Hernia belts

[Sixsquid]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

So not only do you need help with your dry glove seals , your going to be faffing around with a truss.

Support belt if you don't mind

Actually the real help I could do with is lifting heavy stuff up or down. Weight on the back, simply walking to get in and shuffling to a near seat, should be ok (wearing the support) but the real difficulty will be lifting stuff up, down, twisting and probably pushing a hoover So far driving ain't great

[hogen-deifar]

Originally Posted by Sixsquid

but the real difficulty will be pushing a hoover

Why didn't you say something on Friday!? Actually, why didn't I offer? Sorry!

Let me know which evening and I'll whizz over and do the whole house for you! Don't mind. Honest!

[Sixsquid]

Originally Posted by hogen-deifar

Why didn't you say something on Friday!? Actually, why didn't I offer? Sorry!

Let me know which evening and I'll whizz over and do the whole house for you! Don't mind. Honest!

Don't you be worrying you angel I would very much like to borrow the hoover again and I'm sure I'll be fine with the 'support'. Just anything to get out of domestic chores

[Sixsquid]

The belt has arrived .....

and, while it is adjustable from a leg and waist/back strap point of view, the hard bit at the front with 2 kidney shaped pads is not

Either everyone is extremely narrow down there or it's ideally designed for a hernia very low in the groinal area. Mine is higher up the groove (in line with my competition winning 8 inch scar) so the pad is, as I understand it, not in the right place. I've managed to adjust it higher with the pad just about secured by the velcro but it definitely wouldn't work if I had one on each side.
I'm hoping my adjustment is appropriate and that I'm not causing any further probs. Edward ?

[edward]

Hernias typically are lowish in 'groinal' (love that description) area - but a hernia can occur in other places, e.g. belly button (umbilical), scrotum (not for you, obviosly).

I suspect you've got a belt desigend for the lower 'inguinal' area, and your hernia is a bit higher up (I don't know where the 'competion winner' is!). In all honesty, without knowing a bit more I'm only guessing, and I don't really want to do that..... Might be time to talk to your GP, or try to get a referal to some other expert.

Again, only a guess without seeing it, but as long as the hernia is retained firmly, and there is no chance of a bit of it poping out under the pad, then it is probably OK.

This might be worth a read: Hernia Introduction - Health encyclopaedia - NHS Direct

Cheers

[Sixsquid]

Thanks Edward

PM sent

[ericdv]

[quote=edward;739210]Sixsquid

..........Your GP is lying. Trusses are available on the NHS. The drug tariff http://www.ppa.org.uk/edt/July_2007/mindex.htm list all prescribable items available in the UK...........

Thanks Edward mine was nearly two years ago and I wish I had know this then. I was lucky in that the belt I bought worked perfectly and the £25 a small price to pay. I sounds like Sixsquid would have been better with a personal fitting.

[Lake Diver]

I put up with a hernia for about 10 years, I really dont like hospitals! It was only when I took up diving that I eventually decided to get it sorted out, it didn't half hurt when i did a stride entry! Thought about the nhs but long waiting list and also My Dad had a hernia op at our local hospital and ended up being laid up for about a month.
As it turns out once you admit to having a hernia you find out that most other people have also had one, our plumber recommended The British hernia centre in Hendon, I called them and they could fit me in the following week.
It was a bit like going to the dentist, short prep, local anistetic, chat about local restaurants with the anistetist. Get up off the table and walk out to the recovery room. Sent away with pain relief tablets ( some way to big to swallow! I did not fancy trying them)

Excellent service, the down side being the cost -about £1200 4 years ago but you get what you pay for. I was back in the water 3 weeks later doing my open water course.
The relief of getting the hernia fixed was amazing, you dont realise what your are putting up with until it is gone.

[Sixsquid]

Originally Posted by ericdv

I sounds like Sixsquid would have been better with a personal fitting.

Sadly yes, the belt was for a low iguinal hernia which I think is the more common hernia with men. I have sent it back and am waiting to see if I get my refund. In the meantime, on the advice of a medical profession and the assistance of Hogan Deifar, I have bought some underwear which provides support (less embarrased wearing the belt !)

Originally Posted by Lake Diver

The relief of getting the hernia fixed was amazing, you dont realise what your are putting up with until it is gone.

Thanks Lake Diver
I hope I can get it on the NHS soon, otherwise I will have to wait until I sell the house for the money to go private but I def want it sorted asap. Too much living to do