Hello Everyone! I hope you all have a healthy and happy 2008!! I have been having an issue that I need some ideas about- so I'm hoping one of you can relate. A couple of months ago I began to notice some pain on the left side of my lapro scar (from my surgery now 2 years ago)-- the scar that is horizontal and down below the bikini line. I especially noticed it after doing things such as riding my bike. I thought at the time I might be sort of straining or pulling the scar tissue and that could be why it hurt(I must say though that the scar looks great and hasn't been an issue). The pain feels deep inside of me, and really I notice it more when I either push on it or if I am going to the bathroom. It is not sharp, just more like a dull but deep and tender pain. At any rate, this pain has been coming a going for the past couple of months now- it will be around for a few days, starting off stronger and then just sort of tapering away. What could this be?? My ideas include some sort of cyst on one of my organs down there(ovary??), a hernia, or just simply a muscle strain. Any thoughts?
Thanks everyone,
Andrea

The two main things that come to mind are either an ovarian cyst or adhesions or both.

I don't think that muscle strain is likely, but I suppose it is possible.

Jan

Thanks Jan. I just read another post on here that talked about an incisional hernia. Think there is any possibility of this??
Thanks!!
Andrea

I should also mention something else that I have noticed. Over the past couple days it seems like if I have gas I can sort of feel it move over into this area that hurts and make it feel worse for a moment. This gets me suspecting some sort of hernia. Any thoughts on that one??
Thanks!

If you had a hernia, you would feel a bulge when you cough or bear down. A hernia is basically a hole in the fascia, the connective tissue between your abdominal muscles. An incisional hernia would be in the area of your incision. There are other sorts of hernias, but what you describe does sound like adhesions. Adhesions are scar tissue bands that bind your intestines and other organs to each other and the abdominal wall. Think of them as sort of like rubber bands, just not stretchy.

In any event, when you are experiencing new pain that is persistent, you should have it evaluated in person by your doctor.

Jan

Yes! I've had these alot, mostly by my ostomy scar. Jan describes them well. As I've done new, weird exercises (qigong, tai chi), and tried to straighten my posture, I've felt it more. Similar to the pain from the ligaments around the uterus when pregnant, actually.

Thanks for the info guys. It is just such an interesting pain to me since I am quite familiar with the other adhesions I have within my abdomen, I have been hositalized 3 times with blockages as a result. Never noticed that this areas was a problems though, I guess that is why my mind started moving in different directions. Anyway, I guess I will see where things go from here. I am going snowboarding today so hopefully the pain won't creep back up.
Andrea