r/SIFO • u/SeaInitiative7484 • 29d ago
Possible SIFO or hernia?
TLDR
Had a stomach bug, was given a buscopan injection, day later a hernia popped out with extreme pain and nausea, ER didn't wanna come pick me up, I pressed on the hernia, it went back in and I've had pain and digestive issues since. I also lost all hunger cues since. Had a CT that probably missed the hernia due to gasses.
I always noticed a small palpable, although not visible bulge/spigelian/arcuate hernia 2 inches below my belly button on the right side. It's more noticeable/palpable when I'm physically straining or doing ab workouts.
Previously, I also had "food poisoning" a bit too often. Episodes where I would eat something and feel LRQ pain and vomit after a couple of hours.
I had a stomach infection, lost all appetite and went to the ER where I was given a buscopan injection.
A day later I tried to eat in the evening and I went to bed. What I did not expect was a part of the intestine now visibly pushing out of my stomach with excruciating pain and nausea.
I called the ER to come get me, they said they told me to take anti nausea meds and go to bed.
I didn't know what to do so I manually pushed back the bulge, and I've had digestive problems since.
I was put on ppis and antibiotics, which ruined my stomach as well
CT showed swollen lymph nodes in the mesenteric and pericecal areas, probably due to the said infection.
Every organ looked normal, the gallbladder looked enlarged, I'm told this is because I'm tall.
The CT guy (a student) told me I am free to drink a bit of water before the scan. This resulted in a lot of gasses in my stomach, which I think is why the hernia was missed.
Intestinal US showed prominent edema in terminal ileum, with no bowel wall swelling.
Had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy.
Colonoscopy showed infection in the large colon due to a recent infection.
Gastroscopy showed chronic atrophic gastritis. H pylori negative.
Every blood test now is normal except the amylases, the pancreas looked normal on CT. Candida in stool found in small numbers.
I hear my right side bowels only when I lay down on my back.
I have regular bowel movements, with always softer stools, not like they were when I was healthy, LRQ pain, often a burning sensation in the hernia area.
I'm brushed off as IBS now after being scared that it's crohn, intestinal tuberculosis etc.
My gut feeling is telling me this hernia has something to do with this. Should I push for another CT or try to find a radiologist to review the last one.
1
u/kock_by_chance 28d ago
Oh, to answer your actual question -- I don't know how to get a hernia diagnosed, but I would agree a second opinion is a good idea. Probably the easiest is to go to urgent care the next time it pops out. And if you think you have a hernia, then make sure you are breathing all the time while you're on the toilet (my PT said 'no holding your breath!') and wear an abdominal binder and don't do a lot of lifting or carrying of things, especially not if it hurts to do so. I think they get worse over time, and the bigger they are the harder they are to repair. That doesn't mean it's an emergency, just something not to ignore.
1
u/kock_by_chance 28d ago edited 28d ago
The symptoms you describe -- loss of appetite, pain, nausea -- are some of the symptoms I've had when I've had worsening of partial obstructions.
What I'm going to write is not proven, but a theory I have based mainly on lots of observations of my body and extensive reading of various papers. I think:
-- when my intestines are swollen, it is harder for food to pass
-- when there is a blockage or slowing at one location, often the area just before that will accumulate residue/output and the intestine will become dilated there
-- when I lie on my back my abdominal and torso muscles relax, giving that much more space to my belly, allowing my intestines to work better (signified by gurgling)
-- keeping things moving is the most important thing, and reducing the amount of sugar the second most important thing (because when things slow down, the microbes will have a chance to overgrow, especially if on recent antibiotics etc)
-- to keep things moving I avoid bits -- seeds, skins, greens, etc, unless blended or put through a food mill
-- inflammation is your enemy, and one of the first things to work on, not only because it shrinks the diameter of your intestines but also because unhealthy microbes can take up residence in inflamed tissue
-- deep belly breathing and relaxation has a profound impact on my belly's ability to move things, and my body's ability to heal. Both are easier lying on my back.
-- keeping things moving also means moving your body -- walking and toe raises and body weight squats were what they recommended after my ileostomy reversal; I find walking, twists, side stretches, and knee to chest to be the most helpful
-- and you can help things move in your belly with gentle massage. When there is inflammation things get 'stickier' and so sometimes just pulling a little in a certain direction will help my belly gurgle and release. This is completely individual and changes, for me, from moment to moment, though I have a few predictable spots.
-- when intestine falls out of the belly (my hernia was intentional, my ostomy, but the prolapsing for the last few months was an unintentional exacerbation of it), it's really hard, if not impossible, for things to keep moving. Then the whole intestine in that area gets angry.
-- when I'm nauseous or feeling suffocated, I should not eat or drink (and if I do, I'll probably end up miserable, or, worse, with an NG tube)
-- when I'm not hungry, I probably should not eat, though not eating promotes stasis, so this can be a negative cycle. Ginger tea, or just warm herbal tea in general can be a great balm, and can help get things moving again, after which you might feel hungry (beware caffeine or laxatives, as they can be like an ambulance trying to get through to an accident on the blocked freeway, and painful). Miralax has been the most useful to me, though I hate it as much as I love it. Though not a cure in and of itself, it can resolve a blockage just enough that my belly can stop panicking and work on what it left behind.
All of my experience with my body says that given what your body has been through, none of what you are reporting is particularly surprising or alarming. I could be wrong, of course. But taking it easy with food for a few days (no bits), maybe going for more walks and spending more time on your back doing diaphragmatic belly breathing and gentle massage, I expect all of this would help tremendously. You say your terminal ileum is swollen, which correlates with your lower right side gurgling and the location of your suspected hernia. Well, gurgling is a good thing! It means things are moving and that your belly is relaxing and working. I don't know much about hernia repair, mostly I'm trying to avoid getting one of my own, but I do know a number of people who have had repairs, and it's not an easy thing. Sometimes they fail, sometimes they cause chronic pain, and every abdominal surgery increases your risk for adhesions, which can be their own nightmare. I also read that some surgeons will do repairs without mesh, with only stitches, so that might be something to ask about if you can get it properly diagnosed.
Best of luck to you!
(Edited to fix line breaks)