HELP - just diagnosed with hernia and dive holiday booked for 4 weeks time

[mandibee]

Hi, I have my dream dive holiday booked to go to Borneo to dive at the famous Sipadan in 4 weeks time - I an 37, thought I had pulled a muscle but I have last week been diagnosed with an indirect inguinal hernia 7-8mm in size. I have a small bit of pain but nothing major. I have nothing sticking out that pops or any bulges (I am female also)

I was recently diving in August and had no problems at all did about 10 dives in total.

My doctor is unable to advise and I am waiting to speak to the surgeon as I have been referred for surgery but I cannot speak to him for another 2 weeks and I am going out of my mind as to whether I can still dive.

I am from London and going on a 3 week adventure...to cancel this trip is not an option as my friend is diving there too so to just it and watch will be torture- can anyone offer any advice as to whether its ok to dive. I have read so much about strangulation etc not sure if there is a decent hospital in Semporna if things go wrong.

HELP anyone with info would be great

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

You might consider calling the London Diving Chamber and asking for a consult. If you have a newly diagnosed inguinal hernia one of the recommendations would be to avoid lifting heavy objects. I think that your concern for incarceration and the lack of access to advanced medical care where you're going is certainly valid.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[industrious95]

You could also try calling DAN, they're pretty good with diver's physical advice. They helped me with a good suggestion about my bad rotator cuff.

 

[mandibee]

You could also try calling DAN, they're pretty good with diver's physical advice. They helped me with a good suggestion about my bad rotator cuff.

I can only find a USA number for DAN is there a UK one?

---------- Post added November 13th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ----------

For anyone medically trained I just got hold of my ultrasound report it says:

CONCLUSION: A right reducible indirect inguinal hernia


TECHNICAL FINDINGS:
Right Groin
On Valsalva maneuver, a reducible inguinal hernia with imental fatty tissue is identified lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels. The hernia defect/neck measures 7mm sagital and 6mm transverse planes. The appearances correspond with an indirect inguinal hernia.


No femoral hernia visualised. No other cyst, mass or free flowing collection seen in the region of interest. No lymphadenopathy seen.

 

[DocVikingo]

I can only find a USA number for DAN is there a UK one?

Hi Mandibee,

Yes, you will want to contact DAN Europe (DAN Europe - Contacts).

Best as I know, there is only a medical clinic in Semporna. The nearest real hospital is in Kuching at otherside of the island, about 600 miles away. And for really good medical facilities, Singapore would be a much better bet, about a 900 mile flight.

The dive medicine experts of whom I am aware think that diving with an unrepaired inguinal hernia is not a prudent action.

The primary concern is that a section of small intestine will protrude through the inguinal canal & become trapped. Schlepping heavy suitcases, lifting tanks & other scuba gear, or even hauling yourself back onto the boat could cause a protrusion to occur. Then, upon ascent from a dive, gas commonly in that area of bowel could expand to the extent that the intestinal segment is no longer able to retract into the abdomen. With continued entrapment, very serious problems can arise that require surgery to correct.

Undergoing repair and complete healing of the hernia before returning to scuba is the best way of avoiding a potential medical crisis.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[Divescape]

My wife dives with an inoperable hernia all the time. She has been passed fit by her specialist because there is a small risk of bowel strangulation.

When it comes to kitting up we either dive, backward roll, off a rubber duck or I carry her kit to the water and she kits up in the water.

I think it will likely come down to risk of strangulation and personal discomfort.

There are also a number of products that are available for hernia sufferers that can help to reduce the hernia and give support whilst you are diving. To be honest these help but can be uncomfortable to wear and are not totally effective.

Pop DAN a mail. They are my first call when it comes to definitive answers, rather than personal experience.

 

[TSandM]

This is a small defect, which reduces the risk of herniation of intestine through it, but increases the risk of incarceration or strangulation should that occur. It's really impossible to give you hard numbers for either, because nobody knows the prevalence of undiagnosed hernias in the population. It is true that higher abdominal pressure, such as occurs with lifting, increases the likelihood of something escaping through a hernia, so I would certainly avoid moving tanks or even kitting up on the boat, if you go.

I doubt DAN will be able to give you much better information to work with . . . in such cases, it comes down to the risk-aversion of the individual. I know people who have had prophylactic appendectomies before taking trips to remote areas, even though the likelihood of appendicitis in any individual during any given year is extraordinarily low. I know other people who indulge in high risk activities (like driving while intoxicated) on a regular basis. You're going to have to make a decision based on your own degree of comfort with the knowledge that there is a small but non-zero risk of ending up in serious medical trouble in a remote location.

 

[drbill]

I am not a medical doctor (and I don't even play one on TV). I had a hernia about two years ago and dove with it for quite some time until it was eventually diagnosed and the corrective surgery performed. I was careful to avoid heavy lifting. I can't tell you with any authority that you can take your trip. Hopefully the surgeon can. Lynne (TS&M) has far more knowledge in this area than I do.

 

[Umberto Farese]

Hi, I have my dream dive holiday booked to go to Borneo to dive at the famous Sipadan in 4 weeks time - I an 37, thought I had pulled a muscle but I have last week been diagnosed with an indirect inguinal hernia 7-8mm in size. I have a small bit of pain but nothing major. I have nothing sticking out that pops or any bulges (I am female also)

I was recently diving in August and had no problems at all did about 10 dives in total.

My doctor is unable to advise and I am waiting to speak to the surgeon as I have been referred for surgery but I cannot speak to him for another 2 weeks and I am going out of my mind as to whether I can still dive.

I am from London and going on a 3 week adventure...to cancel this trip is not an option as my friend is diving there too so to just it and watch will be torture- can anyone offer any advice as to whether its ok to dive. I have read so much about strangulation etc not sure if there is a decent hospital in Semporna if things go wrong.

HELP anyone with info would be great

I am EXACTLY in the same situation! We are diving on the 8th of March and I am concerned with what I should be doing. It's a small hernia. Mandi, did you dive in the end?

 

[Saniflush]

I am EXACTLY in the same situation! We are diving on the 8th of March and I am concerned with what I should be doing. It's a small hernia. Mandi, did you dive in the end?

Mandi has not been on in about 4 years and this thread is about that old so I would not expect an answer from her. Maybe some others will weigh in.