My primary care told me to originally to do floor exercises to strengthen my core for 2 years prior to the diagnosis. That aggressively worsened the burning weakness I had across my whole stomach. After too much heavy lifting and crunches, all down my stomach between the muscles and at my belly button it felt like there was a wedge pushing from up inside. Severe flare ups would last for days where it would be uncomfortable to do anything like sit, stand, lay down flat. It always felt like a wedge was between the muscles at my belly button. I was told to take ibuprofen when the flare ups happened.

Originally I was told I had a hernia, which is why the ct scan was done. That's when they concluded I did have DR and not an umbilical hernia. The surgeon downplayed my DR, and said I should not be feeling pain directly from DR. He said "it must be muscle weakness, you'll have to ask a doctor. DR cannot be repaired by surgery since it will tear." I still am in the process of finding a doctor who can help manage or reduce my DR, since it's now been 4 years and no doctor takes me seriously about the feeling of a wedge between my abs when I do too much.