Paraumbilical Hernia... Doctor said Not to Worry but...?
 

I went to a walk in clinic today (I have no family doctor) with a hernia. He confirmed it was a paraumbilical hernia and then said I do not need to worry about it, they never strangulate and never need surgery. Recommended me to get an ultrasound but that's it.

I was skeptical because of the amount of discomfort I am in... that can't be okay to just "leave it".

So, in my research since coming home I have found NO medical advice that agrees with that the doctor told me. Everything I have researched states the opposite, that there is a real risk of strangulation (the bowels die) and that it will not go away without surgery!!!

What the heck!!

I live far from the nearest city so this means another 3 hour round trip to wait two hours at another clinic and hope another doctor doesn't just brush me off. (and since I live so far from town there is a real risk if it strangulates I will be stuck at home waiting for help for quite a long time).

Does anyone have any experience with this?? Should I just trust the doctor and disregard what I have read?? I really think I need a second opinion but holy crap what a waste of a day.

ugh!!!

the more I am looking into this the more I think I should maybe go to the hospital... if it's tender and large it could mean it's strangulating... especially if I am having weird thin poops...

I'm not one to advocate running to ER for every minor thing, but I think I'd be going to ER for this one.

I think you are panicking. First things first - Get the ultrasound that the doctor recommended you get.

I agree get the ultrasound like your Dr. recommended. My mother lived with one for about
20 years and it never gave her any trouble. A good friend of mine has a very large one
and his Dr. is not pressuring him to have it repaired. My Dr. told me not to worry about mine
unless it got much larger and started hurting in which case go to the ER.

I don't know how large OP's hernia is, but she stated that it was tender, she had "discomfort" & bowel changes.

I ended up going to the ER the next day because I was in such pain. It was actually a problem with my bowels and NOT a hernia. I am very glad I went because the stress of the pain was making it worse. I waited 9 hours at the ER but the doctor was great and very supportive of low carb eating which was a shock.

Wow, that is a pretty big misdiagnosis.

I'm glad you went & got treatment. You're OK now?