Anyone out there diagnosed with Pudendal Neuralgia?

Posted by LeighO57 @leigho55, Jun 5, 2018

I have not been on connect for quite a while since I have only recently received a diagnosis (one of many probably to come) I am looking for someone/anyone who has the pain from a surgical injury of sorts to this nerve to talk to. Is there anyone out there with Pudendal Neuralgia on connect? Thank you!

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Yes, I have it along with many other nerve problems,

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I had a failed spine surgery in 2013. L3/4. Struggled walking, etc. Then in 2019 started forget problems in pelvic area. Also walking became more difficult, now having problems at L4/5 as well. Yes, I think it has to do with failed back surgery.
The whole situation is hopeless for me. Had 2 nerve block without success - to the contrary, made it worse. Not just for the 2 weeks I was told about, but now more painful than before. No options by Mayo offered besides Gabapentin plus Valium, rehab (which I do) and going for 3 weeks to their pain rehabilitation program. Daily from 8am until 5pm. With the symptoms I have, that’s something I can’t do. Even more stress!!
I am in an impossible situation.

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@hennykatz

I had a failed spine surgery in 2013. L3/4. Struggled walking, etc. Then in 2019 started forget problems in pelvic area. Also walking became more difficult, now having problems at L4/5 as well. Yes, I think it has to do with failed back surgery.
The whole situation is hopeless for me. Had 2 nerve block without success - to the contrary, made it worse. Not just for the 2 weeks I was told about, but now more painful than before. No options by Mayo offered besides Gabapentin plus Valium, rehab (which I do) and going for 3 weeks to their pain rehabilitation program. Daily from 8am until 5pm. With the symptoms I have, that’s something I can’t do. Even more stress!!
I am in an impossible situation.

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Mistake, started to get problems, not forget.
Also, being on a high dose of Gabapentin is affecting me.

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My SCS got rid of this pain for me. But you must be prepared to work with techs to get the settings just right after initial placement if needed. Any changes in the settings must be left for 48 hours before changing to different setting. If you decide on your own to zip through settings, you are not giving your brain time to adjust and you will get no relief.
Lyrica and Cymbalta also give some relief but I am weaning off trying to see if SCS is effective alone.

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@pita444help

That would unfortunately be me.
I've had this problem for over 25 years. My pain is in the left tailbone and anus area. (How lovely).
Only relief has been Clozepam .5mg x2 per day along with Effexor which is an anti depressant. Her to help or talk. I'm back in this dreaded horse because of the opiod crisis and the doctor wanted me to get off Clozepam which I have been fir two weeks. I'm now just like it was day 1 with pain. I'm going back to Doctor to get back on them.

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My pain is on either side of my labia, and I also subjected to spontaneous orgasms every once in awhile.
That’s not a lie, and not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.

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Harley 22. With the spontaneous orgasms it sounds like you have a pudendal nerve issue called pgad. I don’t have it but have a friend who does and that is a characteristic symptom. Find a gyn or neurologist who is familiar with this nerve issue.

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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.

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@catrine0119

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.

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I am so sorry about everything you went through. Hopefully this implant will help you.
I have been dealing with severe pelvic pain, starting in 2019. Had everything checked out, MRI, image guided shots, but no change. The pain is awful!
I had read about dorsal root ganglion implant and mentioned it to my pain doctor here at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville. She told me that it was the wrong area for my pain.
I am dealing with bilateral pain of the pudendal nerve, take Gabapentin 3 times per day, but it does not really help.
Can you get me info of the manufacturer or who I should contact to try this treatment? As you know life is very difficult when dealing with this problem.
I hope you will continue to improve and wish you a lot of strength.

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I’m so sorry for your agonizing pain as well. My unit is from Abbott Labs, and I received the surgery from the Kansas University Spine Center. It was my doctor’s idea; I had no knowledge about it. It’s rather new. It’s not an easy subject to broach with others. I have two leads - one is for S2 and the other is for S3; both left, and I have an implant in my left flank (the size of a double stuffed Oreo). Every couple or few days, I am to increase each area by one. I feel the area and pain changing. Even if I get this pain down to 40%, that would be wonderful. I hope you find your answer!

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@catrine0119

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.

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I am experiencing very similar pain and I’m hoping someone will consider Elsberg syndrome as a possibility. I have just this week started standing at work using a lift for my desktop, but my sacral area still so painful.
So many tests and ultimately my neurologist ignored the zoster herpes extremely high. I’m never not experiencing pain or discomfort somewhere in my body. I’m even having bouts of burning mouth.
I hope the dorsal root ganglion implant provides you relief.

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