Does everyone with PN problems have sitting problems

[Alan]

When I first joined this forum, I could not sit for at least five months (due to lifting weights and possibly tight pelvic floor). I had electric shocks from my sacrum to my genitals. Since then, I have had two nerve blocks, with the second one last November. Now, I can sit most of the day with 'mild' to no pain. However, walking long distances, bowel movements, lifting heavy or sex 'may' or 'may' not inflame my nerve. Some days it's fine & other days I have an 'inflamation' painful day. Lifting weights (repititions) definitely causes inflamation as I 'had' to try but, nope-that was a 'bad' idea. Doctors found a bulged disc at L5S1. I am scheduled to have a block given into this location in two weeks to see if this is the cause of my nerve problems. I guess what I am asking is-can you sit most of the day but, still be classified as having PN? I initially felt a 'painful' rip like sensation in rectum when this started-and can still have spastic nerves in this location if I do any of the above things. My body isn't making any sense. Anyone with similar problems?

[Lernica]

If you can sit without problem I don't think it's your pudendal nerve. Your symptoms are similar to mine, even though my pudendal nerve issues are mostly resolved. What they have discovered in me (upon an internal exam in the rectum) is that I have a "trigger point" in the muscles of my pelvic floor (in my case, on the left side). This is a knot that needs to be massaged out manually (by a pelvic floor PT) or neutralized with an injection of botox or marcaine or the like (by a pain intervention doctor, usually an anaesthetist). I think your first step should be to see a pelvic floor PT. They are trained to determine whether there are trigger points on the pelvic floor.

This condition is also known as pelvic myofascial pain syndrome. I have a very good paper about it, please pm me if you would like a copy. (I may have got it from this forum, I forget. If so, thank you to whoever posted it.)

Good luck.

[Alan]

Thank you. My pain is also on the left hand side.

[Lernica]

You're welcome. Let us know how it goes. I just recently got this diagnosis but can't see a pelvic PT until the end of the month. They are a busy lot, those pelvic PTs!

[Alan]

Yes, they are busy... my pain specialist is getting aggressive now. I am having a colonoscopy next week (to rule out cancer, tumors, ect). The week after that I am having a nerve block done in my L5S1 bulged disc, and then in March I am having a pudendal nerve test done. Logically, I would think that 'something' will show up as the problem area. If not, I will try physical therapy. Oh yeah, I am also getting my wisdom teeth pulled out before Easter. Maybe that's the problem. (: I feel like I am an engine being overhauled.

[Lernica]

Alan,

That's a lot of steroid injections, especially added to the two you've already had. Just be sure you're aware of the cumulative risks of steroids in your body. One lady on the forum had her eye vision irreparably damaged as a result, she thinks, of repeat steroid blocks. Also, be prepared to experience pain during your colonoscopy given your pudendal nerve symptoms. I always found colonoscopies to be very painful. Anyway, good luck with the overhaul, and welcome to the club!

[PaulSa]

My symptoms started with bilateral sitting pain/burning. It has progressed to pain in the front of my thighs when standing now as well. Burning from sitting contributes to about 85% of my problem.