A musician's dilemma!

[fozheart]

Could someone please explain to me how and why pressure on the abdomen is bad for possible hernias? If it was not a hernia and just scar tissue or adhesions, or a fistula, would pressure be bad for that too? And, how could it be another hernia if my whole stomach is meshed?

I know this sounds dumb, but I have been able to go back to playing my clarinet in the community band. I have been sitting in the back of the section so I can just take it easy. But now the conductor has invited me to be the principal player! That is an honor, but I would really have to push the air out, which would take more pressure. I have fallen in the trap several times where I follow dr. orders and don not do anything that I am not supposed to do, and end up with a hernia anyways. I am very good at following directions and taking orders! Even though he says I have no restrictions, a tiny voice inside of me is saying, "don't do it!" A few weeks ago, I was hurting really hurting after a rehearsal, in the place where my incisional hernia was, from my stoma that I had. It was a different feeling- I felt like the area was wet, underneath the skin. Any ideas?

Sorry- I am just having a hard time, and I have spent so much time and had so many tests the last 6 months, and they still don't have a diagnosis. Music was my career, but I do not want to risk having another surgery.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Very sorry your crohns had limited your ability to do what you enjoy and your music is being affected by this Im going to tag afidz, who also deals with hernias, in hope that she can help next time she is online.

 

[fozheart]

Thank you, Crohns Chicago,
I learned my lesson the hard way, and spent the last week playing to prepare for my first rehearsal. Each day, the pain where the stoma and hernia was got worse, and right next to it there is an area around the belly button that is puffy. I thought maybe it was an air pocket, but when I push on it, there is pitting, like fluid. I will just put the music aside now.

I am sorry to be such a pain: if the doctors ever made a definite diagnosis, or gave the right restrictions, life would sure be easier, wouldn't it? I don't even know who I would go see to get this checked out- my current GI has handed my case over to a dr at a different institution 2 hrs. away. I cannot afford to go, and my poor family needs to come first for a change.

I am sorry to vent so much. I just wanted to live out one more dream, because it is the only thing that I have even done well at.

 

[Axelfl3333]

If you have a hernia and playing a wind instrument the pressure from your diaphragm is probably affecting it.have you tried a support bandage or those super stylish spanx for support as a temp measure,but you really Need to get to the doctors in case it twists and herniates.good luck

 

[fozheart]

Yes, I always wear a binder, but don't think it is adequate anymore. I think about how opposite it is-the pressure from my diaphragm is pushing against the mesh. Can't be a good thing. For me, continuing to play was like my way of being in denial of my medical situation, because I could be in control. But that IS denial. I am not in control of what is happening to my body. Thank you so much...yes, i will figure out a way to get to the doctor. When you say if it twists and herniates, are you referring to the intestine?

 

[afidz]

A hernia, as you know is a weak area or a hole in you muscles. So, with your hernia being on your abdomen, there is potential that it could give your digestive system room to move and something can become twisted and/or obstructed. My CT scan showed that my colon is largely involved with my current hernia, so even though as of right now there are no signs of an obstruction, I am at a high chance of it.
I am completely guessing about the wet feeling, I completely understand what you meant. What I was thinking it COULD be is your skin is touching what ever is around the hernia. You said you were practicing when it felt like that? So I wonder if you made the hernia worse while you were playing?

 

[Axelfl3333]

Fox heart I won,t go into detail had a hernia years ago depends where it is,how big they have potential to be serious doctors req,d sooner rather than later.good luck

 

[fozheart]

Thanks Axel and Afidz! Yes, I bowed out for playing- very much in pain whatever I did. I need to seeso many of my dr's. I think I will go to my oncologist/hematologist first, who seems to understand my body and take the best and most cautious care of me. Hopefully he will do a CT. So..that would show a hernia or twist? I can't even lay on my stomach, it hurts so much, and there is no appetite whatsoever, because there is no room for anything. (I was doing so much better on prednisone,) It needs to be replaced. Interestingly enough, I got a response from my old college professor today saying that playing the correct way (which I was doing), just pushes out on the abdominal wall, especially playing the higher parts, which I was attempting to do. I wish I had known that earlier. RRRG! Yes, I had a binder, but did not do the job. I will make my appointment...yeah, that wet feeling did happen while playing, and is scary. So....Bye bye clarinet. Maybe hello to being a percussion player so I can stay in the band. Harmless little triangle? Thank you for your help- I get scared! And afidz- how long, and why do you have to wait for surgery? Is your pain bad?

 

[afidz]

I have to wait for a few reasons. One being, I simply can't afford it just yet, and two, I need to get this flare under control.
I am sorry to hear that you can't play the clarinet anymore, maybe someday in the future you can pick it up again.

 

[fozheart]

I have to wait for a few reasons. One being, I simply can't afford it just yet, and two, I need to get this flare under control.
I am sorry to hear that you can't play the clarinet anymore, maybe someday in the future you can pick it up again.

Thank you! And I hope that you can get out of your flare! Yes.. it very sad that money prevents so many of us for getting the care we need! I am sure that you are being as careful as you can while you wait. I hope things get better for you!

 

[Axelfl3333]

I find it barbaric that people with serious medical conditions living in the USA can,t get help because of money it's wrong.if your hernia was twisted you,d know about it not sure about the ct scan picking it up,mine was kinda obvious but sorry to labour the point doctor req,d quick fix and get back to your music.good luck