I definitely have weakened abdominal muscles. I have had two hernia repair surgeries in the past year. During my last surgery, they found a third area that was about to tear at any time. My surgeon ended up placing mesh over the majority of my abdominal wall to help reinforce the area. It was a long healing process but the mesh seems to agree with me and I will hopefully not have to deal with another hernia again. They believe this is all related to my DM.

wow, that;s no good about the surgeries, but I"m glad they have been successful! I too have an umbilical hernia since my pregnancies.. i now have a weird looking outie! Do you have the tearing pulling sensation of your abdomen/chest? It's so uncomfortable!

This is a good question about ab muscles. My stomach seems to get bigger with each flare. I am also uncomfortable. I do have the pulling sensation. It would be nice to avoid a tear if possible.

Angie and BNY, I am glad you shared this issue. Have either of you tried a girdle or corset to hold the stomach in place? I was thinking of going by a department store to see if they might have a product that acts like an exoskeleton.

I do lay down periodically and it takes the stress off my stomach. I would like to find a product that would help, so I do not feel uncomfortable when sitting. Any suggestions?

I was VERY uncomfortable at the beginning as I think we all have been because our stomach muscles had no control. I wore an elastic waist band that you can buy at any CVS , Walgreens and/or medical supply store. There are many different kinds depending upon the level of support you feel you need. Here is only one example: www.bing.com/images/search?q=medical+supply+%2b+elastic+bands&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=3BA38F5E17693F7E808DB1BCA7FE86331FD38A24&selectedIndex=62

I used the simple white elastic band about 3-4 inches high with velcro, and later on I had to cut it because it felt too high, however, at the very beginning I wore a kind that fit like an upper body vest that i put my arms through because i felt I needed the upper back support as well to keep my body upright. If you buy at CVS or Walgreens and it doesn't work out, they will take it back like they do anything else.. the medical supply stores? Probably not.

I also wore them occasionally pre-DM when I was lifting something heavy so as to protect my back and my hernia. With DM I wore it all the time for at least 4 months. It made me 'feel' like i was all together. My neurologist was against it. I told him unless he had been in my shoes at some point in his life he needed to know I was doing what was best for ME. We suffer from muscle weakness and the neck is also the weakest part usually and I assume most of you have felt like you want to fall forward most of the time. I used to say I had an elephant on my back.. eventually it became a gorilla, then a monkey.. now just uncomfortable. I believe we must do what is best for us. Listen to your own drummer. Be in tune to your body. Become self aware...

I have a small umbilical hernia since 2000, 11 years before DM! Acupuncture took care of it then and again 8 yrs later when i felt some twinges. Then Yoga helped strengthen my abs but after I got DM of course I can do very little exercise without suffering the next day even though I consider myself 90-95% back to normal after 22 months on prednisone. I just had the hernia ultrasounded while they were looking at something else and it has never grown! I wish you perfect health! Namaste'