I need some guidance on my hernia situation
25M, Hernia issues since I was around 12.
Had my first inguinal hernia surgery at the age of 13. It was an inguinal hernia on the left side. They did not do a mesh since I was still growing. A couple years later, an inguinal hernia on the right side formed. I got surgery for that one when I was 15 and they still did not use a mesh.
Fast forward quite a few more years and the left hernia starts to give me issues again. I stood out of bed and got this extremely unbearable sharp pain on the left side near the original hernia. The pain was so bad that it made me pass out for the first time in my life.
Went to some doctors, got a surgery planned, surgery got postponed because I needed to get heart surgery first. Finally got the surgery for the left inguinal hernia again (laparoscopically). Thought this would maybe finally be the end of all my issues and I can have my life back in my hands. A few weeks go by and I'm still experiencing discomfort in the area. Talked to the doctor and was told I'm fine and it's normal. (This last surgery they used a mesh).
A few more years go by. My girlfriend and I move in with each other, but the hernia is getting very uncomfortable to deal with. There is no visually noticable bulge, but when I apply pressure in the area, I can feel it push back into place, which gives me temporary relief until it comes back. It's getting to the point where I have to constantly take a break at work just to adjust the hernia. I schedule some doctors appointments; they do a CT scan and say everything looks good. So I do my own research and find out that a hernia belt is a thing that exists. So I buy a hernia belt. I am finally able to walk around and be active without having to manually hold my hernia in place.
I schedule more doctors appointments and explain the issue, but we never get anywhere. Doctors seem to be very dismissive of my symptoms and the things I suffer with. I get an ultrasound and they say it looks good. They schedule another type of scan (not the CT) but they cancel it on me because I can't pay $1000 up front (thank you America health care system).
So now, for the past 3 years, I have been purchasing and wearing a hernia belt. The belt has started to cause major irritation around my waist and honestly, at this point, the pain and discomfort from the belt is comparable to the hernia itself.
So I'm at a loss. Not sure why I keep getting hernias. Not sure why the doctors can't fix or help me. I can't exercise, can't swim, can't live my life at all because of this issue. It affects my daily life at work, home. It has affected my relationship. I am suffering daily.
Does anyone have advice? Please...I'm begging all of you reading this. I need help.
Edit: clarified the third surgery used a mesh.