Numb penis and scrotum. ED. Burning. Have fun :P

[Morterwind]

Hello everybody!
I am Alexander 32 y.o. 182 cm. and 72 kg. Russia.
i have very complicated situation, currently i have this simptoms:

1. Shaft of the penis completely numb. Head have about 10-20% sensivity
2. Scrotum 50-60% numb (still can slightly feel needle pinch)
3. Penile skin get brown/darker (some kind of stripes)
4. ED
5. Burning sensation at scrotum, head of the penis, inner thighs, sometimes sole of my feet
6. no pain, only numbness and burning

All started at the January with a little burning at scrotum and pain in penis (especially during erections).
Then my urologist prescribe me to make compress with (Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)+Triamcinolone+Hyaluronidase) on the penile shaft, aaadn, on the next morning my penis get almost complete numb, burning sensation was terrible

After 4 months penile numbness increased, and also my scrotum started to get numb!
It is lasting for 7 moths now and, unfortunately getting worse.

I am just in dispare and do not know what to do...

Nobody can say what is exactly going on, MRI is normal, and during palpation along the pudendal nerve - a feel no pain at all.

My new neurologist suggest that i have entrapment in my alcocks channel, and recommend me to make a nerve block with Diprospane (betamethasone), but all my problems started after the steroid (Triamcinolone) so i just do not know...

[Violet M]

Did you have an MRI to rule out any nerve impingements in the spine? You could try a nerve block with just marcaine (but no steroid) just for diagnostic purposes if you are worried about the steroid.

Do you have any idea what triggered your symptoms -- like heavy exercise or injury?

Violet

[Morterwind]

Violet thank you for your reply!
yes, i had MRI of the low part of the spine - 2 neurologists says that everything is almost perfect there, and spine is not the problem.
My greatest problem - is numbness, burning usually is rather bearable (i can sit at work, sleep at night, walking and so on), on weekend, when i sit in comfortable soft armchair, relaxing - there might be no burning at all during all the day.
What is the trigger? it is interesting... my symptoms developed like that:
1. Jan. Running on cold weather - begining of the problems - slight burning and pain in testicle and penis
2. Feb.Compress with steroid (Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)+Triamcinolone+Hyaluronidase) - penile numbness, great increasing in burning, burning spreaded to bladder, inguinal crease, inner thighs. Complete ED.
3. March-April. Burning completely disappeared for 2 months, there was only penile numbness, returning about 70% of erection quality. The main idea that doctors (and me) have - i just locally damaged sensory nerve in penis after compress.
4. MayI was rollerblading for 1 week everyday rather hard and add some pelvic stretchers (to increase blood flow) and than i had a terrible flare up! Burning comes back stronger than ever, and also, that is most terrible, scrotum became less sensitive, and penile numbness increased. Erection quality drop down to 30-40%, even with cialis daily...
5. June-JulyScrotum lost sensations, penis is almost completely numb, can only slightly feel the tip of the penis. Burning almost everyday. Sometimes burning in my feet.

I just do not know, will i get any information after block with marcaine... If you have constant pain - and get relieve after block in the tunnel, it is logical that you have entrapment, but with numbness and "unstable" burning?

Currently i am just in dispare i am afraid that it is permanent, the only option that doctors advice me - is blocks with steroid, or just waiting+get vitamins and antioxidant.

(for me it is interesting, does anybody solve the problem with numbness with steroid blocks? )

[Violet M]

Mortarwind,

I think it could be significant that stretches caused you a flare-up because it could be an indication that the nerve is compressed and you may have experienced a stretch injury if the nerve cannot glide freely. I experienced flare-ups after stretching.

If you have burning then possibly a nerve block would be diagnostic but I can see how it wouldn't tell you much if you have just numbness with no pain. Can you find a physical therapist who can evaluate your pelvic floor and who knows how to treat people with pudendal neuraligia? I don't know if they have anyone trained in this area where you live. Maybe some myofascial release would be helpful?

Violet

[Morterwind]

I consulted with other neurologist, who deals with pudendal nerves, and his opinion that nerve blocks with steroid gives relive is short period, but long-term effects is negative, and do not recommend to do it at all, so i just do not know, for me it was like some kind of treatment plan

In Russia it is very difficult to find specialist who knows anything about pudendal neuraligia. And we have no special pelvic floor therapist...
I consulted with 2 manual therapist/osteopath - i am not sure about their qualification, but they found my pelvic floor muscles in good shape, with no spasms, no painful "trigger points".

What is interesting, MRI specialists found veins in my pelvic very dilated, and everybody says that it is strange and abnormal, especially in my age, but no one can tell me is there any connection with neuraligia?

[Violet M]

Well, that's good that the pelvic floor muscles aren't in spasm. So probably myofascial release of the pelvic floor from a pelvic floor physiotherapist wouldn't be helpful then.

There are some doctors who say that an enlarged vein can press on the pudendal nerve and cause pudendal neuralgia. Dr. Possover published about it and Dr. Hollis Potter has reported in MRI's that varicose veins can press on the pudendal nerve. Some doctors will perform embolization on abnormal blood vessels to try to relieve the symptoms of pudendal neuralgia. I don't know if yours are in the area of the pudendal nerve or one of its branches. Do you know?

Violet

[Morterwind]

Well, i just come back from ultrasound, specialist tried to find out, is there any abnormalities in my pudendal channel, but his conclusion - that there is no problems here, and also left and right side looks the same.
The problem is, i am not 100% sure about his conclusion and qualification, he does not like to answer the questions
As far as i understand - MRI specialists could not see is there dilated vein in my pudendal channel on my current MRI... I will try to ask my neurologist about "targeted" 3T MRI to pudendal chn. area, my be this will tell something.

Right from begining a am hearing about veins, may be this could be a good idea to look deeper to blood vessels.

[Violet M]

Good luck Mortarwind. It is often a puzzle trying to figure out the exact problem.

Take care,

Violet

[Morterwind]

Violet, thank you for you support!

i did not found any stories about anyone who succeed with penile numbness and ED... I am really scared that i have only negative progress during this 6 months, my penis is just like a piece of rubber...

I am 32, i have no wife or girlfriend, nothing is holding me, I do not want to live in this condition, i am really thinking to quit this all.

[Mod 15]

Dear Morterwind,

The HOPE forum is a place that we try to make as a safe haven for individuals to share their journey, experience and feelings. However, we become very concerned and take very seriously when someone on the forum make any statements that hint at any signs of suicide. In your last post your following statement concerned me:

"I am 32, i have no wife or girlfriend, nothing is holding me, I do not want to live in this condition, i am really thinking to quit this all.

Please know that we are here for you but we are not trained mental health professionals. If you are having any suicidal thoughts please contact your family doctor, go to your local ER or call "The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline" at 1-800-273-8255.

Mod15