DS has an ingunial hernia w/ hydrocele

[jfoofj]

My DS, who is 9 and a half, was complaining of a funny feeling "down there" starting this past Thursday night. A few months ago he was complaining of right testicular pain, and we did the whole ER/ultrasound route, and the pain went away and nothing was conclusive. DS tends to be a bit dramatic about anything health related (he has allergies, asthma, eosinophiliac esophagits, GERD... he tends to worry a lot... and is actually seeing a therapist for some anxiety/OCD stuff). SO, he had his field trip on Friday and was fine. Saturday no complaints, it was a rainy day and we just hung out at home. Sunday we were very busy visiting family, and we went to a big Mother's Day party where there was a bouncy house thing... and DS was in it for 3 hours of and on, playing hard. He complained of a "fullness" and "pulling" sensation in his privates. I took a peek (he is VERY private about his privates recently) and there appeared to be some swelling in his groin area. He wasn't in pain, it just felt weird, uncomfortable, and I said if it was still there in the morning we would call the Dr.

Well, this morning I awoke to my son yelling that "something was REALLY wrong". His left testicle was huge, approx 3 times the size of the right one. When he stood you could really see a bulge in his groin area, but when he would lay down you couldn't see it. We went to his pediatrician and she said he has an inguinal hernia with a hyrdocele. She didn't seem to be too overly concerned... she said he will need surgery "sooner rather than later" but that since it isn't strangulated (which would cause severe pain and be a surgical emergency) she was ok with him going as long as a month before having it done. The pedi-surg department can't even SEE him until the 26th, nevermind when his surgery will be. He can't lift heavy stuff, ride his bike, participate in gym class until he has the surgery. He is also uncomfortable... not in pain, but constant discomfort. I think a few weeks to a month is a bit excessive to make a kid wait to have this issue addressed. He is already freaked out by this, and he tends to really focus on his health issues and it causes him great anxiety. He has an appt already scheduled this Friday w/ his therapist, so she will be a help but I just really am having a hard time being ok with the wait. I just want it done.... why wait and risk having this thing "strangulate" and cause an emergency?!

SO, anyone have any input? Been through this? Am I being unreasonable? The Dr did say if he experienced a sudden onset of severe pain to go straight to the ER but I honestly don't think my son will do well with 3 weeks- a month of being like this, even though it isn't pain at this point.

 

[RNMOM]

As a former surgery nurse I know these are very common but often are found at a much younger age. If it swells and doesn't go down when he lies down, call the doctor and of course also if the pain increases.

There is a channel the testicles descend down from within the abdomen to the scrotum. Most baby boys testes are already in the scrotum or come down shortly after birth but some do not. In some guys this channel doesn't close down and the testicles can actually slide up and down. It is best for the testicles to remain in the scrotum so the sperm can remain healthy and active. This same channel can also allow a loop of bowel to slip down into the scrotum. This is what you see when it is swollen. Apparently it can move freely back and forth hence the doctor saying it isn't an emergency. Often it gets stuck in the scrotum and causes a lot of pain and then it becomes an emergency.

In a boy who hasn't had to endure the other health problems you son has they wouldn't be as stressed but he certainly has had his share already in his life. Try calling the pediatrician and seeing if they can't get you in to the surgeon faster. Be polite and just let her know he is not dealing with this well.

The surgery itself is pretty simple but he will have some tugging and moderate pain afterward but it will heal fast. Hopefully things will happen faster than planned and you can get him back on his feet and being active again.

 

[mom2travel]

I would just keep trying to get an earlier appointment. Keep calling to check for cancellations, and tell the person you speak with why you are trying to get your son in earlier - maybe they will make a note and call you if there is an opening sooner.
Good luck - it stinks watching your kids when they are hurting

 

[luvmarypoppins]

My one ds had the surgery when he was 17 months old. He did fine. Wanted to climb the next day but that was not going to happen. He still has 2 tiny scar marks on each side from the surgery.

The surgeon did tell us that usually if there is something on one side, they go ahead and look at the other side too and even if nothing is visible there is a good likely hood of it being bilateral, which in my ds case it was.

Snce your ds is in discomfort I would also put your name on the cancellation list and see if your pediatrician can call and get him in sooner as other posters have said.

Wishing your ds all the best.

 

[jfoofj]

Thanks so much for the info... DS seems to be dealing ok with this so far... he is home from school just now and says his day was good, no issues. Of course he can't go ride his bike or play too hard right now so he is a bit bummed out. I am calling the Dr's office everyday to see if there is a cancelation to get him seen for the consult so we can get this ball rolling. Fingers crossed we get seen soon, get a surgery date soon, and put this behind us.

 

[Micca]

I am calling the Dr's office everyday to see if there is a cancelation to get him seen for the consult so we can get this ball rolling.

I know this is serious, but please take a second to review your remark above.


Hope you can get your DS taken care of soon.

 

[jfoofj]

OMG