My pain started after contracting a bad virus in 2018. Whereas most everyone at work got a horrid respiratory infection, I slept for 3 days and was very weak. My body was attacked. 5 days later, this pain started in the rectum. Being a type A personality, I went to work with sitting pain. I was an accountant with a team of professionals, and my commute was about an hour each way. I used over the counter meds, ice and heat to get through for 8 months. The stress of working with this pain brought on shingles that erupted off the left side of my tailbone. Dr. put me on gabapentin and Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen which helped, but did not take all the pain away. Went back to work after a month (using up vacation time), and the whole deal of going back to sitting was stressful, painful and depressing. I stopped the painkiller and gabapentin as I had to drive, plus my job was cerebral - budget, year-end, audit and taxes. I had horrible stabbing, burning and spasms in the rectum. I went out on disability (it was so bad, I couldn’t do another day), and went to a pelvic therapist. She could break a muscle spasm, and dry- needle outside trigger points, but the pain would always come back. More shingles occurred; this time down toward the left labia. Then saw a new gynecologist, and she took 3 biopsies from the pelvic floor area. No cancer. Then I developed a strange skin disorder in the pelvic region which required clobetasol. My doctor put me back on painkillers, gabapentin plus duloxetine as I had post herpetic neuralgia. My immune system was shot. So now my whole left pelvic floor was in pain, even when laying down. I went through a series of cat scans, MRIs and therapy, but to no avail. I also had 4 image guided shots on my spine; no relief. I had always been a healthy, happy and hardworking person, but when the flares hit, I would pray that God take me. I’m not suicidal, and I would not wish this pain on anyone, but there were times when I thought if only the health providers could feel this for one day, there would be more understanding; maybe more research.
4 weeks ago, I had a dorsal root ganglion implant procedure. I had a successful trial, meaning my pain levels improved considerably. Right now, I’m going through that period of working with a representative to help me get the correct setting to alleviate the pain. It takes time and patience. I’m not there yet, but I have hope. Thank you.