it was better than it was before and as this was in the days of pre signing you off for your recovery rather than actually how ill you are I got six weeks off work.
Which I took with no guilt what so ever as I had just worked my bloody arse off for them through immense pain and no bloody sympathy.

So as long as you don't pick up anything heavy for 4 weeks you should be ok. My youngest was 18 - 20 months and I managed ok. She had been walking for ages. If I remember rightly I potty trained her in those weeks .

Good luck though. You will be fine. It's just great to be out of pain and not to have to lie on work toilet fl

[Lockedout434]

Maddening hi mine was fine a breeze I was in and out , tiny scar in my belly button. I am sure he did some sort of tummy tuck as my stomach was flatter. Could be just as he stuck it together again properly but anyway it was better than it was before and as this was in the days of pre signing you off for your recovery rather than actually how ill you are I got six weeks off work.
Which I took with no guilt what so ever as I had just worked my bloody arse off for them through immense pain and no bloody sympathy.

So as long as you don't pick up anything heavy for 4 weeks you should be ok. My youngest was 18 - 20 months and I managed ok. She had been walking for ages. If I remember rightly I potty trained her in those weeks .

Good luck though. You will be fine. It's just great to be out of pain and not to have to lie on work toilet floors and push your innards back in.

[recall]

Maddening - I am a nurse, and I wouldn't have a clue how to treat your hernia, it is something I have never been trained to do. However, I would have handled the situation differently, by at the very least showing some kindness and compassion.

Hope you are feeling better

[maddening]

Thanks ladies

V reassuring locked out - ds is 2 and walking but I am looking for childcare anyway as I am hoping to get a job soon (before the op) and being sat at a desk will be physically easier than being at home so that might help (financially too!) And if he is in childcare when I have the op that will help also.