Page 2 of 2

Re: PN- diziness, confusion and other symptoms

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:27 pm
by Question
Hey there - sounds like you might have PN but also your symptons are indicative of someting else. Have u had your blood sugar checked recently? Last year, I had a mystery illness/condition including dizziness, fatigue, panic attacks and a bizarre sensation of being hungover without having drunk alcohol. After much searching, and many misdiagnoses, it turned out I had reactive hypoglycemea, which is easily treated via diet. Although this sounds mild, I can tell u it is not when blood sugar drops below 3, which is what happened to me. Worthwhile looking into?

Re: PN- diziness, confusion and other symptoms

Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:48 pm
by Violet M
candice-marie88 wrote:I found some of my medication which I was taking a few months ago- 20mg citalopram, I also have some packs of 10mg so I have started taking 30mg a day to see if that helps me with my pain- so far no change and my symptoms have become worse. I am now suffering from extreme and strong aroused feelings which I can feel all through my body… they’re worst in my genital region and my thighs/legs/feet.. this is also creating a sickly feeling which travels up to my head and is causing me to feel like I can’t breathe… I keep feeling as if i'm about to have a massive orgasm and this is so uncomfortable and frustrating, causing further pain!! Anyone else had this and Is this harmful??
Candice, please be careful with citalopram because it can be harmful to your body to go on and off suddenly since it affects the neurotransmitters in your nervous system.

There are several suspected causes of the persistent feeling of arousal (PGAD - persistent genital arousal disorder) that you described. One of the suspected causes is that some people react to discontinuing SSRI antidepressants. Another cause is pudendal neuralgia. The feeling of about to have a massive orgasm is probably due to the muscles receiving incorrect signals telling them to spasm. In my case, it was caused by pudendal neuralgia and I am 99% cured since having PNE surgery. I'm sorry, I was never successful at relaxation exercises but hopefully someone else can help you out on that. One thing that helped me the most was ice -- including frozen ice balloons inserted vaginally. If you push them up against the ischial spine area which is the bone on the sides of the vagina it can help numb the nerve.

I noticed from Dr. Beco's video that the 4 people with PGAD that he did surgery on are now cured. So there's hope but you have to be pro-active in getting the referrals and treatments that you need.

Re: PN- diziness, confusion and other symptoms

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 3:04 pm
by calluna
I have just been catching up with this thread, and saw that you had restarted citalopram at 30mg - please please be careful! This med is usually started at a low dose and then taken up slowly over some weeks. It is not sensible to jump in at a dose like that.

Also citalopram is known for nasty side effects, including sexual ones - although not everyone gets them - and the changes to the way you are feeling could well be due, at least in part, to this med. Not sensible to self-medicate like this, really. Please take the dose down - gradually! - and see a doctor before re-starting it. What works for one person, prescribed by a specialist PN pain management doctor, is not necessarily going to be what works for you.

With regard to physiotherapy - I myself don't know of anyone who has had physio for PN here in the UK, and I don't think that any of us are necessarily going to be able to help you here. You have to be very careful not to cause more problems, and I really do think that your best bet is general relaxation. If you could borrow that book from the library, it would be a very good start and it would also help you with general pain management techniques.

You mention that your GP has told you not to come back for at least a month. And you also mentioned that you were registering with another surgery - this is in your university town? I do hope that you can get it sorted out soon and that things start to settle down again.

Right now, your best help is ice. And please take that dose of citalopram down too. And try to get hold of that book.

If you need someone to talk to about medical issues before you get your new GP registration arranged, remember there is NHS Direct. I have always found them to be friendly, helpful, and supportive. The number is 0845 46 47 48.

Re: PN- diziness, confusion and other symptoms

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:26 pm
by Torbjorn
HI Yes I have had all your symptoms and continue to do so. I wonder if it would be possible to find out anywhere on the net, if these other symptoms such as dizziness light headiness, achy sleepy. feeling overwhelmed by pain and everyday things. It would be great if we could find this added to the list of other conditions related to PN. I just think seeing it down in writing helps. Dint worry I often lie and think IM the only one in the world feeling like this. I think IT would be read a diary of someone with PN.HELEN