Choices, choices...now what?

[bishop]

I recently had a pudendal nerve block with lidocaine that gave me great relief for 6 hours and therefore my doctor believes I do have pudendal neuralgia or possible PNE. He has suggested that I consider 3 treatments for pudendal neuralgia: radiofrequency ablation, pudendal nerve stimulation and/or surgery. The one thing that freaked me out is that one of the possible side effects of radiofrequency ablation--although considered to be remote--could be some bladder & bowel incontinence. No way do I want that! Have you had any of these procedures? Also, I have an appt. with Dr. Hibner in August. I'm wondering if I just should wait until I see him to make a decision. Thanks for any input!

[Lernica]

That might depend on who your current doctor is. Is s/he known to our community?

[bishop]

I haven't seen his name in these forums. He is Dr. David Tauben at the University of Washington Pain Clinic in Seattle.

[Lernica]

Would he perform those procedures himself or refer you to someone else?

[bishop]

I am guessing that he would refer me to someone else. He referred me to Dr. Michael Gofeld for the nerve block. These are Dr. Tauben's credentials which I pulled from the UW internet website: "Dr. Tauben is a UW clinical associate professor and director of medical student education in pain medicine in a joint appointment with the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine and Department of Medicine. He provides specialty consultation and care at the Center for Pain Relief. He combines specialty skills and experience as both a primary care internal medicine doctor and a pain specialist to diagnose and treat complex and continuing painful conditions. He has particular expertise in the formulation of medication management plans for pain persisting more than three months. He is developing new programs for improved education and training necessary for long-term pain management in the outpatient primary care office setting."

It doesn't sound like he's a surgeon or a specialist in RFA...

[Violet M]

Haven't heard of too many successes with RFA. You might want to get some more medical opinions and read more about neurostimulation in that section of the forum.