Well over 2 years now, my husband started having the following problems/symptoms after he took up riding a stationary bike a few times a week for exercise. He stopped riding but the problems have carried on and continue to be bad.
Complaining of pain in his "core" especially at night, lower back pain most of the time, bloating at night, feeling like he needed to pee several times at night but when he gets and tries to go, very little comes out. Involuntary erection that starts in the night and lasts the remainder of the night until he gets up in the morning and starts his day. It is not sexual in any way. During the daytime, his stomach is bloated and gets worse as the day goes on (dietary changes seems to do nothing).
The other day we went kayaking for about an hour and an half which involves of course sitting and using upper body muscles. He came home and was sick the rest of the day with pain and just generally feeling terrible.
Could this be PN?
Could hubby have PN?
Re: Could hubby have PN?
Hi Angie,
Your hubby is lucky to have you care enough to try to help him, and as hard as this is on him, I'm sure it must be hard on you too.
Whether or not it is PN, I can't say for sure. The involuntary erections and urinary symptoms could be caused by PN because the pudendal nerve is the primary nerve that innervates the penis and it also innervates the bladder sphincter. Other patients with PN have experienced similar symptoms. Personally I had the "need to pee frequently" symptom and PGAD (persistent genital arousal disorder) so I understand how incredibly distressing it can be. But often PN occurs with other problems such as sacroiliac joint dysfunction which can cause low back pain, and psoas muscle tension. It sounds like your husband is someone who likes to exercise. ( I am one of those people too.
) Are there other exercises he has done in the past that may have contributed to chronic ligament strain or muscle strain and tension that might be causing the core pain and lower back pain?
Sometimes spinal radiculopathies can cause similar symptoms so many of the physicians who treat patients with PN recommend that you have an MRI of the lumbosacral spine and possibly the lumbosacral plexus and pelvis. Also, an evaluation by a good PT who is knowledgeable about the pelvis and pudendal neuralgia is important. I don't know if your hubby has had any of those yet.
There have been numerous PN patients who complained of IBS-type symptoms but I can't say for sure if they are related to PN. I have had life-long chronic constipation accompanied by bloating and pain. I have pretty much solved that problem by eating a high fiber diet with lots of fruits, veggies, and seeds, and taking magnesium citrate tablets daily.
Violet
Your hubby is lucky to have you care enough to try to help him, and as hard as this is on him, I'm sure it must be hard on you too.
Whether or not it is PN, I can't say for sure. The involuntary erections and urinary symptoms could be caused by PN because the pudendal nerve is the primary nerve that innervates the penis and it also innervates the bladder sphincter. Other patients with PN have experienced similar symptoms. Personally I had the "need to pee frequently" symptom and PGAD (persistent genital arousal disorder) so I understand how incredibly distressing it can be. But often PN occurs with other problems such as sacroiliac joint dysfunction which can cause low back pain, and psoas muscle tension. It sounds like your husband is someone who likes to exercise. ( I am one of those people too.
) Are there other exercises he has done in the past that may have contributed to chronic ligament strain or muscle strain and tension that might be causing the core pain and lower back pain? Sometimes spinal radiculopathies can cause similar symptoms so many of the physicians who treat patients with PN recommend that you have an MRI of the lumbosacral spine and possibly the lumbosacral plexus and pelvis. Also, an evaluation by a good PT who is knowledgeable about the pelvis and pudendal neuralgia is important. I don't know if your hubby has had any of those yet.
There have been numerous PN patients who complained of IBS-type symptoms but I can't say for sure if they are related to PN. I have had life-long chronic constipation accompanied by bloating and pain. I have pretty much solved that problem by eating a high fiber diet with lots of fruits, veggies, and seeds, and taking magnesium citrate tablets daily.
Violet
PNE since 2002. Started from weightlifting. PNE surgery from Dr. Bautrant, Oct 2004. Pain now is usually a 0 and I can sit for hours on certain chairs. No longer take medication for PNE. Can work full time and do "The Firm" exercise program. 99% cured from PGAD. PNE surgery was right for me but it might not be for you. Do your research.