ACUTE CASE : Post Pregnancy Umbelical Hernia (post script edit below)

 

Excerpt from the history: I have been having trouble with pain from an umbilical hernia (first noticed with second pregnancy but hadn't caused pain outside of pregnancy until now, after doing too much exercise a couple weeks ago) and I'm not sure what to do about it. (She has had 3 normal pregnancies and deliveries over the last 6 years.) The Dr recommends surgery since it is  symptomatic, although small. I am concerned for the recovery of the surgery since I need to take care of and lift the baby, it is impossible for me not to. I would really appreciate your honest opinion. Is this something that homeopathy can help with at all?

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 When the umbilical hernia itself is acutely bothering me, the pain can be a tearing type of pain I think. The belly button area definitely gets red and feels very sensitive and almost raw to touch, as if it was almost an open sore (although it is not, just red and irritated, sensitive). I also get a pin prick type feeling on my belly button. The pain sometimes feels close to what it feels like to have indigestion or bad gas trapped in the intestines. My stomach area can feel very heavy. It is always worse after eating. (best after sleep or rest/lying down). Sometimes it feels like there is gurgling or bubbling.

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The particular night that the hernia first really hurt me when I aggravated it...I was extremely dizzy that evening. Normally if I have any type of dizzyness, Ferrum Phos 6x takes care of it fairly quickly but it did not touch it at all so I suspect it was related to the hernia issue somehow.

One strange thing is that although my belly button does feel the burning type feeling...it does not feel hot so much as Cold sensations inside. Seems strange but it does? It definitely feels worse tonight than it has for a couple days though.

 

Follow Up one day after the remedy:

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My husband and I think that the hernia itself looks better (possibly reduced some). It has not been very red or sore the last two days and seems to be a bit flatter. My stomach is upset again tonight though, same as above, trapped wind, feel distended and heavy, almost like I ate way too much...though yesterday it had felt much better.

 

Follow up 3 days after the remedy:

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Yes certainly my belly button looks different, flatter and certainly softer. I think that is a great sign too. My husband said he was surprised to be able to see the difference like that.
My stomach upset is still bothering me, however, so I will update that. The same as I detailed above. I feel full and distended almost as soon as I start eating it seems. This afternoon I have also had some diarrhea. I can see my intestines spasming or rolling from the outside of my stomach very easily which is a bit strange. I feel a bit weak and a bit nauseated.

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The following day: I just wanted to let you know that the stomach issue appears to have been viral. I seem to be feeling better today but my husband has the stomach upset now.

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 Follow up 6 days after the remedy:

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My stomach upset seems to be feeling much much better! The rest is going well. I have had no more any pain associated with the hernia. The 'hole' that I could feel in my umbilical area has reduced to half the size. I am thrilled!

 

 

Analysis:

ABDOMEN; PAIN; General; umbilicus; region of (K571, G485)

ABDOMEN; PAIN; General; eating; agg.; after (K558, G475)

ABDOMEN; HERNIA; Umbilical (K552, G471) (Protrusion; Umbilicus)

ABDOMEN; PAIN; burning; umbilicus; region of (K573, G487)

ABDOMEN; PAIN; General; lying, while; agg. (K558, G476)

GENERALITIES; SLEEP; amel.; after (K1402, SII-599, G1156)

 

 Discussion: I was also aware that she had not slept well for a long time (a month at least), with 3 children and constant visitors (family) staying with her. So she was looking after everyone except herself. She was doing all the housework and cooking, etc.

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 My differential choice was Plumbum or Cocculus.

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Knowing the above history, Cocculus was the obvious choice. One dose of 30C resulted in reduction of the hernia to more than half its size with apposition of the muscles as well. She is also very sensitive to homeopathy and hence was given just one dry pill of Cocculus 30C.

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POST  SCRIPT EDIT: This article was written in 2004. 
Subsequently, I would like to add that Hernia's in general take a long time to respond especially if they have been around for a long time, like 10 or 20 years. 
 

Today (2020), I would have preferred to repeat the Cocculus 30 C as a daily dose (even plussed doses are good) till the hernia completely disappeared - my assessment from experience. In addition, my advise for Umbelical Hernia, is to use a broad strap of cloth or any other soft material  like a  belt that covers the umbelical area and assists the muscles and ligaments to strengthen themselves into alignment.

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