Urgh, is this a hernia?

[ShredMeJillianIWantToBeNatalie]

Bit worried and would appreciate hearing any experiences.

I've had four children, last born three years ago. After the first two ten years ago (twins) I had quite a bad separation of my tummy muscles (about a handwidth) and had some physio. This worked very well though I've always been super careful as I was told the area would always be a little weak.

Over the last three months or so I've had some burning pain over my navel and felt a soft lump there (only when standing up, not lying down). It's not super painful, but hurts more if I bump into anything (like leaning against a worktop).

Does that sound like it could be a hernia? Or just a weakness from the previous separation? Do I need to do anything about it?

Am 42, not overweight and fit. Cheers.

Yes, it could be - but you'd be far better off seeing your GP

I had similar - felt like I'd been stabbed leaning over our old kitchen work tops as it just hit the wrong spot, nasty sharp pain - I couldn't get the GP at the time to take it seriously - stress she said - so several years later & I see a Gastro Doc for another stomach problem - he checks me over & discovers I have a small Umbilical Hernia

I would see your Doctor, just to get a proper diagnosis, but they've not treat mine at all, but its a big relief to know what it actually is & our new kitchen benches are a different height so I rarely notice it any more

Thanks rockinhippy, you're right - will make an appointment and see what they say.

I've got separated muscles after my first ds, now 4, and also have umbilical hernia. It is exaclt how you describe, if it is bumped it really hurts but they say there is no need to operate. My separated muscles are the problem and have seen a consltant about them hoping he could sew them up but he says the muscles are too frayed and there is nothing left to sew together. urg!

I've had an incisional hernia, (just above an abdominal scar) - mine was quite large and obvious, but it does sound as if you may have one - I think it's quite common where there is weakness in the muscle.

I had mine operated on - in and out on the same day, couple of days of feeling very sore but then reasonably quickly back to normal, and I've felt much better since the op. I had a mesh put in to hold everything in place, and it was all done laparoscopally - so no big scars to heal.

Just wanted to reassure you in case, it does turn out to be a hernia and do need an op, - it's a relatively easy repair job

Oh poor you stay123, I fear my muscles are probably all frayed and stretched too! I dread to think what kind of mess they might find in there.

Thank you kurri just back from the GP and she said yep definitely a hernia, and is referring for a surgical consultation. She said because it's a small gap it's more likely to need surgery because it's more likely a bit of bowel can get trapped in a small gap. Good to hear your surgery was a success. Not exactly looking forward to the next stage, but am glad I posted otherwise I wouldn't have made the appointment even .....

Helloooo - just in case anyone does a search on this topic. Had the repair done under GA a few days ago and it feels fine. Not too painful, more just uncomfortable. Oh and by far the worst thing has been the post-op constipation (ouch). HTH!