possible internal hernia?

Well, This is a long story and I"ll try to make it short. about two weeks I started having pain in my lower belly. a dull ache mostly, but it seemed to get worse with food. by the following monday, I went to the emergency room where they did a CT with contrast, couldn't find anything wrong with me, and sent me home. said go see a dr in a few days.
i did that. he said, hmm, I can't see what's wrong with you, let's have you see a gastroenterologist.
i should say at this point that a month ago we moved to Montana from Oregon, so I'm 700 miles from my surgeon's office, and 100 miles from the closest bariatric surgery center.
so I went home, tried to find things to eat that didn't cause the pain, and waited to see the gastro guy.
well, this last Tuesday night, I went into a period of pain unlike any I've ever experienced, stomach pain, some into my middle back. I was going to have my wife drive me to the hospital, 20 miles away, and we reconsidered and called the ambulance.
I was admitted to the hospital, where I started to feel better. Just like when you take your car to the mechanic.
Wednesday and Thursday I had the following tests: ultrasound of belly and gall bladder, HIdaScan (nuclear) test of my gall bladder, and then a whole small bowel study. Lots of bad things were ruled out. yea.
but still, the dr said, hmm, not sure what's wrong with you.
he called my surgeon's office in oregon, and they said AHA, we know what's wrong with that guy. he's about 16 months out from surgery, he's lost 152 lbs, we think he's got an intermittent internal hernia. we can fix that laparoscopically.
so they sent me home thursday night, said go back to a stage 1 diet, and get hooked up with a surgeon.
i seem to be fine as long as i'm on this liquid puree diet. The silver lining is that I've gone from 194 to 178 in the last 6 weeks. I NEVER thought I'd see the 170's again in my life.

So I guess I'm just sharing all this to see if it sounds familiar to anyone out there, and if you have any thoughts. I just can't believe I'm gonna have to pack up and get to Oregon to have them look in my gut, find what's wrong, and then get back here. I could possibly do this in Missoula, which is 2 hrs away, but that surgeon is less experienced and can't guarantee he won't open me up.

this is all just incredibly frustrating and more than a bit of a worry. I just started a new job here in Montana, and this is sure putting a crimp in getting off to a good start.

THANKS for listening!

Joe

Hey Joe,

The pain in the middle of the back and the fact that it improves with liquids sounds like exactly like my Peterson's hernia. They never know, usually until they actually go inside and take a look.

Probiotics (Yogurt bacteria, sometimes mixed with yeast or other bacteria) from the health food store also helped me a lot. Might want to give it a try.

Best Wishes,

Dave

Joe, so Strange that you posted this today....one year ago today...I was having the same pain...it had started warlier...I ran my own tests...constipation...no,  ulcer...prilosec didn;t help...I was dreading everything, I had the worse senerios going on in my head, which all ended with me living under a bridge... Ok, the Saturday before labor day was year....I spent the day, rolling on the floor, trying to find a position where I didn;t hurt...On Sunday I called my surgeon...I had not seen him in a year...I had gone my own way...no problems I Just didn't need a surgeon....he called me back in 7 mins..he send me to the ER They did all your test...the snotty ER doc sent me home with some pain med.....the next day I was still in pain and called my surgeon again...he again called me back in 7 mins....I said...I hurt...he said...I'm going in, you have and internal hernia...I can;t prove it, but you have one micoscopic gall stone, that is my reason to go in....and I;ll fix the hernia.... I checked and went straight to surgery...I woke up an hour later....they asked if I wanted pain me...I said.."not now"....the releif was that instant.... my doc is a laproscopic expert..so go with the more experienced doc... you will feel better when this is over Russ

Hi Joe,

Well, the good news is that once you have the surgery, more than likely, the pain will be gone. Hopefully forever. The extra weight loss bonus is pretty wicked as well. Although, you probably could've done without the pain.  I've been having a pain right above my belly button. It not major pain like you described, yet. Did yours start out that way, then get worse? Curious to know what's ahead of me here.  I'm hoping to look into a tummy tuck down the road. If I do have a hernia, then I want to save it so I can get the insurance to pay for the tummy tuck.  Good luck with your surgery. Ron

my pain started real low, and it was a dull ache which varied in intensity... wish i could afford a tummy tuck!

Insurance companies don't like to cover tummy tucks, or any other "cosmetic" procedures. I've had plenty of experience in this area over the last 17 years. However, if the doctor needs to fix a hernia, which is not cosmetic, then the procedure is much more likely to be approved. I could never fork out the dough on my own. If the insurance doesn't cover it, then it isn't going to happen any time soon.  The pain is near my belly button, and flares up occasionally when my abdomen is in a bind, i.e. bending over, or sitting in certain positions.  Ron

Hi. About 3 Weeks Ago I Had A Round Spot Apear On My Stomic Around  5 Inches Doc. Said It Is A Hernia From Lossing So Much Weight I Lost 119  I Had Open RNY It Dont Hurt  But Burns Some And Sticks Out Alot And My Back Hurts To  I dont Under stand Much About It Doc Wants To Fix It Oct 2 I;m Kind Of Worred I;m Glad I Did Not Go Throw All Pain You Did I Hope Doc Knows What He Talking About  Hope Thangs Go Better For You  Dan