How bad is it?...

I think I mentioned this here before but I suspect a small hernia in my belly button region. Well, I ended up coming home from work today in quite a lot of pain. I've had similar pains occur in the same place, but not as severe as this episode, except for once before about three nights ago. Here's what happened...Today I ate a small plate of a variety of food for lunch (had potluck at work), but I was careful not to eat a lot food, but probably more than "normal"...two or three small bites of probably about 5 or 6 different items. Nothing that I don't normally eat or any "weird" dishes. I suddenly had a very "full, bloating" feeling and my stomach started to swell out just above and in my belly button and it felt very taut like someone just blew up a helium balloon in my stomach! It's definately noticeable to the eye. The gas, food, or whatever it is, just pushed out on my tummy and it hurt like hell! When this happens, I can't get comfortable sitting, standing, walking it off...it just pinches! I decided to go home and take some gas-x to eliminate the bloat, but it didn't work, so I had to made myself throw it up, and that alleviated most of it, then I took some more gas-x and all is well now. It's not an upset stomach...it's not a gall bladder attack....and it's not the feeling when something is "stuck"....I know these all well. I truly think it's a hernia and when I eat, especially a little more than normal, I think it pushes out my intestine into the hernia and PINCHES!!! Then the gas, etc. build up til I throw up, then it goes back to normal. At least this is the only way I can describe it. Before you all hollar at me, I KNOW I need to get to a Dr., but I just made an appt. with my surgeon for some other things, but it's not til December 27th. I'd really rather wait to see him than go to someone here right now. My surgeon is about 3 hrs. from me (on a good day). I don't know what to do. I thought from now til the appt., I could really try to eat softer food, protein drinks, LESS food at a time, etc. to kind of fend off this feeling. But wow, when this pain comes on, it's almost unbearable. Do you think what I'm describing is a hernia? Also, when I push in on my belly button, it makes a "squishy, clicky noise" and my husband Mike said that when he had his embellical hernia, it made that same sound when he pushed in on it. Anyway, love to know your thoughts. And NO, I WON'T CONSIDER THEM MEDICAL ADVICE!! JUST WONDERING. Thanks all. Theresa

Theresa, if you call Henry Ford with your symptoms, they will get you in sooner with Dr. Carlin, I would not wait until December 27th, and certainly the weather is not going to be getting any easier. Call them tomorrow OK? Carol

Thanks Carol...I will call in the morning. Right now I'm fine...and whenever I feel "fine", I always feel I can put it off. But I guess I do need to at least call them. Thanks again, Theresa

I think Carol is right, you need to be seen sooner if you can. It does sound to me like a hernia. Try to take it easy with your portions, throwing up with a hernia will make the hernia worse it seems. I hope you get to the root of this soon, i hate to see you hurting. Hugs Linda

Yep, I know...And thanks, I will be careful til I can be seen. Hugs, Theresa

Hi Theresa: You should e-mail Dr. Carlin with your concern. He and Dr. Genaw are very good at responding to e-mail. I am sure they will get you in soon if it is needed. Use your e-mail and include your medical record number in the subject line so he can look at your records. Melanie

Hi Theresa, I agree call the clinic and tell them you are having pain and they will get you in sooner. You need to get this taken care of ~pain is never a good thing. Your body is telling you something is wrong. It might be a hernia, it may be something else. It may be minor but could be something MAJOR ~Turst me I learned the hard way. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Talk to you later. God bless you, Annette

you could also be a surgery waiting to happen ya know that???? CALL THE DR!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HUGS JUDY

Theresa, You could try wearing the abdominal binder in the interim, until you can get to the doctor. The binder may help keep your abdominal wall supported, especially when you have eaten. I know when my hubby had his binder, he felt alot better. Give that a try. KathyG